The Princess Diaries

Related Reading:
What is Family? 
Birthing Peace
"When Harry Met Sally"

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The truth is that I recently wrote about my thoughts about the wedding of Prince Harry, and Ms. Markle. Now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While I did share my good thoughts, I decided to leave politics aside to support this marriage. However, after the Santa Fe High School shooting my stance changed. I wondered how and why there was no reaction from the British, because after all Markle arrives in England as an American Citizen. Her presence there has been met with both positives and negatives. The negative does not necessarily mean that one is racist. We should be able to have a private opinion, that is separate from our public presence or domains. I think for me  more than anything, it was more of a feeling of betrayal. But also because of the harsh histories, that are tied with British Colonization and slavery. It was also the sense that this marriage, and Markle's presence was more about to build, and maintain relations through her ancestry. A type of usury. We can even question if this wedding was also another form of modern day British colonization?

     The real test to really prove that this marriage is not a political move, can only be revealed through the future actions, and endeavours of the Duchess' presence in the U.K., and with the Royal family. We can also see measures of control, where Markle's clothing is criticized. This made me think about the idea of conformity. Should a marriage make someone conform? Of course there are certain standards that one must adhere to, for the purposes of a public presence, but should one loose the sense of self? Or the individuality because of a marriage? I don't think that this should be the case. While there is criticism, I think that Harry and Meghan have an opportunity to be their unique selves, and think about what they will add to the Monarchy, rather than to be meshed in the family, comforming to become invisible. 

     This is what freedom encompasses - why should a woman in the 21st century be criticized for showing a bit of skin? Where are the feminists, or the women's rights groups, when there is a backlash for wearing a dress one chooses to? If you ask me, this is backward minded thinking, it is more about constraint, conformity, and control. I thought that we had progressed further than to be critical of a dress? 

     But there is something more to the criticism. Marriage is never really about a couple, although it does initially start with the couple and their ties to each other. Marriage needs the support of Royal Family, if there is no family support, then there are more likely to be tensions within the marriage. So whilst I have had my reserves, I also think that there are opportunities to reveal the genuine love, and embrace for Markle. 

    The genuine embrace is a real opportunity not only for the marriage, but as a beginning to heal from past hurts, that are derived from Markle's African/German/Irish ancestry. But this is also a test for the Duchess: will she conform to how she wants to be viewed, or will she use her title and public space to build, maintain, and create ties with America, American diversity as an mixed African - American, America's Socio / historical roots with Hispanic  / Latinos, and also as a British Royal?  

A Personal Note: 
I myself love fashion, all types, modern, vintage, eastern or western, and so on.  Human beings are like a canvas, awaiting the colours of life, like the fabrics that we choose to wear. Fashion is also linked to culture or religious belief. Anyone should be able to wear what they choose to wear, skin revealed or not, it is about what you yourself feel comfortable with. The fact that a bit of the shoulder was a cause for debate, made me think about what, are human beings resorting to? Why not think about what is on the inside, the heart, the soul. Why can't human's think about conversing with each other from this point of view, from an empathic standpoint, rather than about what one simply chooses to wear?

My thoughts to share with love & Kindness! :)
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Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on June 16th, 2018.
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