I would imagien that if Lady Susan was commonly giving to acting in this manner, she would not have lasted as the queen's lady in wiaitng. I think its possible that as she's in her 80s, she's beginning to suffer form some form of mental decline.
Just a thought, but perhaps there's something wrong about her hearing? The way she kept repeating the same question as if she's ignoring the answer she got reminds me of how I used to have conversation with my late grandmother. Isn't she in her 80s already? At that age, a decline in her hearing seems normal, on top of it since it's a reception surely with the noise around would add to the problem.
I often get asked where I come from - originally. I must say that that occasionally it does annoy me and sometimes it doesn't depending on everything - the tone, how the conversation is and the person.
I know that the question of where have you come from? is a go to small talk piece for the royals.
I also know many people that fly off into tantrums when asked this question. My children been among them - she literally flew off the handle the other day when someone asked, if she was allowed to be in a pub. The comment was a joke about her youthful appearance - she looks nine. Not her color, but that is where she immediately went.
We live in a very racial charged world - and I am disgusted by that. Yes - I am a 50 year old black Brit - with South African and Jamaican descent and never in all my life has race been more an issue then today. And it is not that it is a discrimintory issue - it is a SS who will tell your neighbors and accuse everyone of race speech if I don't like them and I will police your speech/actions/thought from 50 years ago rhetoric or even worse I will judge the actions of people thousands of years ago by my current surface level virtues.
I do not say Lady Hassey's action were right - they were just clumsy. I have meet her and know of her more as a person and she is not a racist as far as I could tell. I found her to be a very kind person who was always willing to assist others and put in when needed.
What I cannot condone if people patting themselves on the back for ruining the reputation of an 80 year old. I see no moral victory here - I do not understand people who are praising the bravery of someone going on social media to ruin anyone life. This is the height of cowardliness in my eyes.
I have been told that social media give empty power to the powerless - so they believe all small wins are great victories - all their comments are great feats of genius. Then I really pity the state of this world.
I am a national minority and I work in an international company.
From time to time we have some social gatherings with purpose to get to know each other better.
How do we make conversations?
We mingle, approach someone, and start small chat.
And it usually starts with asking someone "where are you from? really? I've heard of your national football team" or where are you from? really? A friend of mine had a wonderful vacation there".
And when someone asks me about where I come from, I'm not offended, why should I be? I like talking about where I'm from.
Not everything is about race or nationality or sexual orientation.
I'm white and nobody has ever asked me where I'm "really from" and I think that's the issue here. I'd also like to note that Ms Fulani has expressed her wish that the matter be handled kindly.
I'm white and nobody has ever asked me where I'm "really from" and I think that's the issue here. I'd also like to note that Ms Fulani has expressed her wish that the matter be handled kindly.
She didn’t touch her, it was one of the staff who was trying to look at her name tag. What has she done for so long? I don’t agree with her constant questions however.It wasn't just the question. The first offense was Lady Susan putting her hand on this woman. Don't touch people. That set the mood and she was already on the defense. Then she badgered her with questions. You might not take offense to it but I perfectly understand in that circumstance why she was not okay with it.
People are all "She is 83" yada yada. Yeah okay. I get that but that doesn't excuse that kind of behavior either especially for a woman who has done it for so long. She was perfectly aware. She just was too entitled to recognize that moment.
I'm white and nobody has ever asked me where I'm "really from" and I think that's the issue here. I'd also like to note that Ms Fulani has expressed her wish that the matter be handled kindly.
I’m not sure if she was questioning whether she’s “British” or not or simply asking her cultural heritage or origins. But her insistence made it seem like she’s questioning Ngozi’s answers. Hopefully amends will be made properly. I’m sure Lady Susan Hussey understood that the woman is based in the U.K, but wanted to know her origins.We all agree there is nothing wrong with being asked where are you from, as you said it’s usually a good icebreaker. But in this case Ms Fulani answered 3 times or more: UK, British, born and raised here. At that point Lady Susan’s insistance was rude and pushy, challenging, interrogation like. Like she was not satisfied with the answer. At the point the conversation to was taking a wrong turn as in you asked a question and it was answered it 3-4 times; you keep insisting and challenging the answer then are you implying the answer is not truthful?
It seems to me there was an assumption in Lady Husseys mind that a black person like Miss Fulani couldn’t be “really” British. At the very least this was “unconscious bias” to use a fashionable expression. And that is unacceptable from somebody who is a lady of the Palace and who was Diana’s coach in protocol.
