The Lady Hussey racism thing

[Tiiiiiiiiiiired]

I am really conflicted about this.

If went to live in Japan (I did live there for 3 years several years ago) I would be expected to be asked about where I'm from because I don't look Japanese (and in fact I was asked many times! I didn't mind at all, it was my choice to be in Japan and I knew I didn't look japanese). If I chose to stay in that country and have children, I'd expect my children would be asked the same, and their children and that although they would be Japanese by birth, I would hope they would be happy to talk about their heritage and where they are from and not mind being asked why they don't look Japanese and what the history is. I wouldnt think it racist and wouldn't want such questions to be stopped because we only learn from others, and about others, by talking and feeling safe to ask questions.

So why in the UK does everyone have to be sooo careful with what they say? This woman has a non English name, was wearing some non western clothing, as was asked about her heritage. Why is this abuse?

We need to stop being so sensitive and allow dialogue.

Come on OP. Look at the transcript! It was a ridiculous interrogation.

This wasn’t about racism it was about manners.

Buckingham Palace would disagree.

So where you from?
No where are you really from??
No I mean where are you really really from??!
Come on be real tell me what you are???
No you're not where are you actually from??
BUT WHAT ARE YOU?

I think Palace was callous in their wording after 62 years of service they have been too happy to jump on the outrage from the media. The palace themselves are far from innocent, and trying to so quickly distance themselves smacks of hypocrisy. She would have worked alongside Prince Phillip, who said far worse, and no one said anything.

I think rather than cancelling her and speaking harshly it could have been deal with more constructively for all parties involved. Firstly the obvious apology, but then real change. She could have taken part in meaningful training then made active steps to heal the rift and show she understood the hurt.

As it is some will blame Ms Fulani and a bigger rift will be there, from those who consider it acceptable. For Lady Hussey to actually speak an apology then advocate for change in some way would have been really meaningful. A return visit, the place asking for ways to adapt their pro tool or be signposted to training. To hear they actually believed that change should happen, not a sound bite and mumbling behind doors. There’s lots of ways forward that could be effective in building bridges and seeing change. They took the easy route, without confronting the much much bigger issues that the Royals harbour. Get to look good at her expense, whilst ignoring the bigger issues.

The implication being BAME people aren’t proud of their heritage? Nice.

Nope. That is entirely your assumption.

It's true that NF could have headed the whole convo off earlier, but why should she? It is a bit like saying that, because she might expect this line of questioning, she should have her metaphorical papers ready for inspection.

If NF is accustomed (as she is, probably) to being quizzed by folks assuming that she's not properly British, then it wasn't unreasonable for her to suspect that that's where SH was going (as she was, it turns out). And in that case, why should the onus be on NF to offer up, obediently and in advance, all the info that SH might require?

Very well put

Ngozi is referring to it as a transcript

drives me batty

no, it’s not a fucking transcript. It’s YOUR recollection

So it’s on a Black woman to de-escalate racism?

People keep going on about the dress too, as if it were a big signal: go on, ask me! Look! All that shows is whether you live in a particularly diverse part of the UK or not. In Hackney or in Brixton that outfit wouldn’t stand out at all, nor signal “not from here”. But I’m guessing Lady H has been to neither of those areas.

We see you.

I always say 'I'm from <town> but my parents come from <neighbouring town>' of course, totally normal!

Like others have said, it was the persistent questioning that was offensive (as if to dismiss her as not British). You would think someone who has been in the public eye her whole life and must have attended thousands of events, would be able to ask a more open/interesting question (perhaps about her traditional 👗 ) than interrogate the poor woman. I dont agree with getting offended over every little thing, but the woman is British and shouldn’t have to stand there defending that fact. Perhaps its a generation thing and she didnt think her words were offensive, in which case, its probably for the best the younger ones are taking over the main royal engagements these days.

Ngozi Fulani said it was racist.
The other women present said it was racist.
The Palace investigated and called the remarks "unacceptable and deeply regrettable" adding "Racism has no place in our society".
Lady SH has apologised and resigned.

Why are people even arguing about this? It was racism!

This. In the light of what she's said about the RF I'm surprised that she didn't have the integrity to decline the invitation to the event.

Absolutely this.

Palace haven't disputed any of it...

Indeed. There are so many questions you could ask someone who runs an organisation to help women. I can think of many off the top of my head and it would have been a fascinating converstion. So many better ways of talking to a fellow human being doing an amazing job, but no.

So you think lady hussey would have asked the same set of questions of a white/European-looking person? She wouldn’t.

It’s not a transcript, it’s Ngozi’s recollection .

This woman is 85, what she said was racist and totally unacceptable but, due to her age, I don't think she should have been publicly humiliated as she has been. I've had similar comments about my appearance made to me. If it's an elderly person I completely ignore them and their outdated views. I don't know if they are starting with dementia, or are confused, had too many sherries etc. If it's someone younger of course I would outright accuse them of racism and make a complaint. However, if it was an elderly person, I'd just blank them and walk away. Lots of people have an elderly relative with outdated views or who puts their foot in it and we cringe but we don't want to see them publicly humiliated. She's not going to be around much longer and I certainly don't think she represents the views of King Charles and the other members of the Royal family, that's obvious by the way she's been got rid of so quickly.

Japan is irrelevant. Its racist, downright rude and socially Inept. She should know that having been with the queen for over 60 years.
What a vile woman.

I had read that her job was to brief the Queen Consort on the guests, not that SH was there as a guest to chat about the various charities with other guests.

So knowing about the guest was part of her job so she could introduce them or brief Camilla.

Fulani’s charity is for women of African and Caribbean heritage according to their website so if the conversation had been about the charity first then moved into this segment about Fulani’s heritage that could be why she asked further. If the conversation went in for 5-15 minutes a lot more was said before during and after than the few lines Fulani shared.

I would imagine are not wanting to get into a spat about this .

Corroborated by witnesses. Not denied by anyone.

I guess you are white. It’s very easy to say “this wouldn’t bother me at all!” when you haven’t actually experienced it.

you clearly have no experience or understanding of what it’s like to be constantly asked “where are you REALLY from?” after answering that I am London born and bred. as others have said, I can tell when someone is genuinely curious, and when someone is trying to make a point that they don’t feel I really belong here.

perhaps you should hold off deciding that it’s not racist, considering you don’t really know what you’re talking about.