The British Royal Family: Race & Racism

[Osipi]

Since the days when history was clouded in the mists of time, there has always been the concept of "them" and "us". Differences that put "labels" on people. Some "labels" were set to elevate one kind of difference above another kind of difference to the "us" group while the "them" group thought the opposite. And so it permeated everything even up to today.

I think its more fitting to use the term "hate crime" rather than "racist". It simply could have been that Meghan was targeted for being "Western" or being "American" or for being in the "entertainment industry" and not because she's "black". Those that take action against anyone because of a "label" are doing so because they abhor those with a certain "label". Racism against people of color is actually one of many, many other reasons to dislike something about another person.

One way to solve this would be for a mass migration of entities from another planet somewhere that have three eyes and bluish skin and an ear on their forehead. That would definitely put all our biases against other humans into a unified "us" category with "them" now becoming the target of dislike because of being different.

 

[PetticoatLane]

From what I've read a similar package with white powder was recently sent to the Palace of Westminster, which houses both Houses of Parliament. Police are apparently investigating if they're linked.

If so, I'm not sure this is really about Meghan at all.

 

[Curryong]

But there was a racist message attached to the packet to Meghan/Harry.

 

[Osipi]

With the definition of racist being that "racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their race or ethnicity.", its very possible that the racist remarks were being generated to both Harry and Meghan because they're not of Middle Eastern descent.

Racism isn't something that is totally in black and white terms. We don't know the content of the message sent.

 

[ACO]

With the definition of racist being that "racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their race or ethnicity.", its very possible that the racist remarks were being generated to both Harry and Meghan because they're not of Middle Eastern descent.

Racism isn't something that is totally in black and white terms. We don't know the content of the message sent.

It is true we don't the details but of it is enough for them to launch a racial hate crime investigation then clearly what was listed was enough for them to consider it racist. It might just be as simple as that. I don't really get the need to dance around something obvious. Yes racism isn't just black and white but in this case with Meghan it seems it was very much that.

 

[MARG]

According to the press this incident is being treated as a hate crime. I didn't know there were hate crime laws in the UK. If they catch this guy or gal watch the lawyer say it was a joke or free speech or hope Harry and break up over this, especially if that person faces heavy jail time. All public fig

Probably some of toughest in the world. You only need to look at someone the wrong way to be charged with a hate crime in the U.K.ures face threats and people of color have the racial element thrown in.

If someone is caught and charged in connection with this crime if they have watched too many American TV crime shows they will find, to their utter dismay, that the law doesn't have a sense of humour and "jokes" such as this are crimes, e.g. saying you have a bomb on a plane or yelling fire in a darkened theatre. When they witter on about free speech, they will find there actually is no right to "free speech" per se.

Rudolph is correct that the UK hate crimes are some of the toughest in the world.

Any criminal offence can be a hate crime if it was carried out because of hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, transgender identity or sexual orientation.

When something is classed as a hate crime, the judge can impose a tougher sentence on the offender under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

The link below is to the Citizen's Advice where they really nail the subject.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/l...crime/what-are-hate-incidents-and-hate-crime/

 

[Osipi]

I just prefer to err on the side of caution and never put forward something that "seems to be" as a fact.

It is easy though to define a racist remark against Meghan though as being pertinent to her African-American heritage. It is the prevalent difference about Meghan that has been focused on since Harry began dating her.

Then again, there are many, many people out there that spend a lot of green dollars and hours in the sun to get the beautiful tone of skin that Meghan is blessed with and there are equally enough people in the world that should then spend too much time in the sun, resemble a lobster and will never attain that glorious complexion and wish they could.

I like to think those that are "racist" in any shape or form are those with a way of thinking that is on the decline.

 

[Zaira]

I am constantly amazed at the lengths people go to dismiss or blissfully ignore racism, and in Meghan's case, anti-black racism. Meghan was targeted because she is part black. Period. That is distinctive from the way other members of the family are targeted and new territory.

We know from reports for the past couple of months from royal reporters that security is tighter for Harry and Meghan than for other members of the family. Three guesses as to what makes Meghan different from other BRF brides to be? If Meghan was a white American I can guarantee you that the vitriol would be less. There are some very very deranged people out there---yes even more IMO than with Kate.

I am glad some people on here can be "color blind" but the world is not, and frankly I have yet to meet a person in my life whose racial biases don't come out eventually. Not all racist where hoods. Most are everyday good people who have been socialised to view POC a certain way, even if they do not or will not recognize it. I say this as someone who is part white and who loves my white family but also has dealt with their casual racism even though they will swear up and down that they are not and that they do not see color.

And racism isn't going away. Not by a long shot. I hear some of the most racist crap from people my own age and I am 25. It is in no way on the decline.

I truly hope Harry knows how to be ally to Meghan.

