Buckingham Palace Aide resigns

I don’t mean to offend anyone. I feel sorry for both people. I often say the wrong thing when I visit the UK, I get muddled and don’t realize that I have not said the right thing. I think my DD’s toes curl up.
When I travel, or even locally, I am forever being asked
Where are you from? and I never really know what the correct answer should be. Do they mean birth or where I live.
The person will keep asking until I give a satisfactory for them. It doesn’t bother me, except for the ‘ribbing’ about Brexit which I try to laugh off.

Would she have asked a white woman at that reception what nationality she was, where she was really from, when she came to this country? After being told she was British?

No, she wouldn't.

So she was being racist. By definition. 🤷

I’m with Maw and DaisyAnne. She was very tactless but was she really being racist? Probably just trying to make conversation.

DaisyAnne

Glorianny

Casdon

Glorianny

One of the purposes of a Godparent according to the Cof E. is Model and encourage them to develop Christian values – being kind and compassionate towards others, being generous towards others in need with time or money and standing against things in the world that cause injustice and suffering
Lady Susan evidently missed out on the racial injustice module I wonder then what sort of an example she has set for William?

William is 40 years old, I think he’s a bit past needing the guidance of one of his godmothers!

But she has been his spiritual guide since he was born. Perhaps he doesn't need her now and it is entirely possible that in the light of the events in his family he has revised his ideas, but racist views are bred in families.

PWs Godmother did not act antagonistically towards a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group. That would be racist. She tried, with very out of date manners, to engage someone in conversation. She is right to stand down as someone in her position needs diplomacy as a skill. However, I cannot see why this is deemed to be racism - except that it suits those who want to be angry with her - and there are certainly some of those on here.

Quite a few of the elderly ladies and gentlemen I come in contact with would not be able to talk "PC" either. They are not racist. They are often trying to be kind.

If you don't understand that it is racist to assume that someone who is black cannot properly be from the UK then you need to examine your own opinions. Would you ask a white person where they were from and after they told you where they were born continue to insist they must be from somewhere else? Many of us have Irish ancestry would you cross examine us? And if not why not?

Sensible post Daisy Anne - Lady SH is out of date certainly , tactless definitely, but comments like “Where do your people come from” can be applied equally to anybody of whatever colour.”Your people” equals “your parents , family etc” as in “the Norfolk Smythes” or “the Cheshire Smythes” - snobby and dated but that was her background and upbringing. Not excusing, explaining.
But of course now everybody has to bend over backwards to show how PC they are.
The Queen’s favourite opening gambit was “Have you come far?” I believe, harmless but not particularly meaningful either.

I agree with DaisyAnne, particularly her final paragraph. SH's persistent questioning was over the top and probably rude but people are too quick to presume racism.

Glorianny

Casdon

Glorianny

One of the purposes of a Godparent according to the Cof E. is Model and encourage them to develop Christian values – being kind and compassionate towards others, being generous towards others in need with time or money and standing against things in the world that cause injustice and suffering
Lady Susan evidently missed out on the racial injustice module I wonder then what sort of an example she has set for William?

William is 40 years old, I think he’s a bit past needing the guidance of one of his godmothers!

But she has been his spiritual guide since he was born. Perhaps he doesn't need her now and it is entirely possible that in the light of the events in his family he has revised his ideas, but racist views are bred in families.

PWs Godmother did not act antagonistically towards a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group. That would be racist. She tried, with very out of date manners, to engage someone in conversation. She is right to stand down as someone in her position needs diplomacy as a skill. However, I cannot see why this is deemed to be racism - except that it suits those who want to be angry with her - and there are certainly some of those on here.

Quite a few of the elderly ladies and gentlemen I come in contact with would not be able to talk "PC" either. They are not racist. They are often trying to be kind.

vegansrock

Poor old dear - we are supposed to feel sorry for the perpetrator here. She probably feels hard done by. Shame.

Who says we are supposed to feel sorry for either of them on their own. Personally, I feel sad for them both and neither I, nor the rest of the world need a GN poster to tell me what I "should" feel.

vegansrock

Understanding a different background and culture? Hmmm, so if some privileged old white person thinks anyone with dark skin can’t possibly be British or hail from Hackney we have to tolerate this and not call it out?

