Where are you from? Is it an insult?

Quokka

Come on, let’s call this out for what it is…racism. Even if it’s an old lady, steeped in ignorance, even if she didn’t mean it as such, it is still racist. She probably didn’t know better having learned from the likes of Prince Philip or Boris Johnson but even so.

Exactly. All the justifying and explaining of how and why this isn't racism is racism apologism.

You can see why the organisation has been set up as this thread has clearly demonstrated plenty of the issues women who are black, face when needing professional support

How awful.

Also this is from Sistah Space's website, it doesn't sound at all extreme. It is tailored support

AT SISTAH SPACE, WE SUPPORT WOMEN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC ABUSE WHILST ALSO ENSURING THAT CULTURAL FACTORS ARE NOT ONLY CONSIDERED BUT UNDERSTOOD. THROUGH OUR WORK WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT CULTURAL BARRIERS AND BIASES ARE REMOVED AND THAT OUR SERVICE USERS ARE GIVEN EQUAL SUPPORT FROM US AND ANY OTHER AGENCY THEY GO TO FOR HELP. WE ARE EXPERTS ON THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF RACISM AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS SECTOR AND END IGNORANCE AROUND THE BLACK EXPERIENCE OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE THROUGH ADVOCACY, WE AT SISTAH SPACE OPERATE A VOLUNTEER RUN SUPPORT SERVICE, FOOD BANK AND A VERY UNIQUE CHARITY SHOP IN WHICH EVERYTHING IS NEW OR UNUSED.

WE ALSO DELIVER TRAINING FOCUSING ON CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND BEST PRACTICE DERIVED FROM OUR OWN VERIFIED RESEARCH.

This has been posted on the BBC news website

Here is the full conversation, as recounted by Ms Fulani:

Lady SH: Where are you from?

Me: Sistah Space.

SH: No, where do you come from?

Me: We're based in Hackney.

SH: No, what part of Africa are you from?

Me: I don't know, they didn't leave any records.

SH: Well, you must know where you're from, I spent time in France. Where are you from?

Me: Here, the UK.

SH: No, but what nationality are you?

Me: I am born here and am British.

SH: No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?

Me: 'My people', lady, what is this?

SH: Oh I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you're from. When did you first come here?

Me: Lady! I am a British national, my parents came here in the 50s when...

SH: Oh, I knew we'd get there in the end, you're Caribbean!

Me: No lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.

SH: Oh so you're from...

MissAdventure

Surely it's the kind of question to steer clear of, just to ensure one doesn't offend?
I believe it's very unpleasant to keep pushing the point, and whatever her name is must know that.

Exactly

Come on, let’s call this out for what it is…racism. Even if it’s an old lady, steeped in ignorance, even if she didn’t mean it as such, it is still racist. She probably didn’t know better having learned from the likes of Prince Philip or Boris Johnson but even so.

Surely it's the kind of question to steer clear of, just to ensure one doesn't offend?
I believe it's very unpleasant to keep pushing the point, and whatever her name is must know that.

icanhandthemback

Actually, DaisyAnne, you didn't. Telling me you are probing is not an answer to that question. Nor did you answer my questions in my second post which implied nothing beyond a interest in why you would think this lady is an "extremist".

It was my answer icanhandthemback. I am not inclined to answer insulting suggestions and you may not dictate what I chose to say or which parts of your question I chose to answer.

If you mean do I think the complainant is an extremist. She seems to belong to a single-issue pressure group who are, but I really can't say. I don't know. We are all still finding out.

Not my intention as I do wonder if every section finds that it is usually an introductory topic of conversation in Australia. As you can probably tell, I’ve never been.

Lollin

Callistemon21

nanna8

Lots of people ask that question here all the time. Colour makes no difference whatsoever . I think ethnic backgrounds are fascinating and I would never be ashamed of mine and I am pretty sure my friends of Asian and African ethnicity are proud of theirs,too. The church I used to attend was extremely proud that they had people from53 different ethnic origins and we used to fly flags from each individual country once a year and have a big scrumptious dinner with dishes from most of the countries. They even got bangers and mash from me once and my other half produced Lancashire hotpot.

Lots of people ask that question here all the time

I mentioned that too, nanna8
In fact, it's usually an introductory topic of conversation in Australia.

The word
indigenous
springs to mind in relation to that sentence Callistemon21 difference in history

I know that too Lollin
No need to patronise me, thanks.

I won't start explaining as it would take too long

Callistemon21

nanna8

Lots of people ask that question here all the time. Colour makes no difference whatsoever . I think ethnic backgrounds are fascinating and I would never be ashamed of mine and I am pretty sure my friends of Asian and African ethnicity are proud of theirs,too. The church I used to attend was extremely proud that they had people from53 different ethnic origins and we used to fly flags from each individual country once a year and have a big scrumptious dinner with dishes from most of the countries. They even got bangers and mash from me once and my other half produced Lancashire hotpot.

Lots of people ask that question here all the time

I mentioned that too, nanna8
In fact, it's usually an introductory topic of conversation in Australia.

