Hands off Ngozi: Community leaders support charity boss facing racist onslaught

Black charity boss subjected to a "rightwing campaign to discredit her"

CLEARED: The Charity Commission has found no evidence against Sistah Space

SEVERAL COMMUNITY leaders have spoken out against the social media hate campaign against a black charity leader.

Ngozi Fulani chief executive of award-winning domestic and sexual violence charity Sistah Space, revealed she was interrogated about her heritage by a former member of the Royal Household.

The aide in question, Lady Susan Hussey, 83, has now resigned from her role.

However since speaking out, Ms Fulani has been subjected to a vile social media hate campaign, which includes the posting of her birth name online and calls for her charity to be closed down – as it only caters to African and Caribbean women.

Activist Chantelle Lunt, who is the founder of Merseyside Black Lives Matter Alliance, took to Twitter to express her gratitude to Ms Fulani and her work with black domestic violence victims.

Ms Lunt said: “Solidarity to Ngozi Fulani, chair of @Sistah-Space (a DV charity for Black women) who is being subjected to relentless right wing campaign to discredit her, after going public about her experiences of racism at Buckingham Palace.

“This year, I met Ngozi, marched with her & heard her inspirational speeches.

“Not only that, I heard people in Hackney speak about her. She is a credit to her community and provides vital service for black women, who are often side-lined and forgotten about as victims of dv.”

SOLIDARITY: Activist Chantelle Lunt shared her admiration of the charity boss after meeting her.

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Ms Lunt added: “Ngozi has spoken to a racial trauma that many black people have experienced. She took a stand and we must stand with her. Solidarity.”

Over the weekend, Independent Educational and Cultural Consultant Andrew Muhammad, posted a picture of the charity leader on Twitter, which was headlined ‘We want every one to understand how loved this Queen is!

Mr Muhammad’s post continued: “Let’s not get it twisted!

“The Classical tale of victim becoming the abuser! Ngozi Headley Fulani has a proven track record of unbelievable great works for the oppressed within our community… watch your words!”

SUPPORT: Andrew Muhammad’s Twitter post

Last week, MPs condemned the treatment Ms Fulani received at Buckingham Palace.

MP Diane Abbott said: “Ridiculous for Buckingham Palace aide to be so rude to my friend & constituent Ngozi Fulani. Next thing they will be asking me ‘Where do you REALLY come from? @Sistah_Space .”

Responding to Ms Fulani’s revelations online, MP Dawn Butler wrote: “Stunned I’m stunned…not shocked just stunned.

“What is said in the dark will one day see the light.”

Ms Fulani’s charity has been tirelessly advocating for Valerie’s Law – which will allow cultural training for police and other government agencies to better support Black women affected by domestic violence.

The initiative is named after Valerie Forde, 45, who along with her 22-month-old baby girl, was murdered by her ex-partner, in 2014.

The campaign has gathered over 100,000 signatures and the backing from celebrities like Sir Lewis Hamilton and FKA Twigs.

MPs Dawn Butler, Diane Abbott and David Lammy have also backed the charity.

Supporters have also sent messages of support to the charity boss following the incident.

Responding to a Twitter user who suggested Ms Fulani had changed her name, @PaperWhispers wrote: “This is deliberate ignorance. I carry an English name because colonisers demanded it, I continue to ponder eliminating this name. Colonisation and enslavement changed our names by force, we can choose to rename ourselves.”  

VICTIMS: The violent murder of Valerie Forde and her daughter led to calls for ‘Valerie’s Law’

Another Twitter user @OTOCoker said: “The smearing campaign against ‘Ngozi Fulani’ should tell you about the British media and everything in this country. And this is why nobody stands up for anything because they will ruin you!”

Last year, Ms Fulani told The Voice: “We need laws that protect Black women. Unfortunately, the media doesn’t seem to care about the safety of Black women and girls”

She added that current domestic abuse services do not understand Black culture, which is putting Black women and girls at risk and insists Valarie’s Law will help them become more “culturally competent.”

She continued: “Bruises and scars might be difficult to see on some Black skin, but it doesn’t mean they are not there.

CLAPBACK: @Paperwhispers reminds one Twitter user about the link between colonisation and black people having English names

“Black women who have been abused, are being told their scars are invisible and that is not good enough.

“Understanding that bruises may appear different on black skin can make a real difference and can be the difference between life or death.”

Essential research by Sistah Space, revealed that in the UK 86% of women of African and Caribbean heritage have either been a victim of domestic abuse or know a family member who has been assaulted.

Only 57% of victims said they would tell the police about abuse.

Last week, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.

“In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made.

“We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.

“In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.

“All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”

Prince William also said “racism has no place in our society”.

Comments Form

10 Comments

  1. | Chaka Artwell

    One of the principle reasons why African-heritage people are so poorly led in England: The United States, the Caribbean and on the African continent, is our failure to publicly criticise; reject and expose poor political; economic and theological leadership.

    Ms Nzogi Fulani has exploited her fifteen minutes of fame, by appearing on the BBC’s Women Hour, and the Breakfast programmes to attack and accuse Lady Susan Hussey of being a racist for merely asking Ms Fulani to reveal her African heritage.

    It is clear to me that Ms Fulani, in tandem with many African-heritage Labour and Marxist inspired men and women, have an enmity against the Monarch, and the Aristocracy; and they use every opportunity to unjustly debase His Majesty and England’s Aristocracy traditions and Empire Heritage.