I did not say we should tolerate this. I just don't understand the level of hate in the way you decide it is your job to "call out" an elderly lady because she got it wrong. Obviously, you never do and you, I assume, believe that you will keep completely up to the way of thinking with every year you get older.

I wonder how best we could describe you.

Aveline

I wonder who is unhappiest tonight. Poor old thing.

You by the sound of it

Glorianny

Casdon

Glorianny

One of the purposes of a Godparent according to the Cof E. is Model and encourage them to develop Christian values – being kind and compassionate towards others, being generous towards others in need with time or money and standing against things in the world that cause injustice and suffering
Lady Susan evidently missed out on the racial injustice module I wonder then what sort of an example she has set for William?

William is 40 years old, I think he’s a bit past needing the guidance of one of his godmothers!

But she has been his spiritual guide since he was born. Perhaps he doesn't need her now and it is entirely possible that in the light of the events in his family he has revised his ideas, but racist views are bred in families.

She’s his godmother, not his family? Do you know adults who have been spiritually guided by their godparents and have imbibed and embraced their racist views - I certainly don’t.

Casdon

Glorianny

One of the purposes of a Godparent according to the Cof E. is Model and encourage them to develop Christian values – being kind and compassionate towards others, being generous towards others in need with time or money and standing against things in the world that cause injustice and suffering
Lady Susan evidently missed out on the racial injustice module I wonder then what sort of an example she has set for William?

William is 40 years old, I think he’s a bit past needing the guidance of one of his godmothers!

But she has been his spiritual guide since he was born. Perhaps he doesn't need her now and it is entirely possible that in the light of the events in his family he has revised his ideas, but racist views are bred in families.

welbeck

i rest my case

Susan Hussey made an error of judgement, possibly racist, and has paid the price.

Your posts are judgemental and ageist.

Understanding a different background and culture? Hmmm, so if some privileged old white person thinks anyone with dark skin can’t possibly be British or hail from Hackney we have to tolerate this and not call it out?

growstuff

It would appear that Lady Hussey isn't the only person who thinks people should show deference due to age.

I don't know what Lady Hussey thinks. I wonder how you do. Where has anyone suggested "deference". Understanding of a different background and culture from a different time is all anyone is asking - including Ms Fulani. Surely what sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (or in this case another goose).

How many of us have said things we regret later? I know I have. We are human and make mistakes.

HousePlantQueen

vegansrock

Poor old dear - we are supposed to feel sorry for the perpetrator here. She probably feels hard done by. Shame.

I don't suppose that Lady Hussey is on her way to her local housing office to apply for emergency help. More likely cosy and warm and well fed znd surrounded by people telling her it wasn't her fault. Probably explaining what "woke" means.

She's in The Tower as I said earlier.

Aveline

Nobody ever said she was or felt superior to a person of colour. I think Elegran's suggestion was spot on.

Yes, it is.

There are ways of dealing with unreconstructed old dears and humiliating them is not the best way. Two wrongs don't make a right.

vegansrock

Poor old dear - we are supposed to feel sorry for the perpetrator here. She probably feels hard done by. Shame.

I don't suppose that Lady Hussey is on her way to her local housing office to apply for emergency help. More likely cosy and warm and well fed znd surrounded by people telling her it wasn't her fault. Probably explaining what "woke" means.

Nobody ever said she was or felt superior to a person of colour. I think Elegran's suggestion was spot on.

Poor old dear - we are supposed to feel sorry for the perpetrator here. She probably feels hard done by. Shame.

Aveline

I'm with you JenniferEccles. A deaf old lady struggling to keep her end up socially in a noisy environment and getting it wrong. She'll be devastated at how her long term involvement with the Royal family is ended.
Meanwhile, a fine profile boost for her 'victim'.

She was racist not deaf. What makes people of no colour feel so superior to people of colour ,ive never understood it,do enlighten me

I wonder who is unhappiest tonight. Poor old thing.

No, it’s obviously racist language and attitudes which do not belong in the 21st century

As I was saying .....

i rest my case