//TRIGGER WARNING: The following story contains language that may be considered offensive or triggering to some parties. Please continue with caution.//
(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)Source:AP
Over the weekend of the Portuguese Grand Prix, Twitter erupted with criticism over Lando Norris’s comments downplaying Lewis Hamilton’s historic 92nd race win. The incredibly vocal reaction prompted Norris to apologize not only to Hamilton in person but also publicly, on Twitter and in a press conference. Interestingly enough, Lando’s comments weren’t the only controversial ones that came about that weekend, they were just the only ones that were accompanied by a public apology.
Following an on-track collision between Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll, a fuming Verstappen came onto the radio and exclaimed, "Is this f***ing guy blind? What the f**k is wrong with him? Jesus Christ. What a retard. I have damage. What a mongol. I swear.". While the comment certainly gained some attention on social media, Verstappen never publicly apologized for his offensive language. Further, when later asked about the comment, Verstappen went as far as to say that it was simply not his problem if people took offense to the language he used.
In order to completely understand the weight of Verstappen’s comments, it’s important to discuss why language matters as much as it does. Language is constitutive, it builds with a focus on context, power, privilege and it is created within a political or cultural context. It produces meaning. Who we encounter, who we are, and what we make of ourselves is completely created and carried with language. Words are not merely words, they’re what makes our understanding of the world possible. Most importantly, language shapes thoughts, and thoughts shape our reality. Oppressive and offensive language, like the r-slur and the word Mongol (in the context it was used), enact violence and perpetuates oppression. In this case, Max Verstappen’s language is twice as powerful as an average person’s because of his immense social following. With just over 5 million followers on Instagram and Twitter combined, too many people are watching and learning for Verstappen to be using hate speech. So Max, yeah, it kinda is your problem.
So why is the word “retarded” offensive in the first place? Well, it’s not. The word retarded quite literally means to delay or impede the development or progress (Merriam-Webster). However, when the word is used to insult people with a disability or just to call someone stupid, it becomes a derogatory slur. The term was once used in a medical context to describe people with intellectual disabilities, a practice that was quickly discontinued when the word developed negative meanings. When using the word in the way that Max did, to criticize Lance Stroll’s judgment or intelligence, it completely suggests that he believes people with intellectual disabilities are stupid or flawed.
If you wanted to give Verstappen the full benefit of the doubt, you could argue that many people don’t even realize that the r-slur is derogatory. This wouldn’t be an incorrect statement, in fact, a majority of the most offensive statements have been generated in a place of ignorance. However, there truly is no excuse for ignorance in this case considering Verstappen is signed to a top level team in an international sport and has access to a full PR team and media training.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I myself have a unique privilege when it comes to awareness. Both of my parents work in different sectors of special education and I grew up fully immersed in a community full of kids with severe intellectual and physical disabilities. Through high school, I spent over 100 hours of volunteer service within the special needs community. Some of the smartest, kindest, most curious, and caring people I know have intellectual disabilities. Max Verstappen refusing to apologize for using the r-slur is not only offensive to people with disabilities, but it’s inherently hurtful to everyone who cares for or dedicates their time to helping people with disabilities.
Verstappen cannot claim ignorance as an excuse to defend against using the word “Mongol”. Again, when used as an insult, Mongol is not only ableist but racist as well. Mongol has historically had two meanings; one describes the people of Mongolia, the other used to describe a person with Down’s syndrome because of their looks. The first meaning is completely correct, while the second is incorrect and, again, offensive to both people with Down's and people from Mongolia. No matter which meaning Verstappen intended, the fact that he was using it as an insult is where it once again becomes derogatory. This was also not his first offense. In 2017 at the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen used the same term directed at an FIA steward following a track limits penalty. He apologized shortly after, but obviously didn’t learn his lesson.
Three months later, neither Red Bull Racing, the FIA, nor Max Verstappen have issued any further statements or apologies about the comments made. This is why the situation still bugs me. There appears to be no punishment, no accountability, and no remorse. At the very least, there should have been a public apology. The next step would be sensitivity training or some form of education. From there, I would argue it might do Max Verstappen some good to do some community service with (or for) people with special needs.
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