Meghan Markle on Racism and Responsibility: "They are complicit in people's frustration."

Meghan Markle on Racism and Responsibility: "They are complicit in people's frustration."

Meghan Markle discussed her complacency about racism in a video call last week with Prince Harry and young leaders of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust Network. The Duchess and the Duke of Sussex discussed racism, equality, and justice with Chrysan Jarrett, co-CEO and co-founder of the youth immigration charity We Belong (opens in new tab); Alicia Wallace, director of Equality Bahamas (opens in new tab (open in new tab), Mike Omoniyi, founder and CEO of The Common Sense Network (open in new tab), and Abdullahi Alim, Africa and Middle East leader of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community (open in new tab). I spoke with.

"It is not the big moments, but the quiet moments, where racism and unconscious prejudice lie, and it is those nuances that confuse many people from understanding the role they play in it, whether passive or active," Megan said, The Independent reports (opens in new tab). 'In people's complacency, they are complicit. That is the shift we are seeing. I think that's what you're seeing very clearly in what you're feeling from people's outrage over the killing of George Floyd."

"It's not that this was always happening, it's that it came to a head when people said, 'Enough is enough.' [Alicia Wallace said, "It's because we can combine what we already know and what we're learning with the raw emotions we're feeling right now." Wallace added, "We each need to ask (ourselves) what we are willing to do now and how we can contribute to a change that we can no longer pretend is not necessary."

"We all need to take the long view," said Krisann Jarrett. 'This is not a hashtag: ...... We have to be persistent in our demand that change must happen, and we are not going to stop until it does."

The conversation extended to alliances, with Abdullahi Alim emphasizing that "in any situation, it is always best to let the groups involved determine the best course of action."

"After pressing send online, people need to roll up their sleeves and get to work," said Mike Omoniyi.

"There are many things that it means to be an ally, but the driving force has to be humility, kindness, and a willingness to learn new things."

Prince Harry also nodded to the history of vicious racism in the British Empire from which the Commonwealth grew. He said, "As we look at the Commonwealth as a whole, we cannot move forward unless we acknowledge the past. 'Many people have done incredible things to acknowledge the past and right wrongs.'

"It's not easy, and in some cases not comfortable, but it needs to be done," he added. [because] only by getting past that discomfort can we get to the other side of this issue and find a place where the high tide will raise all boats," Meghan said. 'Equality is not something that puts anyone backwards, it puts us all on the same playing field, and that is a fundamental human right.'

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