The United Kingdom’s royal family is once again facing allegations of racism.
Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, said she was asked by the Buckingham Palace household member where she “really came from” during the event on Tuesday.
Buckingham Palace says the remarks by the staff member, are ‘unacceptable’.
Al Jazeera’s Paul Brennan reports from London.
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I identify as a garden vegetable. I object to derogatory remarks people make about broccoli and demand reparations and an apology by the United nations.
What a freaking woke era we are living in.
On one hand they say we are proud of our roots and on the other when asked where the roots are from, freaking world goes mad !!!
When you answer the first time that you are from HACKNEY and British, why ask several more times. Move along.
Yeah. She was proud of her roots in Hackney and being British. And then this lady did NOT accept that and kept pestering her.
@Tanga Z I agree. The issue at hand here is that racists in the UK cannot accept the fact that a non white person can be British. That’s the truth of the matter. You can spin it however you like, but we have seen this scenario play out a million times.
No doubt, they all are hypocrites and racists. They absolutely have no idea more than half of the world hates their existence.
The royal family is racist what’s new they built there wealth on black people sweat and blood they slave black people has any 1 has apologized no they are all racist in there
Wtf is wrong with asking where someone comes from? As an indeginous person, we do it all the time. I don’t care if your born in the country, I want to know about your ethnicity because it is how we make wider world connections. Given the occasion and etiquette when in the company of royalty. I would not be surprised if this was a premeditated act of sabotage. C’mon Aljazeera… That was barely racist and more like “woke” tsk tsk as click bait.
whereas these colonizers were well suited looters , they looted from where you really from ? , africa , indian subcontinent and native americans . looted the world of resources and made their pretty palaces to play king and queen . she should be asked where her riches comes from ??
I am going to give the old woman the benefit of the doubt on this. I think she merely wants to know where her roots was from specifically. Hence she even said she has french roots as an example. I think people are jumping into negative conclusions too fast.
That old lady may know more about Africa
@George Boehringer She does know Africa and the Caribbean but what she was asking was probably where specifically. Cannot expect her to guess. I mean I am sure if she just assumed that the girl’s heritage was from Africa when she turned out to be from the Caribbean, people would say she is being racist for assuming the girl was from a country in Africa just because she has dark skin. I think there is a case of reverse discrimination here.
edit: Although the old lady could have indeed stopped asking after the girl said she was born and bred in Britain to avoid this kind of situation.
I’m pretty sure she would treat a white Scottish lady dressed in full tartan the same. It’s not offensive to a British person to have their hair moved to view a name tag (which has been mentioned in other articles.) And I doubt this lady is the first black person the royals have encountered. Can’t an old lady be curious? Jeez, if you think that’s news worthy lucky you don’t live in Hong Kong!!!
Touching someone without permission is an offence in the UK. Depending on the severity it could count as common assault e.g.touching someone’s hair or sexual assault ie touching someone inappropriately. Lady H has fallen foul of the law too. Her behaviour counts as racial harassment under the Equality Act of 2010 and it’s a prosecutable offence. Under the Equality Act no one has the right to ask anyone about their ethnicity and no one is obliged to answer these questions. There were witnesses apparently to this incident and a Muslim police man who was a guest at the palace, was also asked these questions by Lady H. He was offended. Someone other people were asked these questions by lady h, and they were offended as well . Fulani isn’t the only person that complained about Lady H that evening. And apparently she’s had complaints made about her before about racist behaviour and the palace never dealt with it. This incident isn’t a social issue, it’s a legal one. Racial Harassment applies in this circumstance. And from what recent news is circulating, the police have been informed as well.
I have news for you. It is offensive to move a stranger’s hair without their permission. You would be wise not to do that to anyone.
Lady SH wasn’t simply an “old lady.” She was a highly experienced palace official in a sensitive public-facing role. If she didn’t know the basics of diplomacy and public relations, she was right to have resigned. She is now free to be a racist in her private life. A win-win for everyone
I was living in Australia and South Africa for 2 years never Asked a White Person from what part of Europe you really from
This big fat liar provided the script where is the witness of this black fat liar woman? Where is the witness? So much orchastrated. ASK THE WITNESS, ASK WHY SHE DID NOT GO DIRECTLY AT THE PALACE TO SAY SHE IS DISRESPECT BY LADY SUZANE? WHY THIS BIG FAT LIAR BLACK WOMAN GO ON TWITTER RIGHT AWAY FOR WHAT? WHERE IS THE WITNESS OF THAT SCRIPT? SHE ONLY SAY HER OWN LIES
Big fat black woman exag the question to plan racist, where is the witness of tnat script? Or she recorded it
Prejudiced is ignorance I self identify as a Polish redneck
My god. Who would have thought that the family responsible for genocide, looting and slavery is racist.
