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What's it like to be repeatedly asked 'Where are you really from?'

Four women talk about their experiences of being asked the "loaded question" about their family's heritage.

Ngozi Fulani, a black British charity boss and prominent advocate for survivors of domestic abuse, was invited to Buckingham Palace as part of Queen Consort Camilla's campaign against domestic violence.

Whilst at the reception Fulani was repeatedly asked where she was "really" from by Lady Susan Hussey, a close aide to the British royal family. Lady Hussey has since resigned.

Being intrusively probed about your cultural and ethnic heritage is an unwelcome but frequent occurrence for many people. So what makes the question "where do you really come from" so loaded?

Outside Source spoke to Chantelle and Marianne about their experiences of being asked the question. Outside Source listeners Clara and Simmi also spoke to the programme about their own perspectives.

You will hear first from Chantelle:

"I can't remember a time when I've not been asked that question... They may as well ask why are you black, why is your skin that colour. It's so closely linked with racist tropes of 'you're not really from here, you don't belong here'."

(Photo: Ngozi Fulani (centre) at a reception at Buckingham Palace, London. 29/11/2022. Credit: Kin Cheung via PA Wire)

Release date:

Duration:

12 minutes