I'm going to say I won't be rushing to judgement on this terrible situation. I'd like the dust to settle a bit first.
But I will say that I find it hard to believe that Susan Hussey who has been at Palace Events for decades, interacting with people from ALL walks of life, would be so bigoted and crass at a Social Engagement. If so, *maybe* She is in some mental decline.
I honestly don't know, but wow what a blowup that is rocking Buckingham Palace.
C
From my perspective- handling this kindly would have meant none of this winding up on Twitter to begin with for a worldwide audience.
Just a thought, but perhaps there's something wrong about her hearing? The way she kept repeating the same question as if she's ignoring the answer she got reminds me of how I used to have conversation with my late grandmother. Isn't she in her 80s already? At that age, a decline in her hearing seems normal, on top of it since it's a reception surely with the noise around would add to the problem.
Buckingham Palace certainly feels so. Which is why many large corporations and organizations routinely utilize diversity training for their workers/employers.
To to its credit has realized that it is not very diverse and as such are taking strides to hire more racially diverse people.
I encourage you to read the following articles. They are quite insightful.
Buckingham Palace lags behind on workplace diversity and admits it ‘must do more’
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...ace-ethnic-minorities-diversity-b1871740.html
Buckingham Palace banned ethnic minorities from office roles, papers revealhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...ic-minorities-from-office-roles-papers-reveal
The Charity Commission is examining a series of allegations over the running of Sistah Space, the organisation whose founder was at the centre of the Buckingham Palace race row.
In a statement the watchdog said it was “assessing material” posted on social media questioning the charity’s finances and organisation.
The Greater London Assembly’s finance chief has also been asked to ensure that grants to Sistah Space “have been used as intended”.
(...)
A lengthy analysis of Sistah Space’s operations, posted on Twitter by an anonymous user, has led to the charity watchdog beginning a preliminary examination.
The social media posts - more than 200 in total - have been widely circulated in a sign that the Buckingham Palace race row, which was deeply embarrassing to the Royal household, continues to attract huge interest.
In the posts, allegations are made concerning the running of Sistah Space, a domestic violence charity for black women and their families. The charity was formed in 2015, a year after the murder of a black woman and her daughter by an abusive ex-partner amid criticism of police for their "inaction" in response to earlier threats. The charity provides advice and advocacy to women and girls from the African and Afro-Caribbean communities.
(...)
Sistah Space, based in Hackney in east London, admits in its most recent accounts it has had “issues” in managing its growth since it was formally registered as a charity in 2018. Its most recent accounts were posted 69 days late.
In its annual report, the charity said: “The sudden increase meant we had to develop a new way of working to ensure we were current with financial regulations and reporting… This financial year 2021 has proved to be our most challenging but equally our most successful year.”
The charity said its accounts officer was “off for a very long time” with Covid and “it was difficult trying to find a replacement”. The replacement of the finance officer, said the charity, “caused a massive disruption in the organisation’s ability to record accounts in a timely manner”.
In its accounts, the charity said: “We have now engaged an independent accounting firm and are confident that any issues are a thing of the past.”
The Twitter post also highlighted a dispute between Sistah Space and Hackney Council, in which the local authority had tried to evict the charity from its temporary headquarters in a building owned by the local authority.
A meeting took place this morning, 16th December, at Buckingham Palace between Ms Ngozi Fulani, founder of Sistah Space, and Lady Susan Hussey to address the incident that took place at a Palace reception last month.
At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani.
Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.
Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended.
The Royal Households will continue their focus on inclusion and diversity, with an enhanced programme of work which will extend knowledge and training programmes, examining what can be learnt from Sistah Space, and ensuring these reach all members of their communities.
Both Ms Fulani and Lady Susan ask now that they be left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both.
They hope that their example shows a path to resolution can be found with kindness, co-operation and the condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.
It is the wish of both parties that, at the end of the UN’s 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, attention can now return to the important work of Sistah Space in supporting women affected by domestic abuse.
Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family have been kept fully informed and are pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome.
Maybe I am just a cynic but this whole incident has shown how badly this issue was handled and I am afraid the BRF has opened itself up for further "incidents.There was also a photo. Good that the matter can be closed now.
Nice that they could sit together and discuss and move on, the matter now closed.