😓
Ngozi Fulani in Swahi.
If you get offended when people ask you where you are from, then you are being racist to yourself. You get offended with where you’re from?? Wtf?
her account? She has witnesses.
Nothing really wrong here. I mean the black race is multi national you can’t only conclude that she is an African from Africa. Such disgrace from over sensitivity.
That isn’t racist simple question. I’m african girl. But some people are ashamed of their african hairghat
But when the corrupt qatar people resign.
What’s wrong with asking someone what you parents or grand parents country?? I don’t understand how can that be racist. Anyway people are so sensitive nowadays
A reception hosted by Camilla and yet she’s not had the guts to say a word about this.
The photo clip on Aljizeera YouTube, this channel, show Fulani’s hand on a ladies arm, it should be considered as abuse, if that was someone touching her arm it would be called out as abuse.
the woman looked dressed like an african witchdoctor. asking her where she came from is NOT racist. being curious and trying to determine her ROOTS is NOT racist! what IS racist is the fulani woman’s attitude towards the royals, of which she has a long history.
The white race is a curse to Africa
Ngozi means skin and your skin c is black interpret fulani from swahili you’ll get the answer..your names betray u
How Is this racism? The woman clearly was wearing some sort of african traditional dress so howw is this racist to ask out of curiosity? I would have said i was born here but my roots are such and such. Its all about being in touch with ones identity. If i get a uk or usa citizenship i would still be seen as an indian as far as background is considered …how is this racist
Probably asking where that dress was from would have been much more tactful
@mimmi blu no that would be silly. If a european looking guy was in india and i ask him where are you from and if he was to say he was indian, my next question would be how come whats your background. This is mere curiosity not racism he could be angloindian or some french indian background etc
Buckingham palace IS institutionally racist
I am not surprised at all because the Uk royal family is always a racists family.
Asking your ethnicity is not being racist. And if you don’t like to answer, even if the person asking is being impolite or polite, don’t answer even if they’ll call you rude.
@A M Racism exists, yes, but to be oversensitive about it to even criminalise asking of your roots/ethnicity is just woke.
It’s one thing to be called black/brown, but to not be given job opportunities, shown respect because of your color/ethnicity is the real issue.
@Lauat i don’t make the laws so if you’re not happy take it up with the relevant law makers. I’m merely advising you of the equality act. I didn’t personally create it.
@A M I know you didn’t create it. As to lawmakers who are relevant, they’re extremely rare; popular today are the economic-gainers.
Sorry, but this issue is not up for debate. You are speaking from a lay- perspective, but it’s not a matter of opinion. Lady SH was at that event in an official capacity. In my job as a public-facing government employee, I have to do mandatory Equality and Diversity training every year, and we are educated about racist tropes, amongst other things, so there is no excuse. If Lady SH is not meeting the requirements of her job, as was suggested in the statement released by Buckingham Palace, it was right that she resigned. She can do what she pleases in her private life.
@Eastbourne lass There’s no expert opinion in racism, unless you’re on the receiving end of it. And even then, you can’t speak for all, ‘ cause that will be a pot calling a kettle black. Truth be told, BIs are way more intrusive and breaching of privacy, but asking your roots is racist.
You cannot reason a” racist” and i think the question about ancestry was suggested by the tone of the skin and not by the very presence of that very person at that very event.
That lady something doesn’t seem to know a lot about what is going on beyond Buckingham palace’s fences.
We’re all individual with ID cards not genealogycal trees.
Nothing wrong in that question 🙄🙄
Racism is a human as breathing. It’s here to stay, get used to it.
Obviously this woman went to the Palace with bad intentions. Seems nobody witnessed this encounter, in what was quite a crowded room; she’s pretty good in remembering ‘word for word’ what was said. She’s seeking attention and getting it. I wouldn’t give her the time of day … a troublemaker if ever there was one.
