The points about race from Robert Bucknor from Tunbridge Wells(MetroTalk, Fri) could not be more wrong. They serve only to reinforce the original point made by P from London, who said they are a ‘white foreigner’ who has ‘experienced institutional racism on multiple occasions’.

Mr Bucknor stating that ‘by definition’ white people cannot be racist towards other whites only reinforces a skewed perspective that racism is purely based on skin colour.

As a person of Irish descent, I have had eastern Europeans wholesale telling me they hate the Irish, proceeding to equate the whole Irish nation with misguided Irish Traveller tropes (the Traveller angle itself being further racism).

I assure you that I did feel very offended and subject to prejudice (racism) and let those individuals know.

Given the current escalation in the Middle East, including discussions on increased anti-Semitism attacks, it takes incredible short-sightedness on Mr Bucknor’s part to decry white-on-white prejudice as ‘by definition’ not racist.

Yet we live in a world where this is trumped by casual commentary on the skin colour of a mixed-race royal child that serves no purpose other than to use the charge of racism to get individuals rich through selling books, network deals and monetising media networks. Nick, London

Andrew Edwards from Islington (MetroTalk, Thu) says asking about an unborn baby’s skin colour might not be racist – but it also might be. It depends on the tone and context of the conversation.

I notice he has done what many do in trying to dismiss the chances it was due to racism by changing the context.

In a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey last year, Meghan didn’t say she was asked what the colour of her son Archie would be. She said that ‘concerns’ had been expressed by a Royal Family member about how dark the skin tone would be and what that would mean for the monarchy. This doesn’t sound like excitement or curiosity. Brenda, Norfolk

I am sick and tired of people dismissing the comment said to have been made about Archie’s skin colour.

I have a mixed-heritage child. I too discussed and wondered what colour their skin complexion might be.

However, it was never a concern. That’s the context in which it was said. Grace, Nottingham

‘Racism only occurs if it’s deliberate on racial grounds’

The main point in all the letters countering the allegations of racism is not whether you should nitpick by insisting that you have to call racism against other white groups simply ‘discrimination’ (though how do you know they’re not from a distinct white ethnic group in the first place, because race is not unique to colour?).

It’s whether or not what some instantly jump on as racism against any person or group is simply general dislike or discrimination in the first place.

Racism occurs only if it’s deliberate on racial grounds. Paul, London

They’re just a cash machine for the writers and publishers, yet we seem to lap them up. Joe, Acton

Congrats to the Metro staff member who came up with the subheading on page three of Wednesday’s edition ‘Copies pulled in name mystery… so what will Scobie do now?’ Got it in one and it made me chuckle! Jaap, by email

With regards to Paddy in West Sussex’s letter (MetroTalk, Thu) about King Charles having ‘temper tantrums’ and throwing ‘a strop’ after a fountain pen leaked while he signed a visitor’s book at Hillsborough Castle in September last year.

You do realise that Charles had lost his mother just days before his visit to the castle? It’s understandable that his temper would be fragile at such a delicate time for him. Amy, Birmingham

Copies of the Omid Scobie’s book Endgame published in Holland revealed the names of the two royals who are said to have wondered about the skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan’s son.

The book’s publisher has blamed the names-leaking on a ‘translation error’, and those copies had to be pulled from the shelves in Holland. How could a translation error reveal the names? Gobby, Brum

I hope bookshops will display Omid Scobie’s Endgame book in the correct section – ie fiction, on same shelf as the national railway timetables. Linda Bliss, by email

‘We can’t undo the wrongs of the past’

 

Regarding the Elgin Marbles, I think we need to accept what happened in the past and stop trying to simplistically right wrongs that can’t be righted.

We can’t undo the wrongs of the past. We can’t undo slavery and colonialism. However, we can try to learn from the past and not repeat mistakes or wrongs.

We need to acknowledge facts but leave what has been done, such as statues. Put up plaques explaining the full information about the person. Put up new statues of newly recognised heroes.

Put on a plaque at the Elgin Marbles stating where they came from and how they got to where they are. Lynn Barratt, Australia

Reference:  Story by Letters Editor ; Metro: