Meghan Markle Is All of Us
She’s THAT Woman Who Ain’t Afraid
“You need to want to be saved,” says Markle at the end of what was one of the most honest and remarkable interviews I’ve ever seen. It was painful, hurtful, blistering and heartbreaking. As I sat on the edge of my seat, I prepared myself for what I instinctively knew she and Prince Harry were going to share with the world for the first time — racism fueled the fear of the monarchy.
From discussions about the skin tone of their children to the ever-changing rules of their royal status, lack of protection, and the institution’s refusal to assist Markle with mental health wellness, I found myself cringing and crying.
I was emotionally triggered because Markle’s story is the real life experience of women of color across the world who just want to be given the benefit of their humanity, yet our race plays a role in how we’re treated by those in power. And when we muster the courage to share our truth about the mental trauma and abuse we’ve endured under their control, the “firm” intentionally begins spewing negative narratives about our character.
Like Markle, when a black woman speaks her truth about racism, sexism, ageism, micro aggressions, passive aggressiveness, disrespect, disregard, ANYTHING that is experienced in our ‘firm’ — the workplace — she is permanently branded as ‘aggressive,’ ‘militant,’ ‘angry,’ ‘unfriendly,’ ‘unkind,’ ‘unprofessional,’ ‘intimidating,’ ‘unapproachable,’ ‘demanding,’ and ‘angry,’ to name a few. Yes, there are more unfair and prejudiced characterizations.
- When a black woman speaks her truth she’s told what she experienced didn’t happen the way she portrays it.
- When a black woman speaks her truth it’s met with the rolling of the eyes and defensive behavior from the ‘firm.’
- When a black woman speaks her truth it has to be backed up with written and visual evidence and it’s still not believed.
- When a black woman speaks her truth she needs corroborating witnesses and if they’re black they, too, aren’t believed.
- When a black woman speaks her truth — she’s exhausted — because gaslighting, minimalizing, and marginalizing her experience have been her entire life’s existence.
Racism is more than just saying the n-word, which is the least of my concerns during this social movement of racial reckoning. Racists are people who use their power to suppress the voices and actions of people of color. Racists are acutely aware of their intentional use of covert behaviors that straddle the line just enough to not be held accountable. This is white privilege in action, along with minimizing the experiences of black and brown people by the ‘firm’ which says “they’re just using the race card.”
The so-called race card is RACISM.
Our feelings and experiences are not made up in our minds — they are real — and we spend our entire lives taking mentally exhaustive measures to counter the ‘firms’ opinions of us. Our professionalism, integrity, and work ethic never hold a candle to the ‘firm’s’ perceptions, biases, and false narratives.
For the past year, corporations have spent thousands of dollars for ads supporting Black Lives Matter and claiming they want to end systemic racism. Some companies have now created diversity departments and hired inclusion directors. This is the easy and typical public marketing move that I call “trendy,” but there’s more to do.
Your first step is to believe that our experiences and our stories are true. Second step: hold people accountable, which Markle did by sharing her truth and making the necessary moves to save their souls. Third step: do YOUR work to become anti-racist. Fourth step: become an ally and call out racist behavior of your white co-workers, friends, and anyone who offends your very essence of existence.
Like thousands of white women who are speaking their truth and are believed and supported when they are mistreated, women of color need your support, too. As I continue to fight for equality and justice in the media after being fired for speaking up about the mistreatment in the workplace, I’ve come to realize that in the absence of support, I can always rely on my truth which will now be heard louder than ever because my very existence and soul are nurtured by my voice.
Markle’s voice was loud and clear and she had the courage to take a stand against the ‘firm.’ By her side is her prince Harry — a husband, father, and an ally. He spoke truth to power and is holding people accountable by making life decisions that support his mental health and not a monarchy.
The real life story of a commoner marrying a prince can come true. It did for Meghan Markle. And the fairytale ended just the way it’s supposed to — with compassion, understanding, and most importantly love. For black women, courage can be a lonely place, but Markle’s revelation and relentless pursuit to honor her truth is honorable and admired.
Thank you Meghan for your transparency. You and Harry not only saved each other, you validated a black woman’s real experience of the mental and physical exhaustion of our existence.
Yeah — you’re THAT woman who ain’t afraid!
