Royal Racism

I think the thing that bums me out the most about the wedding between Prince Harry and American Meghan Markle is that I remember the wedding between Prince Charles and Diana. God, I’m getting old.

A lot of people seem to be making a stink about Meghan being of mixed race. I thought maybe it was being overblown until I saw a headline in a British publication saying something about Markle, who was born in Los Angeles, being “straight outta Compton.”

So, it’s not just white Americans freaking out when they see a black person in a situation they deem unusual, like sitting in a coffee shop, or a library, or selling a house, walking in a white neighborhood, breathing air, etc. The Brits can do it too.

Markle is half black and half white. I wouldn’t have known this if it wasn’t pointed out. It’s not that I’m so open-minded as much as I can be oblivious at times. I can be really oblivious. Once in my early 20s, I didn’t realize a friend of mine was Latino until I read an article about him, and his last name is Ramirez. See? It’s especially weird because I cover and talk about race so much.

It’s a good thing that society isn’t just becoming tolerant, but accepting reality. From a mixed couple in a Cheerios commercial to the royal family, we’ve come a long way. But then again, we have people freaking out because they see two black guys at Starbucks and people are voting for Donald Trump. You may not be racist if you voted for Donald Trump, but racism is not a deal breaker for you.

We still have a long way to go.

I did watch the royal wedding this morning. But I didn’t wake up at 4:00 AM to watch the coverage. I’m usually up at that time drawing. I was watching it on MSNBC and saw anchors I respect totally geek out and become starstruck when the newly married couple passed them in their carriage. But, I’m a guy. I didn’t really enjoy going to my own wedding.

This is another bonus cartoon. I wanted to do the race subject and I had another idea on the subject that made a stronger point, but I knew adding the wedding would probably get it more attention and make more publications. One aspect I struggled with in my decision was Markle’s skin tone. She’s half black, yes. But, technically, she’s not a dark-skinned person. I imagine you would have to be a fiercely dedicated racist to get upset if you saw her at Starbucks.

Now, I’m taking the rest of the night off. I’m going to eat a club sandwich, eat some ice cream later, and appropriately, I plan to watch Black Panther.

Watch Me Draw.

https://youtu.be/sxEmtVcI-sU

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