Meghan Markle’s biographer Omid Scobie reveals his own experience with racism

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal biographer Omid Scobie has revealed his experience with racism in a candid post. 

The British writer, who has co-written the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family, took to Twitter amid the Black Lives Matter movement, to speak out against injustice. 

Revealing that ‘fear’ has previously stopped him from speaking about his experiences relating to his mixed race heritage, Omid said recalled how he lost his first job in journalism after fighting back against a workplace incident. 

Taking to Twitter, Omid wrote: ‘I see some asking why, in the past, I didn’t always publicly speak up about racism or racial bias and the answer, quite honestly, is fear.

‘My first job in journalism was also my first experience of racism in the workplace. 

‘Worried that, as a 20-year-old mixed race guy, taking on an older white person of power would probably mean the end of my job, I sat on the incident for a few months before mustering up the courage to present the issue to HR.’

He continued: ‘Unfortunately my complaint was met with poor excuses, a lack of empathy and me having to leave. I felt small, ashamed and convinced my journalism career was over before I’d even attended my university graduation ceremony.

‘Of course, the racist in question had no such worries. They got a pay rise and continue to work in a prominent media role.’

Omid admitted: ‘That incident knocked my confidence for some time (not just regarding my place in the industry but also about my own mixed race identity) and I did my best to work and stay below the radar to protect myself.’

The writer finished his brave revelation by saying that he ‘realised the incident is small compared to the racist horrors many face’, and added that he had shared it as an example of why the ‘fight against racism needs to be led by the truly privileged. 

He concluded by asking others with a platform to speak up, adding: ‘There are far less risks for you when you do it. You are lucky enough to condemn racism with virtually no fear’.

His statement comes after Meghan Markle spoke out against racism in a heartfelt video last night.

The mother-of-one, 38, who is residing in LA – where many of the demonstrations are taking place – with Prince Harry, 35, and 1-year-old Archie, shared an impassioned message of support. 

Protests have taken place across America and beyond after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on unarmed George Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds last week, despite Floyd’s desperate repeated pleas for help crying, ‘I can’t breathe’. Floyd passed out and later died.

His death is seen as a symbol of systemic police brutality against African-Americans sparking outrage country-wide. 

Tens of thousands of people gathered as the National Guard was deployed to over half the states in the country on Sunday for further demonstrations against police brutality.