Meghan Markle, colorism and the archetype of the ‘tragic mulatto’

It’s probably not a coincidence, then, that Meghan Markle chose last month to launch “Archetypes,” a podcast that aims to explore the stereotypes and boxes that societies put women in.

Which led me to think about the meaning of Markle’s saga with the royal family.

In a conversation on “Archetypes” with biracial singer Mariah Carey, Markle discussed how she was made more aware of the shifting goal posts of race. “I think for us, it’s so different because we’re light-skinned,” she said. “You’re not treated as a Black woman. You’re not treated as a White woman. You sort of fit in between.”

“I mean, if there’s any time in my life that it’s been more focused on my race, it’s only once I started dating my husband,” Markle said about dating Prince Harry. “Then I started to understand what it was like to be treated like a Black woman. Because up until then, I had been treated like a mixed woman. And things really shifted.”

When it comes to privilege in the Black community, colorism — and America’s “one-drop” rule — is one of the most difficult topics to discuss openly. Still, I can’t help but ask the question unspoken here: What did Markle mean when she said she was “treated like a Black woman”?

I suppose it’s easy to guess. Black women, especially in America, claimed her, hard. We loved how her mother, Doria Ragland, rocked dreadlocked hair. We noted the touches of Blackness at her wedding to Harry — the gospel choir, the rousing sermon of Bishop Michael Curry in the Black Church tradition. These were no doubt all deliberate choices — a message that “Blackness” could mean “modernizing” the British monarchy.

So why is Markle, who grew up with a Black mother, in California, and attended Northwestern University (my alma mater, too), saying she didn’t understand what it meant to be a Black woman before? Was Don Lemon right when he criticized Markle’s newfound education on Blackness? That it took her marrying a White man from literally the most powerful White family in the world to understand what it was like to be Black? Are we supposed to feel sorry for Markle’s racial naivete?

As a dark-skinned woman, I have never and will never experience the privileges or the pain of being in the limbo space between Whiteness and Blackness.

But from the outside looking in, here’s what I see: Markle went from a royal bride destined to “modernize” the Whitest of institutions to having to escape to (a very privileged) self-exile in the United States. She had to endure racist questions about the appearance of her baby from within the royal family. The British media was relentless in criticizing her, and outside of her husband, the royal family did little to stand up for her. Markle spoke openly about how it all led to suicidal thoughts.

The whole thing conjures up the sad and very specific archetype of the “tragic mulatto” — the slavery-era trope of a light-skinned mixed-race woman who passes for White but is destined for unhappiness because of the way her “one drop” of Black blood is used against her by White power structures. The couple literally had to leave Harry’s country for their family to be safe mentally and emotionally.

One part of the myth of the “tragic mulatto” woman is that she is an ambitious seductresses of White men, who are powerless before her womanly schemes.

And — surprise! — this is exactly how Markle has been treated. Just read all the British media squawking about the opportunistic older divorcee and her supposed long-standing plot to steal poor Harry away from his family.

Colorism and privilege are thorny issues — but let’s not forget that white supremacy, which the British did so much to create, is ultimately to blame.

But more and more prominent light-skinned mixed-race women, including actresses Zendaya and Thandiwe Newton, have opened up about colorism and privilege in Hollywood. At least Markle was honest about talking about her light-skinned privilege. Maybe one day the Duchess will be brave enough to take the enduring myth of the “tragic mulatto” full on.

Home Front: Texas’s latest anti-democratic backslide

So, my home state of Texas has a new law saying that public schools can display “In God We Trust” signs in public schools, so long as the signs are donated to a district. This has set off alarms about the increasing influence of White conservative Christianity in all aspects of life down here. This week I watched as local activists and parents put the rules to the test at a school board meeting in Southlake, a town already infamous for attacking critical race theory. The results were, well, you can read my column for yourself.

Global Radar: Nigeria bans foreign models and voice-over artists

Speaking of Blackness and representation, Nigeria has announced that beginning Oct. 1, it will outlaw the use of foreign models and voice actors in the advertising industry. The hope, according to reports, is that it will boost local industry. Nigeria’s music, and culture have been taking the world by storm. Nigerian pride is at an all-time high. There’s no question a country of 200 million people has plenty of talent. The big question is: Will other nations follow suit?

Cat Corner: Artemis is ready for launch!

Here’s Artemis in his spacesuit. NASA’s Artemis will attempt to go to the moon this weekend. How long till there are cats on Mars?

Enjoy your Labor Day!

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