To be disgusted about Prince Charles racist comments...

[Saywhatnoway]

... and the fact that what would be headline news for any other public figure has being played down?

Yesterday, Prince Charles told a woman of Guyanese extract that she “didn’t look like she was from Manchester”. The article linked was on the Guardian front page in middle of the night - and now almost impossible to find. I can’t find mention of it anywhere else.

So AIBU to be disgusted that he (or anyone of normal intelligence) would think, much less say such a thing - and disappointed (not sure if that’s actually the right word) that the media doesn’t seem to be reporting in the way they would if anyone else had said similar?

www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2018/apr/19/prince-charles-brown-skin-british-people-head-of-commonwealth?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks, I apologise for sounding techy.. I suppose the easiest way to explain it is that my ethnic origins are not from here.

It would be a completely different issue if someone said that they felt I did not 'belong' in England.

Exactly.

I belong here but my origins are not from here.

Actually, like most of my DC's friends, but I've just realised none of my friends. None of my non-white friends were born here. That might just be because of the part of London I live in.

@user1492877024 I'm with you. My brain is also so small and simple that I too haven't the energy to hold more than one thought at a time. Or indeed care about more about one issue at a time. It is exhausting isn't it! I reckon we should all take a leaf out of your book; you clearly are doing your bit for Ethiopia, the DRC and diplomacy with Russia all whilst managing to post on Mumsnet. I wonder when the nobel peace prize awards are accepting entries because I'd like to nominate you. I'm going to go and lie down with a cold towel on my forehead and ponder about how I can be more like you. #MyHero

Comments pointing to 'professional outrage' are not just really lazy and dumb but are insulting to those of us who often face the kind of crap that Prince Charles apparently displayed.

My dh's is from the Middle East and my dcs are often told they don't look English. I don't see the big deal.

softcentre Thanks for explaining. I guess I only have a problem with the people who don’t know me and demand an answer.

I’m not embarrassed by the fact that my mum is not from here, I often tell people I know and talk about it. I talk about my gran a lot too. I just don’t like that people assume I’m not from here because of the colour of my skin, especially when half my heritage is Scottish and I was born here.

I went to a wedding not long ago and it was nice, there were people from all over the world there. They were celebrating the fact, by announcing the country and then people were to raise their hand to show it was them from that country. They announced the country my mum was from and my initial thought was “cool there’s people here from the same country as my mum”. I looked around to see who it was and the bride was pointing at me saying “it’s you!” Lol! At least it was good natured.

The story's now gone wider - Daily Mail and People among others, have picked it up today.

What's the daily mails perspective?nasty furriner/mancunian picks on charlie

I just don't get the outrage. I'm mixed race, and always happy to talk about my roots. Because I DON'T look like an indigenous native person of the British isles. Can anyone explain to me why I'm supposed to be offended by anyone suggesting that perfectly normal fact because I just don't see it.

MotherofDinosaurs I might not get the explanation 100% correct but this is my take on it.

I am also mixed race, FWIW.

The thing is no-one 'looks' like they are from Manchester - they might sound like it but even those that do sound like it might not actually be Mancunian or indeed even be English. I too am always happy to talk about my origins. I too don't look like a native English Brit but then again some of my European relatives with white skin, blue eyes and blonde hair are not English though they might speak fluent English with an English accent.

The problem arises when the so-called leader of the common-wealth, a man whose father thinks nothing of making nigh on racist remarks deems it acceptable to casually drop into conversation that someone that's told them that they are from Manchester decides to retort: "Well you don't look like you're from Manchester". Considering this person is a POC makes it a very dog-whistle racist remark. It makes it even more pertinent that this is a white highly privileged person making the remark in the first place.

My exH was Dutch, blonde hair and blue eyes but spoke English with a heavy accent. Who was to know where he was from - he could arguably pass for any European country. I am racially ambiguous so could arguably be from anywhere.

It's about looking like you 'belong'. The problem is that of course she doesn't look Mancunian but she is. Similarly to those that have said on this thread that they are from elsewhere but consider themselves to be xyz. In his position he should know better than to make such comments. He should just smile and nod along without making that woman feel like an alien in a place she considers home.

I personally think the Commonwealth is a huge pile of wank. It'd have been more helpful had the Brits not conquered and raped and pilfered from two of my nations but here we are. He needs to be held accountable on two counts: 1) He is supposed to be the next monarch of this country and 2) He should know better how to make polite conversation and chivvy things along without offending brown people.

@VladimirsPoutine

"I personally think the Commonwealth is a huge pile of wank."

Intelligent and considered post.

Though my skin is white and people do still ask me. All the time so it isn't just skin colour, perhaps its my name or that they just think I am not English, though assumptions vary from Spanish to Malaysian so who knows what is going through people's minds.

The whole royal family are racist imo, just some wisely keep their thoughts to themselves. I'd be amazed if queenie herself didn't have racist views. This is the appalling family that we throw millions at every year.

VladmirsPoutine

You do yourself a disservice by saying your brain is so small and simple. I do not believe that for one minute. Indeed, it might not be as well developed as most of us on here, but I do not accept your small and simple description. I accept your praise but can't help but think that nominating me for the Nobel Peace Prize is going a tad too far. Are you okay ? (head tilt)

@user1492877024 A 'head tilt'. You are so simple of mind it is rather hilarious. Piss off.

What a great way to promote a book, she thought.