It’s a truth not universally acknowledged, that when anti-discrimination laws morph from proscribing harms to appease those who take offence at words, the ranks of the offendarati swell in the resulting republic of hurt sentiments. Thus it came to pass that the elderly Lady Susan Hussey’s curiosity tripped over the fast-expanding list of sensibilities that must not be touched for fear of spontaneous combustion. No amount of ritualistic self-flagellation will undo the damage. A woman of Caribbean ancestry born and living in the UK, adopts an African name, wears African apparel and jewellery, has an MA in African studies, boasts of African ancestry, but is offended when asked where in Africa she’s from? On any objective reading, the Royals’ treatment of Lady Hussey seems nastier than her transgression. Of the three principals in the sorry affair, a habitual race-baiter who has made a professional career out of victimhood has behaved the most despicably. The Royals have betrayed the loyalty of an aide and godmother to Prince William. Lady Hussey has shown dignity despite having the most cause to feel hurt, bewildered and traumatised after decades of service to Queen and country. If there was justice in this increasingly weird world, Lady Hussey – subjected to a ‘ritual humiliation masquerading as social justice’ (Sebastian Milbank) – would receive a public royal apology and Ngozi Fulani would be cut from society after such publicity seeking antics.
