I must be psychic as I posted earlier today on the Harry & Meghan thread that I wondered “What Would The Queen Do?“ and suggested she would call upon Paddington Bear to direct one his “hard stares” of Disapproval at them! I doubted whether a Bear could be accused of racism! ….I suspect Lady Susan would also have that stare down to a fine art!
Susan Hussey, Baroness Hussey of North Bradley, once Lady-inWaiting
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I agree about the costume raising questions/curiousity. But Lady Susan should have backed off rather than pushing the issue IMO.
She may be embarassed, sad, even devastated by the loss of her position. But her livelihood doesn't depend on it. There are so many working people who get laid off from their jobs at a much younger age than Susan (but still old as far as the workplace). Those people have real financial consequences. (and it doesn't feel good to be dumped by your employer either)
So I feel a bit sorry for her but not all that much. She had a good run.
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Cold comfort.
Whatever the case, you will always find somebody who is worse of.
Is that really a consolation?
NO!
It is an easy way out.
That way you do not have to show sympathy for anybody, because you will always find somebody who is still worse of.
But here in this thread we talk about Lady Susan Hussey.
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Lady Susan gave years of Service and loyalty to the Crown, and came from a family who did the same. It was part of her DNA - doing your Bit for Queen/King and Country (I speak as the daughter of a WW2 serviceman). I am in a mixed marriage and I can certainly distinguish between intentional racism & benign clumsiness. If you look for it you will find it. I doubt Lady Susan worried about herself in any of this or the loss of her position. It would have been that the consequence of her interaction with Ms Fulani was to cause embarrassment to the Royals. Loyalty deserves to be reciprocated IMO. I must say, I think I’m signing off now if this discussion has been labelled racist.
This discussion surely is not racist.
Or else anything on earth is racist, and there is nothing without racism.
Let us return to this discussion, where human decency is the topic.
Is that what we call invading someone's personal space, now? I don't know how some of you were raised but I was raised that you do not intentionally touch ANY strangers hair without permission for ANY reason - my Goodness - especially at a PUBLIC event! Do you really feel she has a right to do that outside of a rare health situation? Where is some of your shame and respect. Susan was not entitled to brush touch her hair to reveal her name badge. Why didn't she do like a normal person at a function and ASK what is her name if her badge was concealed? Or politely ask if she can move her hair so she can read her name? Also, Susan was not security. If she felt she was a security threat she knows how to contact security and they can inquire as to who she is. But some people like Susan feel entitled to encroach on black people's space, demand incessant interrogatories into their background (after being corrected), and fail to respect black women's bodily autonomy.
So anything outside of the Anglo-Saxon aesthetic is theatric, out-of-place, or "costume" attire, to you?
I think there’s just a lot of extreme opinions out there on this and I don’t think it needs to be extreme. I don’t think the lady was racist, and it’s totally fine to ask someone -anyone- where they’re from, certainly in a place like the UK with lots of immigrants and expats. It was very clumsy of her to keep persisting in her questioning (like I said this applies to any personal matter when you’re talking to a stranger) but I would not consider that a fireable offense on its face. I’m guessing much of the story of why she was pushed out happened when she spoke to the staff about it. Either she was mortified to have caused a ruckus unintentionally and felt it proper to step down or she was not cooperative and was forced to step down. I’m inclined to believe it was the former and of course no one would beg her to stay. I don’t know her or the other lady to assume either one had malice.
she was dressed differently from everyone else....that could raise curiousity. I know very little about her. don't know if she always dresses that way or not
OK, and most normal people would inquire about the dress/outfit, not continuously pester the person wearing it about their background after they've said where they are from. In my world that is not curiosity, that is "putting someone in their place".
yes, she should have backed off and maybe her attitude came from some sort of entitlement but maybe it partly came out of her being an old lady
I would like to think so, but sadly this is no place for me. I come from a different world. I shall do a Lady Susan and fall on my sword now! Your threads have been most enjoyable & fun, thank you.
I am really surprised this is a normal question people ask. Ive lived in multi-cultural communities all my 20s and 30s and never once have I asked someone where they are from. To me, it implies that the person doesn't belong "here". It is just rude to me but I guess I am in the minority. I always ask "where is home for you?" which inevitably leads to them revealing their background, even if they themselves are American.
If human decency is the topic can we not extend that grace to everyone involved? Or is that only reserved for Lady Hussey?
It never ceases to amaze me how white people (and I am one) will do everything we can to explain why something could not possibly be racist...including attacking the POC who was harmed in the process.
For me the question: "Where are you from" is a question of a friendly human interest.
I have been asked that often, and I have never found it insulting.
I am German, and when traveling through the UK I have been asked "Are you Welsh?" in Scotland.
And "Are you Scottish?" in Wales.
I took that as a compliment. In other words it meant: "Your accent is different from mine, but not too different."
I have been asked that often, and I have never found it insulting.
I am German, and when traveling through the UK I have been asked "Are you Welsh?" in Scotland.
And "Are you Scottish?" in Wales.
I took that as a compliment. In other words it meant: "Your accent is different from mine, but not too different."
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