I have comments. But I'm feeling too annoyed, the post I was writing disappeared and that Netflix trailer made my headache worse.
The headlines are getting worse - Guardian really stirring it (headline about trying to make Ngozi denounce citizenship
) and I just read an article - someone's first hand account of BP's 'racism', in which most of the article was about the person's own feelings of not belonging and expectation of racism. Not discounting their experiences - plenty of people I know have experienced racism to some extent in the UK and other places. But plenty of them have also managed to overcome the stand-offishness or outright hostility with some patience, and have assimilated well, or least found some form of community.
These articles crying about encountering racist behaviour - mostly limited to the question 'where are you from' - while admitting that they themselves feel out of place (of course you will in a palace, unless you're like Smegs) and expecting to be discriminated against...these are really so harmful and make light of those who have suffered far worse than what could very well be curiosity about their origins.
I get it. I have family and friends who have had to go and settle within communities and work with people who don't trust or like 'outsiders'. They're not treated very badly, but aren't treated very nicely either. But then honestly, can any of us claim that we face no discrimination or rude behaviour within our own communities? Or even our own families?
I think I'm rambling now, but will say that we are not living in an ideal world where everyone is deemed equal, or where instant acceptance is guaranteed. It is understandable and fair to be alert and refuse to tolerate discrimination, but it is also extremely harmful - both to yourself and others - to go around expecting trouble and flying off the handle at every perceived slight. Don't tolerate disrespect, but maybe take a beat to understand whether there actually is some disrespect.
BBC showed the woman while I was typing this. She was all Smegsy-in-whingefest and described how Lady SH just came up to her, moved her hair aside to read her tag and said she wanted to know her name, 'all without any conversation'. Like maybe dude, there was a lot of noise and she wanted to make sure she got your name right? I ask for spellings or prefer to read names and such too because my ears are constantly ringing. And maybe she wouldn't have needed to read your name if you'd introduced yourself like a normal polite person?
In other news, the South African President is in trouble. Smegs went to the same black magic practitioner as my aunt, and uncle's wife I swear
(and no, it's not a racist thing. I'm serious. They really do this hexing etc)