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The Lady Hussey racism thing

1000 replies

Tiiiiiiiiiiired · 01/12/2022 10:58

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
CustardySergeant · 01/12/2022 11:47

Frabbits · 01/12/2022 11:10

The problem was that the royal refused to accept Fulani was british because she didn't look british.

Lady Susan Hussey is NOT royal!

DuchessOfPort · 01/12/2022 11:47

Ngozi Fulani has called the RF racist dozens of times. She was hoping for this. She has said the Duchess of Sussex was a victim of domestic violence perpetrated by the RF. She won’t have gone to this event without some hope she could trip someone up and criticise again.

if she provides to support to women of African and Caribbean backgrounds, how does she find out who is eligible for this? Does she ask them where they’re from?

she has also refused help to a mixed race abuse victim.

The Lady Hussey racism thing
The Lady Hussey racism thing
TheLeadbetterLife · 01/12/2022 11:48

HotWashCycle · 01/12/2022 11:42

An article in the Times today describes Lady Hussey as someone known by the palace as a safe pair of hands and skilled as any diplomat. Also sixty years by the Queen's side (the Queen being anything but racist) would suggest that Hussey would not be racist either. Reading the script of the actual dialogue, it does sound shocking and crass, and not something that anybody who was being careful would say. So I think there is a realistic possibility that this lady, knowing in herself that she was not racist, was being outgoing and friendly in her own way, and making, possibly overenthusiastic enquiries in an effort to connect, which backfired badly. If this is correct, she was not being careful in her choice of words precisely because she was confident about her lack of racism.

How do you know the Queen was "anything but racist"?

Vinvertebrate · 01/12/2022 11:48

I don't think it's racist to ask, but I think it's the persistence that has caused the backlash. One comment would have been forgiven, but that whole "where are your people from?" schtcik is pure "blood and soil" classism as well as racist.

Haven't heard that phrase since Mallory Towers circa 1981.

RaRaRaspoutine · 01/12/2022 11:48

When I make polite small talk with someone, I should not have to give citations for my existence.

Ladybug14 · 01/12/2022 11:48

Tiiiiiiiiiiired · 01/12/2022 11:09

I'd probably say 'well I was born in Osaka and my parents were born in Tokyo, but I see what you are getting at - you can see I don't look Japanese. Well, my grandparents came over here from England in the 19xx's as English Language teachers and loved it and stayed. I've never been to the UK but would like to go. Are your parents and grandparents Japanese? Anyone in your family migrate? ....' and see where the conversation goes.

I just think we can be so so easily offended these days. Who cares if a Japanese person can't understand I am Japanese even though I don't look it. It's ignorance not abuse. We move on. The older generations grew up in a different era, particularly in the UK and older person asking about heritage may do so clumsily, but if we ever want to move towards a more accepting and tolerant society, we need to call racist and abuser less, and start moving towards change through education and compassion

But if you were asked SEVEN times where you are from, would that be reasonable?

When you weren't giving the expected answer and you were asked SEVEN times over and over again, would that be reasonable?

When your answers weren't believed or heard or listened to and SEVEN times you were interrogated, would that be reasonable?

You, OP, in Japan , might be happy to give an answer to a similar question

Not everyone is you. Try to empathise

SEVEN fucking questions until Hussey got the answer she wanted
.
The utter imperiousness, the disgusting self-righteousness, the inappropriate touching..... and the racism

It sickens me

LadyVictoriaSponge · 01/12/2022 11:49

Feef83 · 01/12/2022 11:40

Lady H tweeted the conversation

I thought Ms Fulani tweeted the conversation not Lady H?

MaryMollyPolly · 01/12/2022 11:49

GyozaGuiting · 01/12/2022 11:42

I think I’m somewhere in the middle of this argument.
I don’t think it’s racism, I think she’s a rude conversationalist.
Any question asked again and again is just rude!
she didn’t say anything bad about her heritage or where she was from, or anything bad about black people. Which would be racism.
But she was rude.
I think this sort of debate takes away from the real issues to be honest, that racism DOES still exist, I’ve seen people be racist and it’s awful.
this debate plays into the right wing that ‘everything is racist these days and everyone is so woke’ so people are less likely to engage.

Of course it’s racism. It doesn’t matter if she didn’t say anything bad about race. She treated someone differently because of their race - therefore it’s racism.

VollywoodHampires · 01/12/2022 11:49

OverMyJeans · 01/12/2022 11:13

Ngozi was dressed in a way that was clearly meant to celebrate her African heritage. Which is clearly fine. She dressed in the same way on the TV today. But it's a bit odd to then get frosty when people take your choice of dress as a cue to ask about your African heritage.

The repeated questioning was insensitive and I can see why it bothered her, but at the same time Ngozi did create a bit of a situation by deliberately misunderstanding question the first time it was asked.

But it's a bit odd to then get frosty when people take your choice of dress as a cue to ask about your African heritage..

I agree with this comment.

I would like to know if Ngozi raised a complaint with Bucking Palace at the time, or used Twitter to highlight their exchange?

multivac · 01/12/2022 11:49

milveycrohn · 01/12/2022 11:41

It definitely seems racist to me.
However, there are a few queries I have.
She should not have moved Ms Fulani's hair, but presumably a name badge is meant to be seen, so if given a name badge, make sure it can be seen. In this instance, they are both at fault, but Lady Hussey should have asked her name, rather than touch her hair.
I understand that Ms Fulani was wearing some kind of African heritage dress, rather than the typical wear of other British (white or otherwise) guests. In which case, I would be interested to know the background of the dress. Which heritage the dress is from; and was that the same. Otherwise, nowadays, we are often told we cannot wear costumes or clothes from other countries, without it being described as cultural appropriation. Therefore my assumption is that Ms Fulani had some kind of cultural heritage from the country of the typical clothes she was wearing, that could in itself invite some questions.
However, not the questions asked, and it was clear from the first reply, that Ms Fulani did not want to elaborate further.

