Lewis Hamilton Is Cancelled After Shaming His Nephew For Wearing A Princess Dress At Christmas
27 December 2017, 11:09 | Updated: 27 December 2017, 11:28
The racing driving has been forced to apologise but people still aren't happy for this very good reason.
Christmas traditions we like: roast dinners, receiving presents and watching crap films with the family. Christmas traditions we don’t like: Christmas cake, giving presents and casual bigotry from extended family members.
Sounds like at least one of those happened on Christmas day at Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton’s home this year.
Hamilton is facing a huge online backlash after posting a video on his Instagram in which he confronts his young nephew for wearing a Disney princess costume on Christmas Day. In the video, the four-time world champion says to his nephew, who is obviously overjoyed with his costume, “I'm so sad right now - look at my nephew." The camera then cuts to the child in this (fabulous) costume and Lewis asks “Why are you wearing a princess dress? Is this what you got for Christmas? Why did you ask for this for Christmas? Boys don’t wear Christmas dresses.”
It wasn’t long before people started calling him out for shaming his nephew in such a public way.
Oh dear Lewis. You’ve just opened a can of worms... pic.twitter.com/fpsiNeOZrd
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
The kid looks genuinely happy! Just let him enjoy his little life without having social norms imposed on him
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
I don’t care what Lewis’ beliefs are, you can’t publicly put down a CHILD for innocently liking what they like or wanting what they want, especially when you’re an icon and someone who kids look up to, respect and admire
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
We totally agree.
Lewis responded the next day apologising for his comments, claiming that, "I love that my nephew feels free to express himself as we all should."
Yesterday I was playing around with my nephew and realised that my words were inappropriate so I removed the post. I meant no harm and did not mean to offend anyone at all. I love that my nephew feels free to express himself as we all should.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 26, 2017
My deepest apologies for my behaviour as I realise it is really not acceptable for anyone, no matter where you are from, to marginalise or stereotype anyone.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 26, 2017
I have always been in support of anyone living their life exactly how they wish and I hope I can be forgiven for this lapse in judgement.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) December 26, 2017
Ok then.
Except some people thought his apology rang hollow, considering he was still liking tweets from people saying he had done nothing wrong.
Get yourself a douchebag sports personality who can do both. pic.twitter.com/LGBO4EglbV
— Chris Godfrey (@ChrisPJGodfrey) December 26, 2017
Also, it’s Boxing Day and he’s sat there reading every reply to him and liking anything remotely positive. Chat to your family mate!
— Chris Godfrey (@ChrisPJGodfrey) December 26, 2017
Lewis probably thought he was having an innocent joke with his nephew. But by uploading the video to his Instagram, he revealed how tone-deaf he appears to be when it comes to the toxic effects that enforcing gender stereotypes can have on young children.
As many people have noted in response to the video, queer kids face a lot of hostility while exploring their identities and are picked out or targeted for not conforming to what it is expected that a boy or girl should do or be. This undermines their self-esteem and forces them to feel shame for being who they are. This can be deeply traumatising and have serious consequences later in life.
There are some people who feel that the reaction to Lewis' video has been over-exaggerated and, while that might be the case, we hope the experience has taught Lewis and others how harmful to children those comments can be, even if you think they are light-hearted.
Also, perhaps Lewis should think twice about his own wardrobe before commenting on others.
imagine Lewis Hamilton roasting your outfit lol pic.twitter.com/8UTAniFbYN
— Joanna Fuertes (@FUERTESKNIGHT) December 26, 2017
Personal fave pic.twitter.com/S2qr3iTyVJ
— DAL (@dalchodha) December 26, 2017
Absolute state of it pic.twitter.com/QSnH3b5hsD
— mitch (@limitedmitch) December 26, 2017
Lewis Hamilton nervous that if his nephew wears a dress there might be a member of his family who isn't dull as fuck.
— Romesh Ranganathan (@RomeshRanga) December 26, 2017