Protect Black women – always!
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had an exclusive interview with her husband Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey, which aired Sunday night. The explosive interview detailed their tense relationship with the British royal family and the racism that led to them breaking away. Winfrey used her platform to give the Duchess a voice; she spoke the truth that many Black women have felt having to deal with racial microaggressions in silence with a smile.
During the two-hour interview, the Duchess spoke on the impact of being an unprotected member of the royal family led her to have a mental health crisis, even contemplating suicide as a means to get out.
“I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said. “And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember — I remember how he just cradled me.”
After the couple fled to Canada, they were cut off from the royal coffers and were not offered protection except from Tyler Perry. He put them up in his mansions and paid for their security until they could get on their feet. Again, protecting a Black woman when toxic whiteness attempted to break her down.
“We didn’t have a plan,” the Duchess told Winfrey. The expecting mom said the invitation from Perry, a close friend, “gave us breathing room to try to figure out what we were going to do.”
The internet rallied around the Duchess, Harry, and their son, Archie, after the interview, after learning that even their unborn child was facing racist attacks from the family.
“We have in tandem the conversation of ‘He won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title’ and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born,” Meghan said.
Tennis star, and close friend of the Duchess penned a letter in solidarity, saying how proud she was of her for opening up about her struggles.
“I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us,” Williams. “We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimization are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal.”
advertisement— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) March 8, 2021
Oprah’s show of Black sisterhood is precisely the reminder the world needs this International Women’s Day, as we amplify the voices of women everywhere.
Dear .@Oprah … two words for you tonight. THANK YOU! – on behalf of every person who has endured silent pain, Black women who are victim of microagressions & everyone told that their pain is not real. You gave voice to those women tonight. #OprahMeghanHarry #MeghanMarkle
— Jotaka Eaddy (@JotakaEaddy) March 8, 2021
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this #MeghanandHarryonOprah #MeghanMarkle pic.twitter.com/Mfi1sxhhZV
— Carlos Brandt (@CarlosBrandt) March 8, 2021
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Meghan Markle. That’s the tweet.#InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/4blD4LccFh
— Farrah Yvette (@farrah_yvette) March 8, 2021
advertisementThis is when a generation that didn’t grow up watching Oprah now realizes how she has a unique gift.
— deray (@deray) March 8, 2021
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Oprah with the interview. Tyler Perry offering up his residence AND security. Black power at its finest ✊
— Fumnanya Ekhator (@MahaMaven) March 8, 2021
Aht, aht there will be NO #MeghanMarkle slander ALLOWED on my timeline today. pic.twitter.com/l5PmZsGLGt
advertisement— Nekia Nichelle (@NekiaNichelle) March 8, 2021
Two things stood out to me from the #OprahMeghanHarry interview:
– Tyler Perry offered them security when the royal family wouldn’t.
– Oprah allowed them to tell their story when the royal family wouldn’t.A Black man gave them a home. A Black woman gave them a platform. pic.twitter.com/uIDDNAsSG7
— Saeed Ahmed (@saeed_ahmed) March 8, 2021
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What black parent doesn’t recognize the face #MeghanMarkle makes as she’s discussing not being able to protect her baby from racism? It’s so heartbreaking.
advertisement— LZ Granderson (@LZGranderson) March 8, 2021
I’m not surprised one bit by what #MeghanMarkle & #PrinceHarry are describing they experienced. Any institutions (Royals & Press) that was established when racism (slavery) and sexism were widely accepted – – what else would you expect? Racist Roots go deep! pic.twitter.com/ntswLFjzzX
— Karamo (@Karamo) March 8, 2021
Meghan Markle utilized one of the largest platforms ever to shine a light on misogynior, but don’t be surprised by how resistant white supremacy is to being exposed, much less challenged.
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) March 8, 2021
Every Black woman has felt that lonely or unsupported at some point in some workplace. If you were outraged about how Meghan Markle was treated and you’re white, treat the Black women you work with like you have some home training. #OprahMeghanHarry
— ⚓️ Imani Gandy ⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) March 8, 2021
Shout out to TYLER PERRY! That’s how you show up for people. #MeghanMarkle #OprahMeghanHarry
— Golding (@GoldingGirl617) March 8, 2021
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Tyler Perry is the unlikely hero of the evening.
Meghan is THE hero of the evening. Tyler is the one we didn’t see coming.
advertisement— Luvvie is the #ProfessionalTroublemaker (@Luvvie) March 8, 2021
When The Royals ousted #PrinceHarry & #MeghanMarkle because of her race:
advertisement1. @TylerPerry gave them shelter!
2. @Oprah gave an outlet to tell the truth!Black People to the Rescue Again!
After this interview, the Nation of Islam may need do their security! #HarryandMeghanonOprah
advertisement— Jawn Murray (@JawnMurray) March 8, 2021
Tyler Perry offered Harry and Meghan his home for months when they moved to the US. He gave them security when the royal family wouldn’t. Oprah allowed them share their story. Black people showing love & support ❤
advertisement#OprahMeghanHarry pic.twitter.com/ZpKI2YN5L8
— Alexander Umeakubuike ✊ (@AUmeakubuike) March 8, 2021
advertisement“At my old job there was a union and they would protect me.” – Meghan Markle
As it so happens, this week @HouseDemocrats will be passing The Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), because EVERYONE should have protection in their workplace.
advertisement— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) March 8, 2021
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We will always stand for Black women! Thank you Oprah, Tyler Perry, and Meghan!
Photo Credit: CBS