She was wearing a sparkly animal print pinafore frock over a long sleeved tee. An outfit I might choose. I don't think anyone would assume it to be an 'African heritage dress' if I wore it though.

Readinginthesun · 01/12/2022 11:50

Feef83 · 01/12/2022 11:40

Lady H tweeted the conversation

Was it not Ngozi who tweeted it ?

Jackofallsorts · 01/12/2022 11:50

Her overall approach to the guest at the event (she was co-hositng) is the main issue. She would never have continued with the line of questioning if the person was white.
Whether is was technically racist is another matter.

iklboo · 01/12/2022 11:50

and I hope that CCTV footage shows that the exchange was a minute or two at most (not the 15 mins claimed) and that you could see both women chatting and laughing etc

Do you honestly think they were 'chatting & laughing' through this exchange?

Feef83 · 01/12/2022 11:50

MaryMollyPolly · 01/12/2022 11:49

Of course it’s racism. It doesn’t matter if she didn’t say anything bad about race. She treated someone differently because of their race - therefore it’s racism.

Out of interest - what are your thoughts on positive discrimination?

SinisterBumFacedCat · 01/12/2022 11:51

Wiluli · 01/12/2022 11:43

Let me guess you are white mid 40s woman telling others what racism is ? Okkkkk
it was racism , she insisted , she has no right to even ask her a second time . She is racist just as Prince Philip was just as most of the older members of the monarchy are . Being old is no excuse to be a vile racist ! Not anymore

Why don’t you just say “Karen”? Ageism and misogyny are perfectly acceptable these days.

itsnotmeitisactuallyyou · 01/12/2022 11:51

Tiiiiiiiiiiired · 01/12/2022 10:58

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.

Did they ask you in a racist way? Did they go on and on about where you were from in a racist way?

Feef83 · 01/12/2022 11:51

iklboo · 01/12/2022 11:50

and I hope that CCTV footage shows that the exchange was a minute or two at most (not the 15 mins claimed) and that you could see both women chatting and laughing etc

Do you honestly think they were 'chatting & laughing' through this exchange?

i don’t believe it happened anywhere near like what is being suggested

Televivi · 01/12/2022 11:51

Squeezita · 01/12/2022 11:42

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

I’m very proud of my heritage, but that doesn’t mean I want to satisfy people’s casual, relentless curiosity about it. It may be the first time you are asking me, but it’s the thousandth time I have been asked and it’s boring and offensive to be asked where I’m really from.

Exactly.

Op's thread title says it all. This racism thing. So ugly, we see you.

FedUpwithItToday · 01/12/2022 11:51

I think she is being totally disingenuous.

On the website Future Hackney the first line of her profile says this:

Ngozi Fulani
My parent’s came to London from the Caribbean and most of their children were born here. Seven children...

The she goes on to describe how her father discussed and taught her about her African heritage.

She was pretending not to understand Lady H.

Why have a web page about yourself and the very first thing you mention is your parent's Caribbean heritage, yet you pretend not to understand someone asking you about your family roots?

Feef83 · 01/12/2022 11:51

Readinginthesun · 01/12/2022 11:50

Was it not Ngozi who tweeted it ?

sorry typo on my part

Squeezita · 01/12/2022 11:52

OverMyJeans · 01/12/2022 11:46

She was basically told she was lying about where she was from because the woman was looking at someone black and refusing to accept that she was born in Britain.

And actually, I think this is the key to the whole situation. From Ngozi's perspective, her blackness in a white country is a standout feature, and her experiences are seen through the lens of being in that minority. Which is entirely valid. But it doesn't follow that non-black people see everything through the same lens - surely from Lady Susan's white majority perspective, the distinguished feature of Ngozi was not her blackness but her African dress? The black lady next to her who was dressed in British clothing wasn't given the same interrogation.

I dunno, I've never met any of these people. Maybe she is just a massive racist.

You keep saying this but refuse to explain what was African about her dress? You do realise there is no such country as Africa, that it’s a continent with over 50 countries?

It’s just a dress with a bolero top.And for you to flip it so the racism is Ngozi’s own fault is laughable.

minipie · 01/12/2022 11:52

I just think we can be so so easily offended these days. Who cares if a Japanese person can't understand I am Japanese even though I don't look it. It's ignorance not abuse.

I think you’re ignoring the enormous history of black people being treated as “other” and “lesser” and being asked these kind of questions when white people - even those who are genuinely from another country - are not asked them. And this is an ongoing problem as this story shows.

You, as a white immigrant in Japan, might not feel offended to be asked this kind of question. That doesn’t mean that a black person born in Britain wouldn’t feel offended, given the history.

Check your privilege. (not a big fan of this phrase but seems bang on here)

Feef83 · 01/12/2022 11:52

She said on LBC that transcript was 15 minutes long

bull. Shit

whoamI00 · 01/12/2022 11:52

I agree with your point but she's racist. If you see the dialogue, you'll see what I mean. Even thought she said she's from Hackney, the Lady asked where she's from. That's ridiculous.

MaryMollyPolly · 01/12/2022 11:52

VollywoodHampires · 01/12/2022 11:49

But it's a bit odd to then get frosty when people take your choice of dress as a cue to ask about your African heritage..

I agree with this comment.

I would like to know if Ngozi raised a complaint with Bucking Palace at the time, or used Twitter to highlight their exchange?

She didn’t ask about her heritage though -that’s the entire point. She asked where she was from.

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