Meghan Markle Showed Bravery In Speaking Out

The story of Meghan Markle, the former Duchess of Sussex, is a sign of the hidden faults within a racist system that almost drove the former princess to suicide.

Dubbed Megexit by the United Kingdom media and British tabloids, suspicions had previously been raised as to what caused Markle and her husband—former Duke Harry—to leave the Royal Family in January of 2020.

However, when Oprah Winfrey interviewed Markle and Prince Harry on March 7, the world was quickly taken by storm. Markle said they left because her son Archie was not given his prince title or granted security because the Royal Family was concerned about how dark his skin would be.

Prince William—Prince Harry’s brother—defended the family by saying they’re not racist to reporters recently. However, the allegations of racism against the Royal Family have shed light on an issue that has been recently brought to the forefront in America: institutionalized racism. 

Gone are the days of blatant racism that came in the form of slavery and legal segregation. Racial disparities passed from previous generations are now found in political sectors, education, healthcare, wealth and in the British monarchy in the form of microaggressions, stereotypes and jokes.

Those disparities are perpetuated through subtle differences when discussing individuals of different backgrounds, as well as indifference among those who aren’t actively afflicted. 

The broken system is now beginning to make its way into more meaningful discussions. However, when it’s known that institutions as powerful as the British monarchy have profited off these racist systems for more than three hundred years, it becomes difficult to fathom how they intend to atone for them now. 

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” said the late American novelist and activist James Baldwin.

Countless people don’t receive the same global coverage Markle did. The bravery she demonstrated by telling her story is one of many steps in repairing the damage caused by the broken system.