Meghan Markle Opens Up About Her Experience with Racism
Necessary reading.

It's impossible to deny that racism that still exists in America, and the only way to deal with the problem is head on. By talking about it, recognizing it, and never staying silent—especially when you have a platform. Suits actress (and girlfriend to Prince Harry) Meghan Markle used hers to pen a moving essay about the racism her grandparents endured—recalling a story her grandfather told her about being forced to eat in the parking lot at Kentucky Fried Chicken.
"That story still haunts me," she writes. "It reminds me of how young our country is. How far we've come and how far we still have to come. It makes me think of the countless black jokes people have shared in front of me, not realizing I am mixed, unaware that I am the ethnically ambiguous fly on the wall. It makes me wonder what my parents experienced as a mixed race couple. It echoes the time my mom and I were leaving a concert at The Hollywood Bowl, and a woman called her the 'N' word because she was taking too long to pull out of the parking spot. I remember how hot my skin felt. How it scorched the air around me."
Markle ends her essay thanking Martin Luther King Jr. and other notable leaders/thinkers, as well as her parents for "choosing each other not for the 'color of their skin but the content of their character.'"
❤️️
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
-
Beyoncé Battles Her Gatekeepers on the 'Cowboy Carter' Tour
And proves the best use of her power is looking beyond them.
-
'Tastefully Yours' Is a Foodie Rom-Com and Its Main Ingredient Is an A-List Cast of K-Drama Stars
Here's what to know about actors from 'Squid Game,' 'Sweet Home,' and 'Weak Hero Class 2' who lead the ensemble.
-
My New Favorite Sunscreen Oil Is 20 Percent Off—And Limited-Edition
Grab this Supergoop! steal while you can.
-
Royal Expert Says Princess Diana Would Be "Proud" of Prince Harry's Candid BBC Interview
"She liked to say exactly what she thought and then deal with the consequences afterwards."
-
Meghan Markle Does Date Night in a Denim Carolina Herrera Dress at Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Tour
The Sussexes were photographed enjoying Beyoncé's performance while dancing in the VIP box.
-
Meghan Markle Used Her Outfits to Send Messages When She Couldn’t, She Says
The Duchess of Sussex reflected on the impact of her clothing at a time when she "wasn't out talking."
-
Meghan Markle Says This Feature Prevented Her From Modeling as It Wasn't "A Sign of Beauty"
The Duchess of Sussex opened up about the early days of her career in her new podcast.
-
Meghan Markle Shares Oprah's Advice About Starting a Business
The iconic talk show host helped the duchess find herself in jam.
-
Why Meghan Markle Sends "Secret Emails" to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet "Every Night"
Meghan and Harry's kids will be able to access the emails "maybe when they're 16 or...18."
-
Meghan Markle Responds to Rumors She Might Run for President in the Future During Podcast Appearance
"I mean, you could say, 'Never say never.'"
-
The Kardashian Sister Prince Harry Was Almost Set Up With by a Mutual Friend Before He Met Meghan Markle
"I walked in and saw her with Princess Beatrice."