Meghan and the Machinery of Hate
Whether it's bloggers, YouTubers or TikTok creators, Meghan Duchess of Sussex isn't just a woman; she is the economy (mainly for those who depend to profit off her subjugation). With the return of With Love, Meghan, season two, the familiar noise reappeared. First, it was the whispered speculation that Netflix would drop her, though, only for her to make a come back of season 2 (Morin, 2025). The truth is, the world stops and rushes, under the guise of interest, only to dissect Meghan's every move. Whether it’s a piece of clothing that she is wearing, the way she frames her speech or even in the understated ritual through which she sips her tea, she remains a hot topic! This isn't a new phenomenon. We continue to witness the lives of Black female famous figures, held under a microscope by mainstream media outlets, eagerly awaiting a morsel of scandal to sink their teeth into. The Duchess ‘perceived’ ‘disruption’ to the British monarchy has been significant and has highlighted the racist double standard White and Black women are held to. Innocuous actions that have landed Meghan under fire in the media are not equally scrutinised in her White counterparts . This is evident when looking at the praise Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, receives for the very same actions; clearly displaying the media and societies’ thinly veiled contempt towards Black women for ‘daring’ to exist in the same manner and with similar status that a White woman would. For the Duchess of Sussex, who carries Black American DNA it becomes vain and arrogant (Latifa Yedroudj, 2019; Mail, 2019) and for Kate Middleton, it is immediately interpreted as elegant, feminine and certainly invites many pleasing undertones.Ultimately preserving her overall wellbeing whilst deliberately deteriorating the spirit of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
The Hate Economy
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Duchess of Sussex is the seed of the industry; the hate towards her is no longer ordinary or small; it is a sustained machine that feeds off her dehumanisation, but even with that, she continues to rise with her inherent dignity. No matter what she does, it continues to attract scrutiny and ‘opinions’ that are expressed and labelled in a way that lacks objectivity. This abuse has been ongoing from the very beginning (Greenfield, 2017) and to be quite frank, it’s been nearly a decade, every negative story regarding her is intentional, to perpetuate ongoing hate. Thus, those who rally to jump on the bandwagon continue to generate profit off her name whilst, keeping those who affirm such biases engaged. To put it simply, the crazier the headline sounds, the more clicks and revenue it generates.
The return of With Love, Meghan, season 2, demonstrated a perfect example of the abovementioned. The news that Netflix supposedly cancelled her show and ended their partnership generated an enormous amount of traffic, clearly indicating that there is an organised and strategic economy machine built on the Duchess of Sussex.
Double Consciousness
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story onli can make all the difference.
Meghan being biracial doesn't exempt her from the reality of double consciousness. Intellectual and thinker W.E.B. Du Bois defines it as "two warring ideals in one dark body". It is essentially living with an internal conflict. This is true; when you analyse Meghan through the lens of the media and public opinion, it's clear that her biology has resulted in constructing a limited portrayal of her.
Moreover, double consciousness expands beyond merely being posed questions directly, for instance, being seen as a ‘problem’. When we analyse further , we can see the connections in the case for the Duchess of Sussex; everything that is manifested regarding her, from the headlines to the public's obsession and uninvited criticism, all carries the unspoken question of being the problem(West, 2020). In addition, this is seen , particularly in the lens of white society, whilst she isn't directly confronted with '’how does it feel to be the problem?" The underlying tones of sentiments towards her suggest that it is unacceptable for a woman of her caliber to marry Harry, even her simply embracing her femininity through her show With Love, Meghan’ has stirred the pot.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is navigating life behind a veil, where Du Bois describes it as disregarding the humanity of an individual; tabloids and headlines obscure her true identity. Nevertheless, Meghan continues to embody what Du Bois referred to as "dogged strength’’, which is seen in Meghan's ability to remain resilient whilst flourishing and thriving, even when under constant scrutiny.
Legacy of violence
The hate towards the Duchess of Sussex is far from ordinary; especially when looking at her history in the industry, whether it was her close colleagues or friends, they have mainly expressed positive interactions, however, the machinery of hate continues to look the other way. Though, this issue is entrenched in centuries of violence towards Black people. Looking at Sarah Bartman, a South African woman, who was taken to Europe and displayed as the ‘‘Hottentot Venus’’. Her body was shown to White audiences for laughs and judgment, the audience saw her features as exotic and abnormal. This exploitation was also carried through the use of scientific racism, arguing that Black persons were inferior. In the end, she lost her life in the midst of poverty, and even after her death, her remains were displayed in museums until the late 20th century. Saraah Bartman reflects the realities of many Black women in contemporary society, being reduced to their bodies, physical appearance, and subjected to constant scrutiny in every area of their lives (Parkinson, 2016).
In the case of the Duchess, the media's obsession with her physical appearance, especially after her relationship with Prince Harry, can be seen as a form of modern day objectification. Meghan has been depicted as both an "exotic" outsider (due to her mixed race) and as a target, regarding racialised and gender critique. The media's vilification of Meghan is part of a broader pattern of exploitation and fetishisation that stretches back centuries and intersects with history.
Visibility and why it matters
From Sarah Baartman's displays in Europe to Meghan's constant media backlash, the exploitation of Black women's visibility has always been used to maintain hierarchies. To deny such a pattern is to attest yourself as a dissembler. How dare she be loved by Harry? How dare she refuse to shrink? And who does she think she is to leave?. Pathollogising Black persons who are something the world Something the world is struggling to fathom, exposing the discomfort of Black excellence that is still operating within society.
Despite it all, Meghan continues to embody resilience. She is looking better than ever, her skin is malnourished , and you can truly see that she is in a peaceful state. They may continue to bully her, but her true essence continues to thrive and tell a story for itself. They may continue to bully her, but it only reveals more about society. She is not only a brilliant female figure, she is also a reminder to all, that no one can strip you of your dignity, even in a world with allies of hate.
This is the alchemy we inherit - turning fire into resilience and beyond, contempt into glow, and reviving the weight of history into a future where our womanhood and femininity will be revered.
Cost of visibility and why it matters
From Sarah Baartman's displays in Europe to Meghan's constant media backlash, the exploitation of Black women's visibility has always been used to maintain hierarchies. To deny such a pattern is to attest yourself as a dissembler. How dare she be loved by Harry? How dare she refuse to shrink? and who does she think she is to leave?. Pathollogising Black persons who are something the world Something the world is struggling to fathom, exposing the discomfort of Black excellence that is still operating within society.
Despite it all, Meghan continues to embody resilience. She is looking better than ever, her skin is malnourished , and you can truly see that she is in a peaceful state. They may continue to bully her, but her true essence continues to thrive and tell a story for itself. They may continue to bully her, but it only reveals more about society. She is not only a brilliant female figure, she is also a reminder to all, that no one can strip you of your dignity, even in a world with allies of hate.
This is the alchemy we inherit - turning fire into resilience and beyond, contempt into glow, and reviving the weight of history into a future where our womanhood and femininity will be revered.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.