Harry and Meghan call for an end to ‘structural racism’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have called for an end to “structural racism” in an article written for a newspaper for Black History Month.

Prince Harry and Meghan said there had been changes in the UK in the last 30 years, but that “not enough progress had been made.”

They were writing in the London Evening Standard while highlighting the leaders of the UK black community.

The couple recently urged voters in US elections to “reject hate.”

The Duke and Duchess moved to Santa Barbara with their son Archie and agreed to a deal to create shows for the streaming service Netflix, having stepped back as royalty in January.

In the article they said that “if you are white and British, the world you see often looks like you” and spoke of the importance for young people to see role models and leaders who share the same skin color as themselves.

“As long as structural racism exists, there will be generations of young people of color who will not begin their lives with the same equal opportunities as their white peers. And as long as that continues, the untapped potential will never be realized,” they warned.

The Duke and Duchess concluded the article by saying: “We cannot change history, nor can we edit our past. But we can define our future as one that is inclusive, one that is equal, and one that is colorful.”

The Runnymede group of racial equality experts describes structural racism as “the set of circumstances created artificially over generations, through European colonialism, that hold that ‘whiteness’ is superior.”

After the article was published, a spokesman for Prince Harry told the BBC: “The Duke believes that structural racism exists in the UK and I think it would be difficult to find someone who disagrees with that.”

“He is not saying that Britain is structurally racist or that Britain is racist.” The spokesman said the duke was referring to parts of institutions in Britain.

In an accompanying interview, Meghan said that she understood that the Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd’s death in the United States had been “incendiary for many people”, but said that when there is a peaceful protest with the intention of wanting community and equality , ” Something beautiful”.

She added: “While it has been a challenge for many people to have to make this historically important recognition that has brought people to where they are, that is uncomfortable for people. We recognize it. It is uncomfortable for us.”

Prince Harry told the newspaper that he accepted that some of his views could be seen as “controversial” but said it was an important time to use his platform. He said it was not about “finger pointing” but about an important moment in British and world culture “that we should understand and celebrate.”

They also talked about their son, who Meghan said keeps them on their toes, and the dance group Diversity’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent, which the duke said was “the most astonishing display.”

The “Next Generation Pioneers” list was selected by BAME celebrities, including rugby player Maro Itoje, Booker award winner Bernadine Evaristo and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.

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