Last week’s Sunday night Oprah interview that surfaced worldwide resulted in over millions of views. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry, shared a troubling testimony of their lives as royals while most notably highlighting issues that have been deeply ingrained in the British monarchy for over 1200 years.
The couple discussed a variety of matters that touched on racism, suicide, and a lack of support from royal family members, including Harry’s father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William.
At the beginning of the interview, Meghan revealed the very serious topic of black women and women of color often suffering the consequences of under-representation and support when it comes to their mental health. “I just didn’t see a solution,” Markle told Winfrey. “But I knew that if I didn’t say it that I would do it — and I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.”
While the Oprah interview received praise from American viewers, the U.K had a different response in support of the British Monarchy- denying overwhelming facts that Black women and women of color have faced in regards to seeking professional help when it comes to their mental well-being, and often either being denied or fully silenced in the process.
In an interview conducted on BBC World News, Political Commentator, and Hampton University Junior, Nupol Kiazolu states. “ Black women and women of color will always be too loud for a world that never intended on listening to them. She adds. “We will always be too strong for a world that does not see the barriers we have to go through every single day to obtain that strength this world speaks of.”
Markle’s honest and open conversation on the topic of suicide has started the process of demolishing the many preconceived notions some people have towards mental health. Society has often placed this subject on the backburner.
Alongside Meghan’s shocking testimony about the horrifying encounters she’s experienced with suicidal thoughts, she raised another concerning topic: The racism displayed by the royal family. Markle revealed, “ There were several concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born.”
Meghan also spoke on the matter of birthrights as it pertains to her and Harry’s son Archie being denied protection and a royal title due to his biracial background.
Despite those who are in denial, the issues remain. Racism, mental health, and the lack of support black women and women of color often face, are topics that must be addressed no matter how uncomfortable or frightening those conversations and their potential solutions might be.
Gabrielle Tazewell, Journalism student at The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University