 

[jacqui24]

I agree that it's not helpful to dance around this subject and not call it for what it is. In Harry's statement when the story about them dating first came out, he clearly spelled out one of the problems being the racial undertones of opinion pieces and the flat out racist and sexist remarks by internet trolls. I think we can all agree that he wasn't talking about people of Middle East descent being racist about the European part of her heritage. Let's not pretend that her race hasn't been an issue since day one, and particular the African American part of her race that's been a problem for some. I'm not sure why some find it so easy to dismiss the racial aspect of how Meghan has been treated.

And Zaira, I actually didn't know that security has been tighter for Meghan and Harry than others. Where did you read that? Honestly, I don't know how they do this. They likely have been briefed on this right before the Edinburgh visit (we know the package was received the day before), and yet still carried out the visit knowing this. I'd be so frightened.

 

[cepe]

It is true we don't the details but of it is enough for them to launch a racial hate crime investigation then clearly what was listed was enough for them to consider it racist. It might just be as simple as that. I don't really get the need to dance around something obvious. Yes racism isn't just black and white but in this case with Meghan it seems it was very much that.

It is norkmal in the Uk for police to operate on the worse case scenario. Obvious example would be treating a death as murder but it might (after investigation) be manslaughter (2nd degree murder or less (I think) in the US).
So they will do the same here - added necessity because of who is involved. The letter was sent to both H and M and the content of the note might refer to both as well. They wont give out all the info.
She is very safe so little need for worry.

 

[Zaira]

I agree that it's not helpful to dance around this subject and not call it for what it is. In Harry's statement when the story about them dating first came out, he clearly spelled out one of the problems being the racial undertones of opinion pieces and the flat out racist and sexist remarks by internet trolls. I think we can all agree that he wasn't talking about people of Middle East descent being racist about the European part of her heritage. Let's not pretend that her race hasn't been an issue since day one, and particular the African American part of her race that's been a problem for some. I'm not sure why some find it so easy to dismiss the racial aspect of how Meghan has been treated.

And Zaira, I actually didn't know that security has been tighter for Meghan and Harry than others. Where did you read that? Honestly, I don't know how they do this. They likely have been briefed on this right before the Edinburgh visit (we know the package was received the day before), and yet still carried out the visit knowing this. I'd be so frightened.

Richard Palmer or Victoria Murphy mentioned in a tweet about either Brixton or Nottingham. I will go back and look for it. Sorry I can't provide the direct link rn.

 

[Panther2000]

Reporters have stated that racist material was addressed to Meghan. It's racism.

THANK YOU, i love how when the race issue comes up. People are quick to brush it off, or bring up other people and issues as a way to say no big deal it happen all the time.

And yes, other royal family members have also been under threat. However, Meghan as a little something extra that the other family members don't have to deal with.

I'am sure that the Royal family and their handlers will have any issues covered ( it is just a shame that they have too, or anyone has to deal with racist) .

I just wish that some could just walk in others shoes before being PooooPooooing on issues that they no nothing about. just be thankful that they don't have to go through those issues themselves.

 

[ACO]

It is pretty normal in most places to operate worse case scenario but that doesn't take away from the fact it's an obvious racial incident. Clearly whatever was written made them come to that conclusion. It being sent to Harry too means little cause being with a POC would typically make him a target of hate to a racist as well. They are going about it in the correct way.

I applaud the want to see things in a positive light be we know in reality it's just not. This not the first time Meghan has dealt with racist crap and it won't be the last. I mean just this month alone a man was banned from twitter and another fired from his job. Folks too comfortable these days.

It's a shame.

 

[LauraS3514]

And Zaira, I actually didn't know that security has been tighter for Meghan and Harry than others. Where did you read that? Honestly, I don't know how they do this. They likely have been briefed on this right before the Edinburgh visit (we know the package was received the day before), and yet still carried out the visit knowing this. I'd be so frightened.

Harry also has additional protection because of his service in Afghanistan. He has had a target on his back from the minute it was known he was there. Such is the world we live in.

 

[Panther2000]

[-][/-]

Probably some of toughest in the world. You only need to look at someone the wrong way to be charged with a hate crime in the U.K.

Omg, this speaks a ton,

 

[cepe]

[-][/-]


Omg, this speaks a ton,

It isn't just about colour - its about race, religion, sexual orientations and it protects women from harassment as well. Its one of the reasons why the #MeToo Movement has less traction in the UK. We have laws to deal with the issues.

 

[Osipi]

Sometimes too, things happen where not all the details are known and the immediate assumption is that its directed towards Meghan because she is biracial. We do not know that it is and until that aspect actually has been proven to be so, I'm not jumping on the bandwagon that she is being singled out this time because she is biracial. It, though, very possibly could be the reason because we have seen things happen before that were slurs towards Meghan because of her ethnicity. As Cepe has pointed out, the letter containing the white powder was sent to both Harry and Meghan.

