Prince Harry praised by first black female bishop for comments about unconscious racism

Rose Hudson-Wilkin is to become Church of England's first black female bishop in November

Bishop-designate Rose Hudson-Wilkin has commended the Duke of Sussex for his recent comments on unconscious racism, saying she is “very proud” that the royal “named it for what it is”.

On Tuesday, British Vogue released an interview conducted between Prince Harry and primatologist Dr Jane Goodall for its September issue on its website.

During their conversation, the duke spoke frankly about “unconscious bias”, and the importance of speaking up if you notice that someone is exhibiting racist behaviour.

Hudson-Wilkin, who is to become the Church of England’s first black female bishop later this year, said that she is “very proud” of Prince Harry for talking openly about the way in which stigma and prejudice is taught behaviour.

“I absolutely agree with him. We’re not born with the ability to be racist. We’re not born racist. We learn to be racist,” the priest told presenter Cathy Newman on Channel 4 News.

Hudson-Wilkin continued, explaining how “unconscious bias” can become racism when a person is told “time and time again” that their actions are wrong and fail to rectify their attitude.

“Why do we see black people not in positions of leadership in our country? Why do we see black people very high in the prison population? Why do we see them being excluded from schools etcetera? We have to ask questions why,” the bishop-to-be said.

“What is it in our minds that allows us to think that black people or people from a minority ethnic background should only be in this position and not in the other position? It’s deep in our psyche.”

Hudson-Wilkin expressed her pride in Prince Harry for discussing racism directly, as opposed to skirting around the issue.

“I think racism is there in our society. It is not just the church, it is not just in the police, it is not just in this particular organisation. It is there. And it is there because of our history,” the priest stated.

Newman also spoke to Hudson-Wilkin about the backlash the Duchess of Sussex received after it was announced the royal had guest edited the September issue of British Vogue.

When asked what she thinks regarding the notion that the duchess is “politicising the royal family”, Hudson-Wilkin concisely responded that it is “nonsense”.

The bishop-designate added that she perceives both Meghan and Prince Harry as “strong” individuals.

The September issue of British Vogue featured an interview conducted between the duchess and former first lady of the US Michelle Obama.

Obama opened up to Meghan about the advice she would give her daughters, revealing that she “spent too much time worrying” that she wasn’t achieving enough when she was younger.

“What I hope my daughters will realise a little earlier is that there is no prescribed path, that it’s OK to swerve, and that the confidence they need to recognise that will come with time,” Obama said.