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[What's Burning?]

"A lot of people don't know it, but Jackie was under a three-year gag order," said former Dodgers hurler Carl Erskine, a Brooklyn teammate during nine of Robinson's 10 years in the big leagues. "Mr. Rickey told him if a black player got into any fights, this would destroy the effort. He was to say nothing; no retaliation, physically, verbally, nothing. That was remarkable. Some Negro League players thought Jackie wouldn't make it because of his temper.

"Mr. Rickey wanted him to have that kind of fire, but he couldn't show it. He wanted him to take it out on the diamond."

The animosity is well-documented, from beanballs and being spiked to the use of racial epitaphs, and in one instance, an opponent tossing a black cat on the field.

"Anything was fair game to upset the opponent," Erskine said. "But they found out Jackie was so good under pressure they finally backed off. They realized the more they got on him, the better he did."

as if history doesn't repeat itself.

You don't have to be racist. Just root against the buy that's not as bright, can't manage tires, can't save fuel, can't understand the complicated steering wheel, isn't as learned as his team mate, doesn't have the finesse, is too emotional or hangs out with thug rappers. You tell yourself whatever story you want to believe. Not saying that all fans that despise the guy are racist, just saying that all racist would look for any excuse to despise the guy.

[sagi58]

Since you've brought Jackie Robinson into the discussion, you must know that he won/achieved
all sorts of accolades in the '50s, when he was a trailblazer in professional sports.

Notice, I did not say baseball, I said sports. He laid the road for many young athletes to travel,
regardless of the sport they chose. He was the one that had to face all sorts of challenges.

He is a true sports hero.

I don't believe there are many athletes that can be compared to him.

[What's Burning?]

I've no idea what it is you're saying or what that even means?

I'm comparing a black person being the first facing a greater difficulty than a white person. When was the last time pictures of watermelons in the White House lawn were sent around as "unofficial" Christmas cards? Lewis Hamilton is the first black F1 driver, because of that he has encountered difficulties and has had roadblocks placed before him that would not have been placed before him were he to be a white guy. It's just how it is and to deny it is in fact an unspoken declaration that you're either ignorant of history or have a racist sentiment.

But I'm done with the discussion, as there is no end with you, so feel free to have the last word so we can get the thread back on topic.

[racechick]

Didn't know where else to appropriately put this but found it interesting. Kimi and Jenson are the most popular drivers in the UK, who'd have thunk it.

This is a F1 Fanatic poll which would have a heavy UK bias, but the numbers are very interesting and does explain a lot when you read comments or forums as to why people have the opinions they do...

WoW!! Kimi and Button are BOTH bigger than Hamilton?? In the UK??
Go figure, eh?

Go figure what exactly?

[vaptin]

Careful of not reading too much into that poll, I'm surprised too to here he isn't the most popular driver in the UK look at say the support at Sliverstone. Is the BBCs Sports personality of the year a public vote as well?

[CookinFlat6]

Since you've brought Jackie Robinson into the discussion, you must know that he won/achieved
all sorts of accolades in the '50s, when he was a trailblazer in professional sports.

Notice, I did not say baseball, I said sports. He laid the road for many young athletes to travel,
regardless of the sport they chose. He was the one that had to face all sorts of challenges.

He is a true sports hero.

I don't believe there are many athletes that can be compared to him.

Now Ive heard it all. After Robinson EVERYTHING changed, and black sportsmen could journey along the easy road laid by Robinson who was a TRAILBLAZER that BLAZED EVERY SINGLE TRAIL that ever was and ever will be and so after that there were no more TRAILBLAZERS

Maybe Robinson had a GF like Kimis and Buttons who are ""acceptable""

Only on the Internet could anyone have such personal unawareness despite ""feedback""

[racechick]

Careful of not reading too much into that poll, I'm surprised too to here he isn't the most popular driver in the UK look at say the support at Sliverstone. Is the BBCs Sports personality of the year a public vote as well?

Yes it was a public live phone in vote on prime time TV, Much to the annoyance of the golfing fraternity and much of the British media.

[vaptin]

Careful of not reading too much into that poll, I'm surprised too to here he isn't the most popular driver in the UK look at say the support at Sliverstone. Is the BBCs Sports personality of the year a public vote as well?

Yes it was a public live phone in vote on prime time TV, Much to the annoyance of the golfing fraternity and much of the British media.

Yeha, and in that case he was up against general competition of sportspersons, and it's a far bigger poll.I think that's a better basis to go on than the F1 Fanatic Poll.

[CookinFlat6]

Careful of not reading too much into that poll, I'm surprised too to here he isn't the most popular driver in the UK look at say the support at Sliverstone. Is the BBCs Sports personality of the year a public vote as well?