    If African-heritage men and women and youth are to make real social; economic and political progress, we must not remain silent when African-heritage men and women in leadership positions behave unjustly.

    African-heritage people failed to criticise President Nelson Mandela when he abandoned the 1956 Freedom Charter’s promise that the mineral wealth of South Africa, would be used for the benefit of all the people of South Africa: rather than the elite De Beers owners and shareholders.

    Mandela’s agreed to allow the De Beer family to maintain their lion shire of the mineral wealth of South Africa, and this is the principal reason why the residents of Soweto live in unhygienic conditions, with horrific levels of violence from the unemployed and alcohol dependant and listless African men and youth.

    The failure of African American men and women to criticise and expose the true intent of the Marxist inspired Black Lives Matters collective is the reason why Ms Patrisse Marie Khan-Cullors has been able to use the $91m collected from the public, following the awful death of Mr George Floyd, to purchase fine mansion for the BLM leadership; whilst little of the $91m has been used to address the violently murderous African-American dominated cites of Baltimore; Chicago, Detroit or Philadelphia.

    Unethical and self-serving political or theological leadership ought not to be endured by the African-heritage people in England; the United States or Africa, simply because the abusers are of African-heritage.

    For this reason, I believe the current criticism against Sistah Space founder, Ms Fulani is entirely correct; proportionate and honourable.

    Reply

    • | Kim Beam

      Dear Chaka Artwell, I find your comments about Ngizui Fulan’s tweet about being asked aboout ger African heritage are measured and reasonable. What a welcome change from the partisan hubub which has surrounded these events.

      Reply

    • | Michael Rowe

      Black Lies DO Matter !!

      Reply

  2. | Kagwi

    Because of this incident, I have learnt about what a wonderful leader she is to the community. Hence making a donation.
    Her work is being acknowledged. Just wanted to say a word of encouragement.

    Reply

  3. | DAZZA

    When will people learn not to mix with them. Children need to be taught to be wary of them. Live among your own like the people of Indian descent do.

    Can’t we learn from them

    Reply

  4. | Kathleen Wilson

    No one should discredit anyone, this should have been addressed by Ngozi properly not on twitter and she should not have named her so called abuser, she put lady SH so that is identification. she clearly has a history of accusations of racism, on her website, but it is the palace that has sparked the fury by the cruel treatment of Lady Susan.
    it was a disgrace to publish this one-sided account and silly to expect there to be no backlash.
    time for the palace to arrange a meeting with both the people involved and soon!

    Reply

  5. | Tracey

    My head is spinning from the comments I’m reading about this article.
    People are happy to read one-sided accounts about the Duchess of Sussex, but when the White members of the British Royal Family are criticised then people start wanting to hear both sides of the story.
    Had Ngozi not taken to Twitter with her account we would probably never had heard about it and the incident could have been brushed under the carpet.
    I guess the timing of Ngozi’s experience was inconvenient for those who don’t want to accept that there could be a problem of racism within the British Royal Family and their staff. However, it is unrealistic to know that racism is a problem in all levels of British society but somehow non-existent within the British Royal Family, their staff and their friends. Through my social life, studies and professional life I have encountered people from all levels of British society and can therefore confirm that racism is a problem in all levels of British society (from working class through to aristocracy).
    I find it irresponsible (but not surprising) for Nigel Farage to suggests that it was a set-up.
    Some of us don’t see ourselves as guests in this country. I pay my taxes and don’t receive a racial discount. So I have the right to expect respect and equal treatment.

    Reply

  6. | Nickolas Angunoby

    What this woman has done has set us back 20 years, i am a proud black man of Nigerian heritage serving in His Majesties forces, even with my obviously Nigerian name my fellow soldiers have never treated me any different or poked fun at my second name… UNTIL NOW, now i get “we had better not touch your hair or we might be sacked” and “god , better not ask were you are from”.
    Let me get this right, a lady who had devoted all her life to the service of the crown asks a woman colour who is dressed in African type clothing, had her hair done in African style and has an African name “where are you from” and because of some sense of entitlement this woman of colour takes offence then goes on through the press to destroy the life of an old lady, shame on her and shame on us for letting it happen

    Reply

    • | Helen

      Nickolas Angunoby
      Thank you for your common sense, honest answer.
      I’m white, British and 70 and have had wonderful conversations with people of all colours – theirs and mine – by asking questions rather than sitting in curious silence.
      In my youth, I tanned easily , was dark Eyed and dark haired and was often asked if I was Jewish or Italian
      Infact my background is Welsh/Irish with a touch of English, so good conversations ensued.
      Was I offended? God, no!
      The conversation was two way as it should have been in the Palace, but Ms Fulani wouldn’t allow that.
      She has since realised and agreed that there was NO malice in Lady Susan’s questions, but after 62 years’ service, that lady has had to resign her post with regret, feeling she has let down her King and her Prince.

      Reply

  7. | lilk

    @Chaka Artwell : Your post is rubbish.
    The monarchy, the US, Spain, Portugal and so many nations are advanced and rich of the exploitation of others: the Indigenous and Africans who were enslaved.

    If there are to be advancements first the UK needs to recognise, and apologise. Look at the Winrush Debacle! Next there needs to be actual and specific movements made: investment in Afro/Carrib health and education from a young age so they will stay in school and do well. College/Uni is not for everyone so offer technical training to be a plumber, welder, lorry, baker, barber, electrician etc.

    Cultural bias and sensitivity training needs to be mandatory!

    Reply

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