The boss of a successful British Formula One racing team is being accused of homophobia and racism in a complaint filed with a British employment tribunal. Peter Boland (right), 27, claims he was fired by McLaren Mercedes head Ron Dennis of firing him because he’s gay. McLaren Mercedes is known for their driver Lewis Hamilton, who isn’t just the youngest driver in British Formula One history, but also reportedly the first black driver (he’s half black). Hamilton could be called to testify.
According to the Daily Star:
The hearing was told [Boland] was dismissed from his £32,000-a-year job in 2007 and the rumors [that he was gay] - allegedly spread by management - led to unwanted advances from a male colleague. Mr Boland is claiming unfair dismissal, discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, victimization and post-termination discrimination against Ron Dennis and three of his companies.
The complaint also alleges that Dennis made anti-Arab remarks, namely that he needed to wash his hands after meeting with so many Arabs on a business trip. Oh the irony of calling a man who hired the sport’s first black driver a racist.
on Jan 6th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Why is it ironic? I’m rather shocked that you would be either this naive or cynical to say such. Just because someone isn’t racist against a black person doesn’t mean that he or she isn’t racist against another group.
For instance, conservative scumbag John Derbyshire of the National Review is well known for his anti-black racism but Derbyshire is married to an Asian woman.
Moreover, just because someone hires a person of color doesn’t mean that person isn’t racist. A racist might hire a non-white Mexican because he or she is cheap labor but then treat that person terribly.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Derbyshire
on Jan 6th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I said it’s ironic. I didn’t say it isn’t true.