No one is saying that racism and hate crimes don't exist in this world because they most obviously do still exist. There are just some among us that don't focus overly much on the racist mindset and look for it everywhere and anywhere. It happens in all walks of life, all cultures and all societies and all the corners of the world for myriads of different reasons.

Unless we all evolve into a species that think alike, act alike and hold the same truths in all things, there will be differences. Some people embrace the differences and value the person for who they are. Some people need to feel "superior" to other people in order to have self worth. Some people realize that racial slurs and bullying because one is "different" stems not from who they are but a problem that someone else has. I believe that Meghan falls in this last category. She knows who she is and revels in who she is and Harry loves her for who she is and slurs and insults and racial biases roll off of her like water off a duck's back because frankly, its not her problem but the problem of the person holding resentment. She's grown above the pettiness of racism.

Its plain human nature and the free will of the individual to see things how they perceive things to be. No one is better than the other in the way they think. They just think differently and sometimes the way they think is unacceptable to the rest of us.

 

[ACO]

I get what you are saying Osipi, I really do. I think people assume it is related to her race because so far most of the very public shaming of her has been due to it. As pointed out there have been quite a few things now covered by the press and I have very little doubts this is any different. Harry being included doesn't change much to me because I personally have seen people involved with POC be targeted on that alone.

I am glad that Meghan is comfortable in her skin and deals with this stuff well publicly (who knows how they are in private). It can't be easy for her. They all deal with a lot of crap but she has an extra layer that none of them will ever experience and I think it has been a real eye opener for that family. And to be real honest I remember watching Meghan during some of the Scotland engagement and felt she was a little distant at times. Knowing this was the day before kind of makes me see that day very differently.

 

[Osipi]

I think too with Meghan, a lot of her ability to dismiss taunts, slurs, insults and such stems from having to deal with it practically since day one. Its something she's grown up with and with having strong and loving parents that encouraged and loved her, she realized that other people's problems with who she is isn't her problem.

I can identify with this as I was such a child. Not because of skin color or race (that I know of at this time. Will know more in about a month. Did a DNA kit to determine just what my ethnicity is because I'm just so curious as I am the product of a closed adoption and was 3 weeks old at the time.) but for other reasons and to this day I can remember my dad impressing on me the fact that if people have a problem with me because of my "outside", its *their* problem and not mine.

Charles grew up being bullied and teased for the sole reason of his ears. A physical aspect of himself that drew attention to himself as being "different". He knows well what taunts and slurs and insults do to a person. We don't know what anyone's "extra layers" are and their experiences in their lifetime unless we actually take the time and the trouble to get to know that person.

The media isn't doing any favors to any of us by purposely filling their pages with any story they can find where Meghan is being dragged down for any reason. Its what they feed on though and all that does is ensure that everything "different" about Meghan gets pointed out. It is, to me, a form of bullying.

Perhaps all this attention to Meghan's biracial ethnicity will even lead to something good coming out of it. I can see where it would very nicely fit as a piece of the puzzle that all together forms the Royal Foundation's focus on mental health. This is what they do. They focus on problems that do exist and find ways to educate and support and encourage change.

 

[ACO]

Perhaps all this attention to Meghan's biracial ethnicity will even lead to something good coming out of it. I can see where it would very nicely fit as a piece of the puzzle that all together forms the Royal Foundation's focus on mental health. This is what they do. They focus on problems that do exist and find ways to educate and support and encourage

Interesting you bring that up because I felt the same way. I don't want her to only focus on race because there is more to her than that but I do think she has a unique platform where she can bring to light some racial issues the same way they focus on mental health. It is important and it is not going away so might as well start that dialogue.

 

[Osipi]

As I wrote that an image formed in my mind of a program for children called The Crayon Box.

I am older and remember adults from my childhood that deemed it OK and proper to be discriminatory to others not like themselves. I lived through the 60s and 70s as a teen and a young adult where protesting society's wrong ways of thinking were encouraged with heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr, Nelson Mandela and my hometown hero, Rosa Parks. I've lived through race riots in Detroit and have witnessed enough senseless violence to last me several lifetimes.

If Meghan and the younger set of royals can make any kind of a difference in changing things, I'm behind them 100%. Enough is enough.

 

[Madame Verseau]

I read over the story about the anthrax scare and I noticed a couple of things. The letter was sent to H and M on Feb 12, one day before their engagement to Scotland on the 13th. A few days later the two were spotted in London's West End. No one had a clue what went on previously. It shows security is on top of things and Harry and Meghan understand garbage like this will come with their union and it will not stop them from doing their duties and living their lives.

