As F1 fans, I think there’s something we need to discuss: Why not kneeling isn’t okay, specifically with Valtteri Bottas. https://twitter.com/f1vroom/status/1383554335880060930

Bottas kneeled last season, but not now. Why? Well, the reason is in the video above:

“He prefers for his actions to speak in other ways rather than kneeling”

It’s also highly speculated that it is to play “mind games” with Hamilton.

So, why isn’t not kneeling acceptable, specifically here? Well, I’d like for you to keep in mind that George Floyd’s murderer was found guilty of all charges. How did we get justice? Protesting. https://twitter.com/aclu/status/1384615064322330626

I will repeat: This is proof PROTESTING WORKS.
“I want to show actions not words.” just doesn’t make sense. Without social media, spreading awareness and protests, George Floyd wouldn’t get justice.

And a huge part in that is people with platforms speaking up. Celebrities, role models - like F1 drivers are for many. Lewis Hamilton started protesting and luckily, F1 started a campaign. No matter what you think of it, that brings awareness to a HUGE amount of people.

The #EndRacism campaign has been highly criticized - and should be - but it helps a little bit.

However, it doesn’t spread awareness in any way close to the drivers and teams protesting and standing specifically with the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Kneeling is a small act, but one that makes a difference. It brings attention to the movement and makes people educate themselves on why they are protesting.

THIS is how you bring awareness to specific cases, to what happens - To things like the murder of George Floyd.

Kneeling is one of the best ways they bring awareness and show support, apart from of course speaking up in interviews and online and like Lewis Hamilton did by wearing this shirt to bring awareness to the Breonna Taylor murder.

So, not kneeling, which is one of the primary acts you can do to show that you don’t just want to #EndRacism but support #BlackLivesMatter is like showing you don’t support or believe in the movement.

Here is proof it means they don’t stand with BLM.

So excuses, specifically Bottas, is just bs. Kneeling IS an action you can take, why would stop to “Speak in other ways” ?

Plus, when have Bottas done the actions he supposedly wants to take? https://twitter.com/f1vroom/status/1383554335880060930

There are more drivers that don’t kneel, explanations that have with culture and religion to do.

That’s an important discussion too but I want to make sure we highlight this as his excuse is one I see often.

We need to speak up. We need to stop sugarcoating.

We need to stop seeing it as just “mindgames” because it’s means much more than that, intentional or not.

Here’s the drivers that kneeled and those who didn’t in Bahrain 2021.

Conclusion/Summary:

PROTESTING WORKS. Kneeling is protesting.

To kneel is to show that you support #BlackLivesMatter and to stand is to show that you don’t.

We need to talk about all standing drivers, but I want to point out Bottas. He kneeled last season but not now. https://twitter.com/f1vroom/status/1383554335880060930

These are my opinions, feel free
to leave yours in the comments.

I’m doing this explain why not kneeling is wrong and how Bottas’ excuse is just wrong because it’s the excuse many make.

Thank you for reading through the thread! This was a long and serious one.

Make sure to read everything before commenting so there’s no misunderstandings :)