MULTIEVEE

warning for racism, ableism, misogyny and general shittiness

Prince Philip is a museum piece – a living, breathing, mobile, jolly good fellow, smiling, handsome, charming great-grandpa who happily walks about, uttering obscenities while his entourage try to cover up for his “indiscretions.” But these are not “indiscretions” or “gaffes.” He means what he says and he says what he means. He is the living memory of an entire history of imperial hubris now being actively repressed to offer a more liberal, tolerant, cosmopolitan character for the British and, by extension, “the European.”

it's not just that he's wildly, flagrantly bigoted and utterly unapologetic. It's not even just that he's one of the most famous people in the world, continuing to platform these kinds of egregiously damaging, even dangerous, sentiments. It's everything he stands for. It's what he represents.

He says it out loud, and in doing so, makes it that much easier for the more cunning kinds of killers to fly under the radar and get away with acts of aggression that might otherwise be recognized as such. He says it out loud, and in some ways, that's a blessing.

but no amount of "barbarous truth" can negate the fact that the bigots who push the boundaries do so on purpose, to make it easier for the subtler racists and more patient oppressors that come after them. If we're used to hearing world leaders say things like "Oh yes, there's a lot of orphanges in Romania - they must breed them," how much harder will it be to name and recognize the racism of your employer when they say they just don't think you're ready for that promotion, but be sure to ask again next year?

If a prince can say it out loud, a teacher will mutter it to the students in the classroom. One more famous director will incorporate it into one more award-winning film. A politician will think it, and sign off on another pointless war.

RIP

Cicely Tyson

1924-2021

Harlem Native