Given the monarchy's history, Meghan's allegations shouldn't be surprising | Schuyler Esprit

Viewers like me are quite familiar with the royals' passive-aggression. As former subjects', we know all too well the damage they've done

In Oprah Winfrey's much-awaited interview with Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the couple detailed their unfavorable treatment by the British monarchy and tabloid press. That experience ultimately influenced their decision to relinquish official duties from the British royal family. Responses via live tweeting from people of color around the world were of course funny and meme-worthy, but also intense and nuanced. They revealed layered reflections on race, power and the enduring legacy of colonialism.

Many dismissed the entire interview as rich people's business" and claimed not to be invested. To them, Meghan and Harry's plight seemed a luxury. Others hailed Meghan's royal marriage as an American celebrity fairytale - one certainly enhanced by her biracial identity and simultaneous proximity to whiteness - while recognizing that fairytale as crown sympathizers' source of disdain for her. Meanwhile, viewers like me from former British colonies were quite familiar with the British monarchy's systemic passive-aggression. As former subjects of the crown, we know all too well the damage they've done.