Its understandable if one looks at the demographics of the UK. Jenson will be the default F1 driver for the public with casual interest in F1. He is on the TV adverts, has been around for a long time and is the recipient of a BBC led media blitz. Amonsgt housewifes and men of a certain generation (and inclination) Jenson is the acceptable Brit star.
Amongst the younger viewers and proper sports fans there will be no contest as was evident at Silverstone, I didnt see many kids rooting for Jenson although almost every blue rinse granny seemed to be. There are just not enough ethnic minorities into F1 and with the money in the UK to give Lewis any kind of edge there. And not ethnic minorities can be counted on support him just because. He might even have a problem with some black people preferring someone else because he is in a white sport (just speculating wildly here)

AFAIC the crowd at Silverstone over the years reflects the reality more - At the end of the day the causal follower is gonna say they follow someone from their town, or from their background (thats what uninformed people do in anything) and the followers who actually like the sports aspect will root for Lewis - but there are more of the former, and even amongst the later we have the Tifosi types who will blindly root for the "political" option

Hey, no one like MS much either

[Jabberwocky]

Are you saying that everyone on the F1 Fanatics have a casual interest in F1 and/or housewifes and men of a certain generation (and inclination)?
also that anyone who is not a Hamilton fan does not like F1?

[What's Burning?]

One thing is clear Vettel is the least popular of all the WDCs on the grid and it has nothing to do with him being black.

[CookinFlat6]

Are you saying that everyone on the F1 Fanatics have a casual interest in F1 and/or housewifes and men of a certain generation (and inclination)?
also that anyone who is not a Hamilton fan does not like F1?

I wasnt talking about the specific F1 fanatics poll, more responding to the wider question of Lewis' popularity in Britain. The Fanatics poll is too narrow to be definitive, but on the other hand is enough to possibly be reflective of trends in the much broader general population that I was referring to ( with some poetic licence Ill admit)

So housewives like Jenson - I am going by my personal experience here as well as the Mansell mania that has moved to jenson, also his adverts are aimed at dotty old senile grannys (bracing spacing wtf)

Men of a certain generation? that shouldnt need any corroboration to explain that the older generation are likely more comfortable with Jenson, simply because he looks more like the F1 driver they had right up to ermmm, 2007
Men of a certain inclination? 3 words - disturbingly good looking

Somehow I doubt a guy who comes along rapping like Ice T is gonna push these same buttons ( ) for these specific sample sets of the population that I brought up. Happily they are ONLY a segment and there are many other enlightened chaps like you and I who like Lewis and Jenson for SPORTING reasons

[Jabberwocky]

How much love does STR have

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

[racechick]

Are you saying that everyone on the F1 Fanatics have a casual interest in F1 and/or housewifes and men of a certain generation (and inclination)?
also that anyone who is not a Hamilton fan does not like F1?

I think he was saying that housewives and casual F1 viewers are more likely to be taken in by the media hype over Button and feel an affinity for the public persona he puts forward. They are also more likely to take at face value the inaccuracies that are frequently written about Lewis.

F1 Fanatic is a relatively small cross section of opinions and has Hamilton, Button and Raikkonen fairly close together. As we've said many times Hamilton polarises opinion. Kimi is praised and fondly spoken of despite doing all the things Hamilton Would be castigated for . Know your place boy! So the result isn't that unsurprising really.

[sagi58]

I've no idea what it is you're saying or what that even means?

I'm comparing a black person being the first facing a greater difficulty than a white person. When was the last time pictures of watermelons in the White House lawn were sent around as "unofficial" Christmas cards? Lewis Hamilton is the first black F1 driver, because of that he has encountered difficulties and has had roadblocks placed before him that would not have been placed before him were he to be a white guy. It's just how it is and to deny it is in fact an unspoken declaration that you're either ignorant of history or have a racist sentiment.

But I'm done with the discussion, as there is no end with you, so feel free to have the last word so we can get the thread back on topic.

I wanted to point out that you are comparing a Black person in the 1950s and the challenges
he faced with a Black person more than 60 years later. I know enough about history to know
that's not possible, considering the differences in eras and values that have occurred since
Jackie Robinson first swung a bat.

Please note, I'm not saying that racism doesn't exist; but, that everyone faces challenges in life.

As for Hamilton, he has encountered difficulties that may be attributed to his ethnicity; but, don't
he also had advantages that very few have (regardless of heritage) by being Ron Dennis' protege.
Advantages that opened doors and gave Hamilton the opportunity to be where he is today.

It would seem that Ron Dennis wasn't interested in the colour of his skin; but, he was interested in
developing Hamilton's talent.

So you see, NOT everyone is racist and NOT everyone has it in for Hamilton because he's not white!!

As for the watermelons on the White House lawn, you'll have to pardon me; but, whomever created
that piece of garbage should be charged with stupidity, compounded with a lack of morals. That's
not about the freedom of speech, which your country prides itself on, that's blatant racism and
should be addressed as such, by the proper authorities.