Not the best way to win friends.
It's actually these -ist words that are so often used to prevent criticism and which cause problems of communication. Mrs Obama gave the better advice. Learn the role first. Meghan has ignored the advice and reaped the consequences.
The British people really welcomed her. They wanted so much of what she brought. Her mixed race background was a plus, not a minus. But at the same time, we don't want to be saved by Meghan. We don't want to be told we must adopt a Californian perspective of our own society. We don't want to hear that this person with such a position of privilege is a victim. The royal family stands for trustworthiness, strength and duty, not whining and weakness.
If she wants to be treated with great respect, learn the role the royal family plays by which they achieve it. Then work within the parameters.
She seems like a nice enough person. But she isn't a Disney princess, with a shiny pink platform from which to promote her own world views. That's the role elected politicians play. And it isn't shiny pink. It's a bear pit.
She does have a position from which she can quietly do some good in the world. Once she realises that the key is to get on with performing benevolent acts with patience and decency, the more folks will fall for her. I hope she figures it out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07tnth9
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