Buckingham Palace Aide resigns

Careful GG13 -if they don’t like your questions, they’ll accuse you of racism or abuse.
When we’re abroad it’s one of the easiest conversation starters.
We exchange questions about where we come from, or where about in the country we come from. If we, or those we meet are wearing unusual clothing, we talk about that too.
It isn’t racist it’s conversation.

Whilst I think SH would have done better to give up if someone seems reluctant to answer, rather than press on with questions, I’m not sure how the questions translate into abuse, which is now being claimed.

Did she really wear a wire?

volver

And Muhammad Ali's name was Cassius Clay.

And the Emperor Augusts was called Octavian.

Your point?

Cliff Richards is really Harry Webb. Michael Caine, Elton John....many people change their name

25Avalon

The more I think about it the more I think the RF have shot themselves in the foot. They are so sensitive about not being racist they chuck SH under a bus for being racist. Well if SH is racist then maybe there are also others within the RF who are also racist.

It would have been better to explain that because of her ceremonial dress SH thought Ms was from another country and/or proud of her heritage and she was trying to make conversation to put her at ease. She could then apologise if she’d caused offence which was not intended.

As it is they have more or less admitted to racism, true or not, and in America Meghan Markle is jumping for glee saying I told you so.

So basically, blame the victim?

Yes, that always goes over so well. Much better response.

Unbelievable.

One if my neighbours is black.

I would no more question him on his origins than fly through the air. It is absolutely none of my business.

It is so rude, and of course racist.

Very fishy indeed.

From the Guardian –
she felt she was being forced to denounce her citizenship when she was “interrogated” by the late queen’s lady-in-waiting about where she “really came from”.

Yeah right. Pull the other one!

And yet, the thing not in dispute is that a key figure in the royal household was racist.

No, Gagajo , in your opinion she was racist.

Camilla Tominey in the Telegraph today said:

“The speed with which Buckingham Palace dealt with Lady Susan Hussey speaks to a ruthless efficiency that has helped the monarchy to endure for more than a thousand years.

Lady Hussey had served the Crown since Prince Andrew’s birth in 1960 and received the Queen Elizabeth II version of the Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal with 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-year bars.

Yet having attended thousands of royal engagements over the past six decades, it was a solitary encounter with Ngozi Fulani, a black British charity director, on Tuesday night that proved to be the formidable 83-year-old’s undoing.

When, the following morning, the UK-born head of Sistah Space, a charity in east London, complained on Twitter that she had been “violated” by repeated questions about where she “really” came from, Lady Susan expressed “profound apologies for the hurt caused” and stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.

The similarly “immediate” nature of the palace’s investigation, along with its statement confirming that “in this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made” suggest lessons have indeed been learned from the mistakes of the past – regardless of what royal detractors might say.“

GagaJo

Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice.

“Where are you from?”
“Where were you born?”
“You speak good English.”

That’s an American study you linked to, their culture is rather different to the U.K.

What do you suggest people talk about on their first introductions if they are obviously of different colour/culture?

I am extremely interested in people one of the great joys of travelling the world is learning about different cultures by talking to people of different cultures.

Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice.

“Where are you from?”
“Where were you born?”
“You speak good English.”

Not at all fishy, unless you're looking to undermine somebody like the one time Lady in Waiting to the late Queen and Godmother to the future King.

growstuff absolutely Ms Fulani went to BP with the intention of undermining the RF.

I agree that Lady Hussy was a little too insistant, tackless, perhaps bordering on rude, but racist she most certainly was not. There's nothing racist about asking where your family originate from, however Lady H was a bit silly to persist when this question was meeting reluctance (why? who knows) and it would have been more sensible to leave it at that. One question though, what is the point of wearing a name badge for identification purposes and hiding it under your hair? wby not wear it where can be seen? That too could be construed as rude?

Smileless2012

Very fishy indeed.

It is fishy. It really is

Anniebach

Megan Markle also said they were married 3 days before their
wedding

What the hell does that have to do with this?

Smileless2012

Very fishy indeed.

Not at all fishy, unless you're looking to undermine somebody.

Megan Markle also said they were married 3 days before their
wedding

Aveline

Dressing in a version of African dress along with braids and shells and adopting an African name etc then complaining about being asked where she's from is pretty ridiculous too.

This is ridiculous!

Her surname on LinkedIn is Headley-Fulani. I know plenty of people who use a double barrelled name after they marry - sometimes not all that consistently.

As for her first name, most people who know me well never use either of the names I was given at birth. For some reason, I didn't like them when I was a teenager and friends called me something else and it stuck.

PS. Bit like a former PM.

Very fishy indeed.

GagaJo

And yet, the thing not in dispute is that a key figure in the royal household was racist.

Something denied when MM brought it up.

Excuse, excuse, excuse.

IMO, the royal family are on their way out unless they change.

Wishful thinking GagaJo. IMO immediately condemned and lost her role in the royal household constitutes change. What else were you expecting, public execution?

GagaJo

DaisyAnne

GagaJo

Grandma70s

Skydancer

If, as a white woman, I happened to be born in an African country and someone asked where I was from I'd assume it was because I was white. I wouldn't consider the question to be racist. Just saying.

Exactly. I know someone in that situation, and she wasn’t upset if people asked her where she was really from.

However, it must be difficult to guess what will offend people.

It isn't difficult. It is known offensive (racist) tactic to take. I know not to do it. Most people know not to.

How, in law, is that racist? You are making up your own truths in an attempt to be right.

Jesus. I didn't say it was a law. But most people would regard it as racist.

Take a street poll. I'm betting 90% would regard it as racist.

But racism is a legal definition not a Gagajo definition. You cannot have your own truths.

Why do you think 90% would regard it as racist? That is simply ridiculous. When do 90% agree on anything?

I would diagnose an over-inflated ego and a lack of personal bias perception.

I love to see you enjoying yourself. GJ.

And yet, the thing not in dispute is that a key figure in the royal household was racist.

Something denied when MM brought it up.

Excuse, excuse, excuse.

IMO, the royal family are on their way out unless they change.

It sure is Aveline and the more I hear the fishier it all sounds.
🐠 🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠

Nightsky2

mokryna

Rosina

JenniferEccles I too am at a loss to see why asking someone where their family is from is racist. Perhaps intrusive, perhaps Susan Hussey persisted for too long, but is Ngozi Fulani ashamed of her origins? My FiL had a broad Irish accent and, although born in England, was often asked what part of Ireland he came from, and he would tell people his family roots were in Dublin. I don't know the personalities of Ms Fulani, or Mrs Hussey, but this whole matter seems to be an overpublicised incident that could have been dealt with far more quietly. The woman has now lost her job.

Not so must her job but her reputation of 60 years work.

NF could so easily have said that her grandparents were from wherever….why was she so vague about her ancestry. She should have been proud of it and why was she dressed the way she was if she wasn’t very proud of her background. I don’t know why she choose to go to BP if she dislikes the RF so much and if she believes them to be racist. All very fishy.

It's not up to you to dictate what she should be proud of!!!

She didn't want to - and nobody has the right to tell her what she should think or do, just because she didn't behave as you seem to think would be right.

Aveline

Dressing in a version of African dress along with braids and shells and adopting an African name etc then complaining about being asked where she's from is pretty ridiculous too.

Nigel's point.