10, March 2021 Harry
& Meghan
I grew up in a
working class neighborhood in Birmingham England, a city that used to be known
as the “black country.” It gained its name because of its smokey atmosphere
from large scale steel furnaces.
It was also the
center of large scale manufacturing, a favorite target of German bombing raids
during the second World War.
Going to school I quickly realized we were
“different” (light skinned Sikhs with turbans) and were often exposed to racial
slurs sometimes morphing into fist fights. The racism of the 30’s was deep rooted
until the late 90’s when a large number of brown and black immigrants changed
the demographics in a profound way. In some school districts the heavy influx
of immigrants most notably in Southall, a large suburban district in West
London. “Punjabi” students outnumbered the local white Brits.
Predictably there no more bullying where the local whites were no match against
their husky brown school mates
My dad was a medical
doctor who through enormous perseverance
established a private practice in one of Birmingham’s unfriendly suburbs.
Occasionally, my
parents took us to various holiday resorts but alas the reception was frosty
and unwelcome. I experienced great difficulty gaining employment because of
systemic racism but once I was hired I
was warmly accepted. My sense of humor which I acquired from wonderful British
comedians, had a lot to do with changing attitudes but only within the confines
of the work place. Once I left the safety of my company, I was just another
unwanted “foreigner.”
Racism was raging up
to the year I left the UK in 1967. Advertising in newsagents bulletin boards were
replete with overt racism. Example, “2 br. flat for rent, no pakis colored, . .
“). Employment opportunities carried similar exclusions. One “barrow boy” (a
vegetable seller) who I befriended, whispered“
you’re ok mate, it’s those “darkies” I don’t like, to which I replied “you’re
ok mate it’s those other “whites” I can’t stand!” One company interview I
recollect was with a large computer company offering programming courses to its
customers. 15 minutes into the interview my future boss leaned forward and
asked me whether I spoke English! I gasped with an Oprah response, WHHHAAT? “”sir,
I was born in the UK and English is the only language I can speak
fluently”.
Having experienced
British “hospitality” for many years I watched the Meghan- Harry interview with
rapt attention. Perhaps Meghan had never been exposed to American racism given
she was of mixed race , very attractive and had a very successful acting career
prior to meeting Prince Harry. It was no surprise that her wedding was parlayed
with great gusto by the UK media. But once she failed to play her role of a
perpetual on demand smiling “princess” the “palace guard” froze Harry’s palace
salary, withdrew his security and Meghan’s palace title. Rejected and bereft of
financial security to keep them alive, it is not at all surprising that Megan
fell into acute depression and suicidal thoughts. The “skin tone” comment of
their future son, Archie came as no surprise. The thought of having a future
“colored” king was clearly unacceptable.
The palace “firm” and upper echelons of British
society desperately cling on to the only relic of their former glory, as
head of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth, perhaps the last bastion of royalty
soldiers on supported by its seniors but has not endeared herself to Britain’s
younger population. Furthermore, many citizens of the Commonwealth resent being
subservient to the British crown.
A recent British poll
taken after the Oprah interview reported over 50% of younger Brits thought that
Meghan was treated very poorly and voiced doubts as to the relevance of the
monocracy. In sharp contrast, the over 60’s reported that the palace had
treated her well. One twitter that caught my eye:
ONCE AGAIN AMERICA
WILL DEFEAT THE BRITISH MONARCHY BY SPILLING TEA
Some of us still remember
when King Edward was forced to abdicate after he married an American divorcee,
Wallace Simpson. Even the beautiful, charming princess Diana invited to the
gilded cage soon fell out of favor hounded by a hostile media who reported her
struggles with bulimia and her extra marriage dalliances.
One comment made by
Meghan was extremely revealing.
To ensure the
tabloids report favorable coverage of the royal family Buckingham Palace hosts regular parties for
the tabloids.
Perhaps it it’s time
to honor Elizabeth as the last queen of a failing “empire.”
Prince Charles has long
abdicated his duties as a farther and grandfather. It is a mystery
how his son, Andrew, continues to enjoy
all the palace perks after his association with Epstein became known. Andrew
stayed at Epstein’s homes in New York
and Florida as well as on his private island
in the Caribbean where he allegedly participated in sexual orgies with underage girls.
Does he still enjoy place
security and a salary? Isn’t this a
double standard.
In a period where people of the world are
demanding respect and equality it’s time to convert Bucking Place and other
palaces belonging to the “Crown” as anachronistic relics - to hotels. No more
curtsying and bowing humiliating gestures denoting high and low, vestiges of a construct
of British palace history. One final request, to the reigning queen please ask
the “firm” to return the stolen jewelry from the former colonies back to their
rightful owners.