What struck me was the White powder letter to Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary. With the letters so close together I wondered if there is a common thread? Rudd is for the resettlement of young Syrian refugees. Anyone more familiar with British politics please fill in the blanks. Any influx of foreigners of color, through marriage and political act, is too much for some people and extreme measures are being used to intimidate. The main target is Rudd, the attack on Meghan is a distraction.

 

[Osipi]

The more we analyze and look at things, the more different "could be" explanations start to form.

We live in a world where senseless things happen for no reason such as shooting up a school and the shootings of random people in Vegas and cars and truck driving into crowds all over the place.

Fear is the aim and destruction is the game and the more people that live in fear, the better these dark minded people like it because it matches their own instability and discontent with things.

Beam me up, Scotty.......I've seen enough.

 

[soapstar]

I read over the story about the anthrax scare and I noticed a couple of things. The letter was sent to H and M on Feb 12, one day before their engagement to Scotland on the 13th. A few days later the two were spotted in London's West End. No one had a clue what went on previously. It shows security is on top of things and Harry and Meghan understand garbage like this will come with their union and it will not stop them from doing their duties and living their lives.

What struck me was the White powder letter to Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary. With the letters so close together I wondered if there is a common thread? Rudd is for the resettlement of young Syrian refugees. Anyone more familiar with British politics please fill in the blanks. Any influx of foreigners of color, through marriage and political act, is too much for some people and extreme measures are being used to intimidate. The main target is Rudd, the attack on Meghan is a distraction.

Julian Assange said he was sent a letter with white powder in early February. Donald Trump Jr. was sent one February 12th and Obama's DC office received one a day later on February 13th. So I'm not sure if we can say the main target was Rudd. The person sending these seems to be just randomly targeting public figures.

Whoever it is, I hope they catch them soon.

 

[Missjersey]

As I wrote that an image formed in my mind of a program for children called The Crayon Box.

I am older and remember adults from my childhood that deemed it OK and proper to be discriminatory to others not like themselves. I lived through the 60s and 70s as a teen and a young adult where protesting society's wrong ways of thinking were encouraged with heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr, Nelson Mandela and my hometown hero, Rosa Parks. I've lived through race riots in Detroit and have witnessed enough senseless violence to last me several lifetimes.

If Meghan and the younger set of royals can make any kind of a difference in changing things, I'm behind them 100%. Enough is enough.

Sign me up for The Crayon Box Osipi—that’s a brilliant idea. I remember the race riots too, just starting my teens when I lived up north. Senseless violence-it was so God awful. I think as you say, if these young royals can make some kind of difference bring it on.

 

[wbenson]

How absolutely frightening. I wonder if this is a copycat? Obama and Don Trump Jr. were also recently sent letters with a white substance.

Unfortunately it's a very common thing. This is a few years old, but as of 2012 there were more than 800 white powder hoaxes a year just in the USA.

 

[wyevale]

made them come to that conclusion

They ARE 'investigating'.. as in the PRESENT tense, which means [unlike SO many here] they haven't JUMPED to a conclusion yet...

Wouldn't it be great if we waited until they HAVE ?

 

[Royal Suitor]

Or wouldn't it be easier to accept the description that the police who have actually seen the message and are conducting the investigation have used, which is to call it a racist hate crime? It actually requires more mental gymnastics to call it something else at this stage. And the effort to do so (however well-intentioned) is mind boggling.

If the police have also called the Amber Rudd investigation a potential racist hate crime, then I will happily stand corrected.

 

[jacqui24]

They ARE 'investigating'.. as in the PRESENT tense, which means [unlike SO many here] they haven't JUMPED to a conclusion yet...

Wouldn't it be great if we waited until they HAVE ?

If I'm reading the articles correctly, they are investigating it as a racist hate crime. Which tells me they have enough evidence to draw that conclusion. The investigation is ongoing simply because they haven't caught the person or convicted yet.

 

[Kurenai24]

Or wouldn't it be easier to accept the description that the police who have actually seen the message and are conducting the investigation have used, which is to call it a racist hate crime? It actually requires more mental gymnastics to call it something else at this stage. And the effort to do so (however well-intentioned) is mind boggling.

If the police have also called the Amber Rudd investigation a potential racist hate crime, then I will happily stand corrected.

Mental gymnastics is the right phrase b/c so many have a hard time acknowledging what the many articles have stated which is that it is a racist hate crime, on top of that the need to bring up other incidents which have not been labled a racist hate crime to compare to this racist crime is also weird, just b/c this is another anthrax hoax does not mean there is a connection between all the recent ones.

The fact of the matter is, is that it seems people will bend over backwards to avoid labelling something racist or having to do with racism (despite it factually being stated so) b/c the word or rather label of racist is apparently worst than the actual act of racism.