The word
indigenous
springs to mind in relation to that sentence Callistemon21 difference in history

Spot on, "Growstuff"!

Exactly "Vegansrock"! Why was Lady Hussey, with her 50 years of "diplomacy" attending these Royal events so insistent on trying to learn more? It was hardly the place to start having in-depth discussions about the woman's heritage. I would back off if the questioning became uncomfortable. It is just good manners.

Racism, discrimination and just plain ignorance are a huge problem in this country and women who face those things on top of issues faced by women in general need a different kind of support

Callistemon21

^"The incident on Tuesday, at a reception on gender-based violence^

The incident on Tuesday, at a reception on gender-based violence

THE INCIDENT on TUESDAY, at a reception ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

It's worth reminding everyone that the reception was intended to focus on worldwide violence against women and children, many of whom are suffering abuse as I post this.

The problem, of course, is that the world/media/populace (maybe all, maybe just bits of them) are waking up to the problem of racism in and around the royal family. So the sh*t is hitting the fan, with each incidence.

It isn't going to go away (not this particular occurence which must be reaching its sell-by date now, just in general) until it is dealt with. Each time something happens, it'll flare up again.

They need to change. They need to be seen to be changing. To be taking active steps. Not reactive to each little event. They've tried to ignore it for too long but by not changing while the world around them has, they've created a bigger problem.

Off the top of my head too, there are focus groups that raise issues surround maternity care for women who are black too and this is because statistically they are at much higher risk of death than white women in the UK. This is for a variety of reason. Why would anyone be offended or upset about that? White women don't need to be offended as statistically it looks like their care is better anyway. Improving lives and outcomes of others doesn't mean your life becomes harder

I'm quite saddened that people don't listen. There is nothing to be offended about. Lots of groups and charities exist to support people in minority groups (for whatever reason) because minority groups often have a unique set of circumstances that require focussed support for those needs. This could cover a whole range of issues. Why people are affronted that a charity exists that helps and supports women who are black who face violence and abuse, honestly astounds me.

I do abhor racism and discrimination in any form and I also wonder why those of Royal blood are not designated a minority group. I see a huge amount of abuse publicly directed toward them, constant intrusive invasion of privacy suffered by them. They were born this way and the only way out doesn't seem to work either.

Actually, DaisyAnne, you didn't. Telling me you are probing is not an answer to that question. Nor did you answer my questions in my second post which implied nothing beyond a interest in why you would think this lady is an "extremist".

icanhandthemback

I just wonder why you think someone resigned if there was no truth to this DaisyAnne? The Palace are also able to put out PR that is bland and without apology. They even have investigations where nobody gets to know the truth but in this case it was an instant apology.

Ngozi Fulani may be an intense lady but why would you call her an extremist?

Incidentally, I didn't call you anything, I asked you a direct question which you haven't answered. If you asked me the same question, I would answer that I try to be but recognise that as a white person, growing up and living in a predominantly white are, it is difficult for me to understand where someone who meets racism on a daily basis is coming from. However, I try not to be dismissive of the racism they meet no matter how innocuous the giver of it thought they were being.

I answered it immediately after your implicitly accusative question icanhandthemback

I just wonder why you think someone resigned if there was no truth to this DaisyAnne? The Palace are also able to put out PR that is bland and without apology. They even have investigations where nobody gets to know the truth but in this case it was an instant apology.

Ngozi Fulani may be an intense lady but why would you call her an extremist?

Incidentally, I didn't call you anything, I asked you a direct question which you haven't answered. If you asked me the same question, I would answer that I try to be but recognise that as a white person, growing up and living in a predominantly white are, it is difficult for me to understand where someone who meets racism on a daily basis is coming from. However, I try not to be dismissive of the racism they meet no matter how innocuous the giver of it thought they were being.

"The incident on Tuesday, at a reception on gender-based violence

The incident on Tuesday, at a reception on gender-based violence

THE INCIDENT on TUESDAY, at a reception ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

It's worth reminding everyone that the reception was intended to focus on worldwide violence against women and children, many of whom are suffering abuse as I post this.

nanna8

Lots of people ask that question here all the time. Colour makes no difference whatsoever . I think ethnic backgrounds are fascinating and I would never be ashamed of mine and I am pretty sure my friends of Asian and African ethnicity are proud of theirs,too. The church I used to attend was extremely proud that they had people from53 different ethnic origins and we used to fly flags from each individual country once a year and have a big scrumptious dinner with dishes from most of the countries. They even got bangers and mash from me once and my other half produced Lancashire hotpot.

Lots of people ask that question here all the time

I mentioned that too, nanna8
In fact, it's usually an introductory topic of conversation in Australia.

Being offended is something we all have to live with. I don't know what offends you and you don't know what offends me.

Being harangued and subjected to different treatment because of our skin colour and hairstyle? Not so much.

Being made to feel that you don't belong in a certain place or country by a person who is perceived to have power, isn't being "offended".