The consequences of Meghan and Harry’s interview: Comments on Archie’s skin might not be racist, says Teuila Blakely

Teuila Blakely says there is a possibility that discussions about Archie’s skin color, allegedly raised by a member of the royal family, are not “damning.”

The mixed-race actress says her family has had similar conversations, and depending on the context, these may or may not be fueled by racism.

“At a time when racism is at the forefront of our world in terms of raising awareness around it, I think [those comments] it can be damning. [But] I think what is really important to remember [is] We didn’t understand the context of how that conversation or how those ‘concerns’ were presented, “the Sione’s Wedding actress said during After the Interview on Three last night.

“For the royal family, who have never had a person of color in their ranks before, the possibility that their first great-grandson could be of color would be a conversation they would have.”

According to the actress, the context of the situation is what dictates whether the comment was product or racism or something more innocent than that.

“I come from a mixed race family and I know that my father’s family in central Otago acted in exactly the same way when my Samoan mother came on the scene. Those conversations were had about whether the children would be brown,” said the former Shortland Street. said the star.

“They could definitely be damning, if we know the context, if they were really racial, but also if it was just a conversation of,” Well Harry, do you think he’s going to be pretty dark? “

During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said that a member of the royal family expressed concern with Prince Harry about how “dark” Archie’s skin color would be when he was pregnant.

Both Meghan and Harry declined to name the royal who made the comment, hinting that it was due to racism.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement, following the interview, saying they are taking the allegations seriously and will investigate.

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are worrisome. While some memories may vary, they are taken very seriously and the family will address them in private,” the statement read.