Lady Susan Hussey quits over remarks to charity boss Ngozi Fulani

Anton_Berg said:
Nowhere do I say that. I am questioning why it is not enough, apparently, for that person to apologise and be dismissed summarily.
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Fair enough (y)

I think she is on the news etc as it is a massive story - I don't think the coverage is designed to punish the woman more, although it probably is punishing her.
 
If that transcript is accurate, it goes way beyond an insensitive question it is incredibly ignorant in the persistence of following the thoughts within her head and not listening to what is being said. Just one part of that exchange
SH: No, what part of Africa are you from?
Me: I don't know, they didn't leave any records.
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An appropriate response might be either to change the subject or to express empathy "oh that is awful/sad/etc" but to persist with what reads more like an interrogation than a polite conversation is rude and yes based on ignorance and racism.
 
BoroMart said:
...and that's great and inoffensive because it's the accent that made them different not the skin colour. An accent is an accident of someones upbringing, skin colour isn't.

I'm not sure what this lady felt knowing the DNA heritage of a british born person would add to their conversation. If I find out somebody was born and raised in Sweden, I can talk about my experiences of working on Volvo Island and living in Gothenburg and maybe the conversation goes somewhere. If I find out someones grandmother was born in Ghana or Nigeria it doesn't enhance my knowledge or conversation with someone that has probably never been there.

I see a lot about how unfair it is an old woman was sacked, but is age a valid excuse for racism?
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So if your white then you can ask white people where they’re from but if they’re not white then you can’t ask?
Would you not talk to a Ghanaian or Nigerian because you haven’t worked there or have no knowledge of their country.

Once the lady said I’m British then should could have just said ok.
 
Facefuzz said:
Would you not talk to a Ghanaian or Nigerian because you haven’t worked there or have no knowledge of their country.
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Of course you would but this lady had already said:
I don't know, they didn't leave any records
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When asked what part of Africa she was from (in itself a little insensitive) At that point you let it go or show some sympathy not continue to demand an answer.
 
Facefuzz said:
So if your white then you can ask white people where they’re from but if they’re not white then you can’t ask?
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Nope, if someone has an accent you can ask them where they are from, because an accent indicates where you grew up and therefore what your reference points in life are. Skin colour does not tell you where someone grew up or what their reference points are.
 
Facefuzz said:
Would you not talk to a Ghanaian or Nigerian because you haven’t worked there or have no knowledge of their country.
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Of course I would talk to them, rediculous logical leap to claim I wouldn't. Of course I would talk to them, and if it was relevant would love to hear about where they grew up, but it wouldn't be my opening gambit.
 
Firstly - it is clear unacceptable racism by the Lady in Waiting - on top of the verbal comments she also brushed the other lady's hair aside to look at her badge, which is a bit too assertative and over bearing for someone you have just met at such a meeting. The older lady was probably brought up with values that are unaccepable today and has not modified her views to reflect changes in society.

Secondly it highlights to me the increasing differences in UK society, Upper class, over 80s from the shires will not mix much if at all with people living in Hackney or they may have a view of society from say 45 years ago. In 1977 the UK was comprised of around 3% of people who were from a non white racial type, now it is around 17.5%. Where I live the racial profile is radically different from say London abnd Birmingham, but wasn't in the 1940s.

We hopefully all on here recognise anyone can be 100% British and non white, but I noticed some of my relatives when they entered their 80s were stuck in a different age, they didn't use the internet, they watched a lot of old TV, in fact went backwards (as far are recognising changing society), loved watching TV dramas about a different age particularly their own childhood (WW2 say) and certainly in 2022 I would not have had those relatives representing an organisation at social gatherings such as was taking part at Buckingham Palace. I am sure there are some very sharp 83 years old, but some start to show signs of dementia, mental health issues etc. I don't know this Lady in Waiting, but her mental state could be changing too? Some of her questions seemed so over the top which also hints to some mental health issues e.g what part of Africa are you from? when there had already been a dialogue about her background.
 
Anton_Berg said:
83 year old says something that is politically incorrect by inference, is sacked without delay and apologises. Victim is traumatised but manages to appear on media, re-living the ordeal.

I can't think of any over-80s I've known who were politically correct. Some of them were very kind people as well. Best not to let them out.
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Meanwhile - Andrew?????
 
Muttley said:
If that transcript is accurate, it goes way beyond an insensitive question it is incredibly ignorant in the persistence of following the thoughts within her head and not listening to what is being said. Just one part of that exchange

An appropriate response might be either to change the subject or to express empathy "oh that is awful/sad/etc" but to persist with what reads more like an interrogation than a polite conversation is rude and yes based on ignorance and racism.
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You can see it with people with onset dementia and people on the autistic spectrum.
 
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