Duke attacks UK’S ‘structural racism’
Duke and Duchess say world is ‘created for white people’ in interview to mark Black History Month
The Duke of Sussex, speaking from his home in California, said he has undergone an “awakening” to realise the world is “created by white people for white people”, and called on Britain to end its “structural racism”. And in a written article, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex urged readers to acknowledge “the good and bad of how we find ourselves where we are today” and that “we can define our future as one that is inclusive, as one that is equal, and one that is colourful”.
THE Duke of Sussex has called on Britain to end its “structural racism”, saying he has undergone an “awakening” to realise the world is “created by white people for white people”.
The Duke, speaking alongside the Duchess via video link from their home in California, said he had new awareness of “so many of the problems within the UK”, urging the public to grasp the moment to end racism.
In a written article, the Sussexes urged readers to acknowledge “the good and bad of how we find ourselves where we are today”.
They said: “We cannot change history, nor can we edit our past. But we can define our future as one that is inclusive, as one that is equal, and one that is colourful.”
The Duke described his own recent “awakening”, saying: “I wasn’t aware of so many of the issues and so many of the problems within the UK and also globally as well.”
He left the full-time working Royal family in January and now lives in California. He has pledged to keep up with his charities via video calls and – when Covid-19 permits – returning for visits.
“It is not about pointing the finger, it is not about blame,” he said of overcoming racism. “I will be the first person to say, again, this is about learning. And about how we can make it better. It is a really exciting time in British culture and history, and in world culture.
“This is a real moment that we should be grasping and actually celebrating. Because no one else has managed to do this before us.”
Asked about the Black Lives Matter protests, the Duchess conceded the “di s r uptive” elements had been “inflammatory for a lot of people” and left them “uncomfortable”.
“But when there is just peaceful protest and when there is the intention of just wanting community and just wanting the recognition of equality, then that is a beautiful thing,” she said.
The couple have now revealed their list of notable “Black History Month Nextgen Trailblazers”, with nominations from public figures including rugby star Maro Itoje, Vogue editor Edward Enninful, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo.
Writing in the Evening Standard, the couple said there had been “unquestionable progress” since Black History Month was launched 30 years ago, but added: “Yet in many ways sufficient progress has not been achieved. For as long as structural racism exists, there will be generations of young people of colour who do not start their lives with the same equality of opportunity as their white peers.
“And for as long as that continues, untapped potential will never get to be realised. If you are white and British, the world you see often looks just like you – on TV, in media, in the role models celebrated across our nation. That is not a criticism; it’s reality. Many recognise this, but others are not aware of the effect this has on our own perspective, our own bias, but also the effect it has on young people of colour.”
For young black Britons especially, they said, role models are “absolutely vital in opening doors of opportunity”.
He said he hoped to “start a conversation and introduce people to the black community that are making a massive difference within their own communities and across the UK as a whole”.
Admitting she had not heard of Black History Month while she was living in Britain, the Duchess said it was a “great thing to be a part of ”.
The couple revealed they have spoken to Ashley Banjo, offering their support after his Black Lives Matter performance with Diversity on Britain’s Got Talent generated thousands of complaints to Ofcom. The watchdog went on to reject the complaints.
“I am sure even me talking about it will be controversial,” said Harry. “But the reality of it is he [Banjo] and his team of guys put on the most amazing display. I am very glad Ofcom made the decision that they did but that in itself kind of proves how much this conversation needs to continue.”
♦ The Duchess of Sussex permitted information about her private family life to be fed to the authors of her “relentlessly flattering” unauthorised biography, it has been claimed.
The Duchess has “compromised” any expectation of privacy in relation to a letter to her estranged father by allowing intimate details to be handed over to the authors of Finding Freedom, The Mail on Sunday has claimed in new court documents.
The former actress is suing the newspaper’s publisher Associated Newspapers (ANL) over the publication of parts of a handwritten letter sent to Thomas Markle, 76, in 2018. ANL was this week given permission to rely on Finding Freedom in its written defence to Ms Markle’s High Court claim.
In its amended defence, ANL claims the Duchess “permitted information about her own private and family life and relationships, correspondence, as well as the private lives of other people, to enter the public domain by means of the book”.