There are witnesses including a Muslim police man who was a guest. Lady H asked this policeman the same questions and he was offended. She asked some other people this question and they were offended. So Fulani isn’t the only person that complained about Lady H. Apparently she’s done this in the past and received complaints then too. The Palace however did not speak to her about her behaviour which is actually unlawful. UK law ie the Equality Act of 2010 does not permit anyone to ask someone about their ethnicity. And no one is obliged to answer questions about their ethnicity. UK law also says citizens have a right to privacy and not to be harassed. This matter I understand has been referred to the police. This isn’t a social issue, it’s a legal one. And Lady H has fallen foul of the law.
Yeah, she probably forced Lady SH to behave like an idiot so she could record everything.🙄
The crown of the old are the sons of sons,
and the glory of their children is their fathers.
Perhaps you’ll see more non white humans for photographs now
They are racist but i dont think this was racist
People might not like it but the whole world benefitted from the the contribution of Coloured people to civilization in Arts, Sciences & Education Mathematics, Medicine & Astronomy especially…so the deserve honour, dignity & respect…where ignorance is bliss its folly to be wise
Wait, you mean a rich royal family which has historically profited off of colonialism the world over has a problem with racism? I’m shocked.
That’s stupid to paint it as racism.
Why are west africans not proud to say where they from. If that was north african or east african they would say their ethnicity.
It’s simply not racist. It is respectful of Lady H asking this of her. SHUT DOWN HARRY AND MEGHAN.
She said nothing wrong
Can we terminate that “stupid word “ racist and racism and how does mainstream media encourage such craps when they are not talking about the truth! When did it become a crime or disrespectful asking someone of their ancestry! If that was the question then I wish the sister could have been proud instead of offended! And they are still suppressing us although there ain’t nothing like racism…only ignorance and stupidity!
meanwhile the racism discussion has taken unbearable shape. I am white, male, 42, dark blond hair, German, blue eyes and I traveled a lot in all parts of the world. When I was in China I was asked where I come from, the same in Morocco, Thailand, South Africa, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, U.A.E., US, Panama, Canada and many more countries simply everywhere and when I explained I come from Europe I was asked exactly what country then what city. A black women born in Great Britain usually does not bear a sign on her forehead that says ‘I am British, I am born here” so it’s only understandable that on any kind of social meeting someone would ask for closer details about her origin. So what? Please get back to normality otherwise I am obliged to cut any social contacts with foreigners or colored people in order not to get involved in such a useless, hypocritical and stupid discussion like this unfortunate Buckingham Palace lady. With regard to Meggan and Harry I want to point out that if my brother would have married a black woman it goes without saying that I would tell both of them that I am curious to know what color their child might have. It’s only natural!
EU with their colour
US with their pronoun
Hah… Haha… Indian here! We, for one, know very well about British racism.
Where r u from 9 times, pure RACIST 🐖
It’s harassment but it could be seen as racism . what’s she’s is techinically saying if you’re not white you’re not a British base on the context
I pretty much ask everyone where they are from, I’m interested, it is interesting, people ask me also, nothing wrong at all, all she had to do was tell her where her family were from, its part of conversation, people are so sensitive/defensive, now she is creating all this drama, why?
Are you familiar with the Equality Act of 2010? Under this law no one has the right to ask anyone about their ethnicity and no one is obliged to answer questions about their ethnicity. This behaviour is actually unlawful under the Equality Act and counts as racial harassment. Under UK law citizens have a right to privacy and not to be harassed. There were witnesses to this incident including a Muslim policeman who was a guest. Lady h also asked about his ethnicity. He was offended. This isn’t a social issue but a legal one. Asking someone about their ethnicity especially if you don’t know them is unacceptable. Whether someone is being friendly or not is irrelevant. If the person being asked takes offence to being asked about their ethnicity, depending on the situation, they can either report it to management at work if it’s a work scenario and dismissal from employment may be the end result for the asker of the question or the police can be informed if it’s a public scenario. Racial harassment is a criminal offence too. There are racists out there and the Equality Act serves to protect everyone against racism. And everyone must abide by the law inc the royal family.
People are entitled to their privacy, and you don’t have a right to know about their ancestry simply because you are interested. Ngozi gave the response that she was comfortable with. The lady should have accepted it and moved on. She had no right to bager Ngozi for more information, let alone move her hair without permission. Let’s remember, this lady was acting in an official capacity as a high-ranking palace official, so comparing her with yourself doesn’t come into it. It’s not about you.
