Member of Household resigns

[myrtleWilson]

Awful story just broken on twitter about horrendous racist questioning from Lady Hussey to Ngozi Fulani from Sister Space at yesterdays VAWG event.

Lady Hussey has resigned.

[Edited by MNHQ to correct typo at OP's request]

If you think an interrogation about someone’s racial background amounts to polite conversation, you may want to avoid talking to strangers without a notecard of ‘subjects not to bring up’ - perhaps a friend or family member could write it for you since you don’t seem to be capable yourself. It seems to be the only way for you to avoid being shatteringly rude.

The element of moving Ngoni’s hair to see her name badge hasn’t been mentioned as much as the haranguing.

It’s really shocking, I think another poster described it has treating her like a piece of public property.

A) why did she need to see her badge instead of saying “and what’s your name”.

B) why did she feel she had the right to touch her. Only close friends and relatives generally touch each other (aside from handshakes). I imagine Lady Susan wouldn’t expect Ngoni to reach over and touch her hair.

She is British. Why should she go to the event declaiming her heritage? She is British and was there to represent her charity. No need for the persistent line of questioning about her ancestors. It simply wasn't relevant.

You again. I think that you are best ignored. So that is what I shall have the pleasure of doing from now on. You always pop up on these threads with your rather ahem, insightful comments.

My parents were of that generation and they knew that sort of questioning was inappropriate.

of course the lady who was questioned isn't "ashamed of her heritage" What absolute nonsense.

No

In news that will surprise absolutely no-one....

Are you always this gullible? Don't you think subsequent revelations have demonstrated a total lack of regard for THE truth as opposed to THEIR truth? One accusation - and both of them gave differing accounts of it?

One of my oldest and dearest friends gave birth a biracial baby more than 30 years ago. I clearly recall a conversation between the mum-to-be, me and our other close friend. We discussed the baby's potential gender, eye colour, hair colour and yes, shock horror, skin colour. None of us had any prejudice whatsoever - it was just another feature. (Baby came out beautiful, a mix of both parents). Honest to god, these days you can't mention anything!! Is pondering a baby's gender sexist?

@SalviaOfficinalis That’s a very fair point. I have attended similar sort of events as part of my job, and no one has ever felt it necessary to touch me beyond a handshake. Touching someone’s hair is not ok in this situation at all. It’s just so rude!

"Where are you really from?" is usually a racist question because the exchange before this is usually
"Where are you from?"
"London"
The word "really" means that the person thinks that I'm not really from London when I was born there and have lived there most of my life.
The hair touching really demonstrates that she wasn't seen as a human being in that moment. This wasn't just a rich person looking down on "the help " and I bet that a white person wouldn't have been treated like that.

@DrunkenBoat are you surprised though? This is a typical reaction when people are faced by their own prejudices. It's the inevitable conclusion of living a life oblivious to the fact their skin colour is the norm. The defensiveness when faced with the fact that not everyone experiences the world as they do.

Wow. I came across this thread under Trending. I’m truly shocked. I’m not sure if I’m more shocked by the racial incident or that some posters are rushing to excuse Ms. Hussey’s behaviour. There is no excuse for racism. I can only hope that if there such racial undertones when Meghan was there, it was just as swiftly nipped in the bud.

The whole incident, from moving Ms Fulani's hair to the persistent questioning about her heritage (which would never happen to any white British person in the same circumstances) reeked of imperious privilege, not any desire to find out more about her, the work she does or indeed any genuine interest in her background. It was racist.

I do think this is a problem with some older white British people. I have had numerous arguments with my elderly dad over it. He recently described a black friend of my son’s as being from the Caribbean. My 12 year old called him out on it before I even got a chance. I feel like I am banging my head against a wall with him but he’s not going to change now at 73. However, in this case the palace should have realised Lady Susan was a liability and removed her from duties long ago.

Haha stop the bus . I don't share your view . Complete over reaction and the demonisation of an old lady . I don't for one minute think and intended to be offensive .

I do disagree with the hair touching and other weird behaviour which she displayed.

We're not ashamed of our heritage, we are just tired of appeasing your relentless and rude curiosity. If I tell you I'm from London, accept it.

Some people would refuse to accept there is a huge problem in this country with racism even if they saw the king in full KKK garb, riding a horse down pall mall, waving a burning cross .
🙄

IKR?! Luckily this supercilious breed is dying out.

What difference would their skin colour make? Why the need to discuss it at all?

Lady Hussey isn't from a different era - she was given a position of power and authority in THIS present day - and clearly felt very, very comfortable in treating a WOC in this exact way around all the people she worked with.

Institutional racism is clearly alive and well in the Royal Family because 5 mins in a person's company tell you exactly what they are like, and the RF clearly felt very welcoming and happy having her around for years. Why this family and their hangers on keep getting so much money, power and respect I do not know.

And breed them.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3919317.stm
www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/style/the-princess-diatribes.html
Not to mention the remarks the queen’s husband came out with over the years.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/11/the-chequered-legacy-of-prince-philips-notorious-gaffes

But none of them are racist at all….

More like Fawlty Towers. Lady.Susan in full flight reminded me of Basil Fawlty.