CNN’s Don Lemon commented on Monday on Oprah Winfrey’s explosive interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, commenting that he was not at all surprised by the racism the couple encountered from members of the royal family and the UK media. United.
“I don’t think, Oprah, I don’t think anyone who watched – especially anyone of color – is surprised that there is racism” in the British royal family, said Lemon. “This is what the monarchy is based on – heredity, hierarchy, a caste system, lineages.”
Lemon argued that “the whole institution is built on a racist structure” and, considering such a prejudiced system, it was no wonder that the royal family was concerned about the potentially dark skin of Archie, son of Meghan and Harry.
The couple told Winfrey that this, along with the UK’s “prejudiced” press, contributed to their decision to move to America, adding that Harry’s family was so far unwilling to apologize for any role they played in take them abroad.
Harpo Productions / Joe Pugliese via Getty Images Oprah Winfrey interviews Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a CBS special that aired on Sunday night.
“There shouldn’t be an ‘Oh my God, the British family is racist’ – of course they are racist,” said Lemon. “This is what the whole monarchy is built on – racism, the family that should be in it only by birth. And until now, by birth, there were only members of the white royalty on the British throne. “
The CNN presenter added that he was also not surprised by Harry’s statement that he was unaware of his family’s prejudices until he was forced to confront them with his mixed-race wife.
“That part was not surprising, because, as we always say, privilege is always that,” said Lemon, adding, “If you don’t have to deal with it, then it doesn’t exist for you.”
Lemon mentioned his own marriage to Tim Malone, a “white man from the far east of Long Island”, pointing out that only by marrying a “black man from the South” did he really come to terms with racism.
“Of course, I’m not surprised that Harry was introduced to racism through his wife and he felt it in a personal way,” said Lemon. “This is how it happens … Harry has a black son and a black wife now, so it’s personal.”
See Lemon’s comments below.
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