In my case, the answer to the question “Where are you really from?” so complicated. I was not born in this country. If my father, a naval officer, had not made a special effort to register me as a Briton before his retirement, I might have been stateless. Some of my ancestors weren’t even born here. I’m somewhat wary of people on the subject, and I’m not about to give you all the details.
Nor would I deal with a complete stranger reaching out to move my hair or my clothes, especially to read my name badge. Why not simply ask for her name? Touching people without their permission is just plain rude. Anyway, I hate name badges and resist attempts to make me wear them. It’s a step along the way to a society where we all wear barcodes pinned to our ears, like cattle.
So I can see why Ngozi Fulani, chairwoman of the Systah Space charity, cringed when Susan Hase allegedly moved her hair and allegedly said the things that were reported. I say “alleged” because I have yet to hear of any stock-independent account. This does not matter if it is a private dispute and has no consequence. but it resulted in the public humiliation of a leading courtier, by the position of actual head of state, a veritable and devastating punishment.
So the good old presumption of innocence applies, doesn’t mean anyone would care. As far as I know, the exchange is not recorded. Any recollection of it will be affected by what has been posted online. And if Mrs. Susan Hussey has an iota of sense, she knows that there is not the slightest point in impugning the story.
I can see why Ngozi Fulani, chair of the Sistah Space charity, got a kick when Susan Hase allegedly moved her hair and allegedly said things that have been reported.
The country’s supreme court of opinion, Twitter, reached its verdict and issued its ruling of annulment. No defense is allowed. Bye Mrs. Susan, and thanks for all the excerpts.
However, I wish I could hear the defence, as the alleged conduct is so stupid and clumsy, that it is sad to think that such a person, generally praised and admired by those who dealt with it, was capable of it. Then there is this question. Why and for what purpose was this disastrous conversation published on the Web? In Ms. Fulani’s interview with Mishaal Hussain on BBC Radio 4, she described how she asked herself: “How do I handle this situation with kindness and caution?”
People who say age has nothing to do with it should also note that Ms. Fulani disagrees with them. “In my culture, we respect the elders,” she said. And I’m with her a lot there, especially now that I’m old. It’s amazing how many people in this country use “old” as a pejorative term. Very well then. Does Ngozi Fulani think publishing her account of the conversation was kind or careful? Did her behavior show respect for elders? Was it not possible to deal with it in private? I am quite sure the King would have taken an interest in any such complaint from someone he had known and encouraged for more than 20 years.