Asking someone dressed in traditional African clothing where they are from is not the same as asking someone in British clothing where they are from. But why is this so called racist comment being media covered and not “Despite making up only 13% of London’s total population, black Londoners account for 45% of London’s knife murder victims, 61% of knife murder perpetrators and 53% of knife crime perpetrators.”?
This woman openly bad mouthed the royal family a year before on social media. This was a setup. Dressing like a tribal member when you’re really from London and with no clue about your own heritage 🤡
It was a set-up, her birth name is Marlene Headley. Why don’t news channels do any research or digging prior to reporting on a case? Marlene also received funding from the “frauds” at BLM. She certainly got a lot of PR out of her own goal. Especially has the African name she chose is the name of Islamic African Slave Traders. It’s snowballing now with people of colour defending Lady Susan Hussey.
hhh why so thin ear lol it’s common question people ask WTH
I am black and if someone asked me where are my roots ? Or originally from i wouldn’t be offended
Even when the question is repeated 9 times plus the person is touching your hair ??
Oh, good for you. I’m sure she would be happy to employ you as her house slave. Now that she doesn’t have her job anymore, she will need you to make her feel important.
People who’s families have been here for generations will proudly speak of their ancestral roots in Germany, Scotland, China, Persia, etc. There’s nothing racist about asking about a person’s ancestral roots. Is the “victim” ashamed of her own ancestry? Snowflake City.
How about you asking King Charles, where he is REALLY from? How often does he “proudly speak” of his German roots – according to your comment, that’s what he should be doing, right? Or – also according to you – is he ashamed of that?
In my opinion it is neither – he just doesn’t feel German, or Greece or anything else. People might not be proud OR ashamed of their ancestors, because they don’t care for that, but only how they feel themselves.
So you are totally misconstructing an argument here.
So what.
Ngozi was very restrained, in my opinion. If a stranger had moved my hair like that, I would have slapped her hand away in self-defence. She will remember not to do it again.
That’s what I keep telling people. It’s also classed as common assault. Imagine if a man had done this and touched a woman’s hair 😲 People would be screaming sexual harassment and all sorts. So why do they think this is ok? If someone touched my hair without permission they’d get punched in the face.
@A M Because it’s a women touching another women’s hair. It’s not seen as harassment.
@TheRebelliousPrince007 how do we know the women involved aren’t gay? And touching doesn’t have to be sexual. Any type of touching can be deemed as a threat. Women commit crimes as well. What if i woman grabs another woman’s hair? In fights women do touch each others hair. However under common assault mild touching could be classed as an offence.
@A M I’m totally with you!
I was just referring to how modern society sees it. Even if it was a case of a woman sexually harassing another woman, it wouldn’t be taken seriously by the media. It doesn’t fit the narrative.
Personally, I think it was wrong of the old lady to touch her hair.
@TheRebelliousPrince007 i agree. As you don’t know the other person’s intentions you can’t be sure they won’t eg pull out a knife or something. No stranger touches me. Nope
The royal family is left over of the British empire. They have built their empire on bases of racism. Death Queen built her empire with Indian and African blood and bones.
Yeah nice UK name and that UK dress you’re wearing you mugu Choggie
Meghan telling the truth about racist but britons deny. Lol now we understand what ia behind the door
I have a very unique second name and I’m often asked where it comes from even though I was born in Britain. I take the opportunity to talk about my ancestral country as I’m proud of my ancestry and want people to know. Why is asking where someone is from racist???
Well, One of Royal Family was asking about her aide’s root. Yeah, it might sound rude for some people, including that former aide. But, I think she ought to ask her if the question is about her birth in UK or her identity as Afro-British. Also, Royal family needs to elaborate more understanding words to explain the question. Even they are trying to understand their aides, they need to look at the others, whom she might not be able to reach.
🤣🤣🤦🏽♂🤦🏽♂🤣🤣
How naive are you guys is amazing…we’ve seen the so called King how much racist he is when his mother died
With that traditional wear her roots, heritage, nationality and lineage is straight up British. No doubt about that.
Pure devil
British media and journalists don’t have any other news to publish.
SO I AM TO BELIEVE THE QUEENS HOME SKILLET BESTIE IS RACIST BUT THE QUEEN IS WASNT OR WASNT AWARE ?😏🤔🕷I’M NOT THAT GENEROUS, I DONT BELIEVE IT
Overeager wokeness has become the problem now 💁. Europe will very soon pay the price of this overtolerance. 🤦
These type of questions are as common as breakfast in continental Europe
Racism is in the blood of western people mostly in white people.
But if we read the history of the world so we will found the white people most cunning and cruel…
Why does inherent and institutional racism in English Royal family come as a surprise to people ???
Their empire was built on it …and is sustained by it today…
The african lady aint british…its not racism..we are africans..we should be proud of our backgroynd
She is British, she was born and brough up here, but she’s not Anglo saxon. Her origins are Afro Caribbean.
Who cares
That’s not racist comment.
Not once again, they have been doing so since the days of imperialism 😎
I hate long comments
What you expected from Camilla and Charles ?
These are the some racist people who barks on Human rights
I reckon she planned on race- baiting Camilla but had to do with second best…
We’re the comments racist? Seriously please research this accuser background. The lady was set up. Your headline implies you favor a woman who stated the royal are abusers. Why did she attend?
Stop giving Marlene who is a racist lying woman a platform.
Yeah she wants to know your roots – lol it’s not racist to ask someone where they come from or where their family comes from it
Britain and France the problem of African stealing our gold diamond oil gas timber copper platinum uranium palm oil etc.
Yet they in return they abuse us racially. 🤧😪
I didn’t really think this was a big deal initially. Then I actually thought about it. I was born in Australia and although the question has been posed to me many a time, I have never asked a white person ‘what part of Europe they’re reaaaalllllyyyyy from’. Suppose this really is a systemic issue, deeply rooted in racism. Don’t steal people from their lands and then when their children and children’s children are born in your land have the nerve to press them about ‘where they’re reaaalllllyyyyy from’ lol.
Probably another set up by MeAgain and HasBeen to draw the spotlight away from the future king brother and pour rain on the earth shot awards. God forbid those two could just stay home and “protect their family” like they claim is all the time under supposed threat. Those two make me wanna hurl.
Everything is about the context. Of course asking someone where he came from is not racist but the way asking it in this context and insisting even after the lady said where his parents from is is not even well that racist. I mean she is working for how many years in the royal family and should know what kind of questions to ask. No surprise about the clueless of this royalty anyway and Britis themselves 😂
I don’t know the full story but as a black woman I go by the tone someone uses. If it’s curiosity then ok but if it’s a English bigot and they ask where I come from I just my mothers womb🤣or reverse phychology “ I don’t know , if your that interested ,the masters surname y’all gave me , when you stole and sold me,should help you trace my roots, then I will know where I come from ……Mike drop
I’ve seen transcripts now, yh disgusting 🤮
It’s not racist more news of fake news
Setup by Megan Markle…to much of a coincidence. Investigate her background. Probably a fraud and paid by Markle
She wasn’t even invited. Is her charity investigated as legitimate
How do you know that she wasn’t invited?
She looks like she comes from Angola
No from Londen and is British .
ah…..just give me a break… that is ok to ask, i would be curious too since she is so interesting dressed.
Who remember all of Harveys thoughts being misgiven
Believe the black lady is on Megan’s payroll!!
BS it was timed perfectly when William and Catherine are in Boston and Harry and Meghan release their Netflix series on racism.
This woman accused the RF of RACISM and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE against Meghan. WHEN did Meghan accuse them of Domestic Violence?
WHO invited her and why was she dressed in African clothes?
WE ONLY HAVE HER WORD ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID.
The older woman was going around to find out the persons NAME (how many does this woman USE?), where she is from and what group she represents.
Imagine the outrage if a PRINCESS or some other black titled woman wasn’t introduced with her title? The reason the woman moved her hair was she put
her hair OVER her name tag. Time to see who sponsored this woman and are they Meghan supporters too?
ANYONE THINK A WOMAN DRESSED LIKE THAT IS FROM ENGLAND?
Are we suprised?
Her legal name is Marlene Headley, not Ngozi Fulani.
Ngozi is Nigerian name, Felani is name of tribe, she was born in England and her family is from Barbados.
She dresses like African caricature, bacause no African dresses like that. It feels like it’s a cosplay. It’s an outfit a racist person would put together if they had to make a stereotypical image of what they think an African dresses like.