BAFTAs 2020: Prince William to make speech about 'racism' but fans asks where he was when Meghan was bullied
The 73rd British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards is on and the president, Prince William, will be a part of it in central London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday. Along with the Duchess of Cambridge, he walked the red carpet in a tux along with Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.
Reports say that the Duke of Cambridge privately expressed his concerns to the chief executive of Bafta about the lack of diversity in this year’s awards shortlist and he will highlight the lack of black, Asian and minority ethnic artists in the leading acting categories.
Moreover, like the Academy Award snub, no women have been shortlisted for the best director award and Bafta’s chief executive, Amanda Berry, was “very disappointed” when the nominations were announced last month. Even before his speech, there is much chatter online about how it is all “fake concern".
“I remember after Diana died thinking #PrinceWilliam would become #PrinceHarry's protector. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am I was so wrong. He is using his #bafta speech to fake concern about racism when he stayed mute for 3 yrs while #meghanmarkle was targeted. For shame,” one viewer tweeted and another posted, "#PrinceWilliam the hypocrite racist #BAFTA is why he is president of the BAFTA a racist organization."
One Twitter user pointed out the reason why black people do well in sports, saying, "Why do black people do so well in sports? The rules are documented and carefully enforced and so #WhiteRacists cannot trip them up as they do in every other area of endeavor," and another said, "Well, maybe Prince William can also visit Bollywood and Nollywood and tell them they are too Asian or Black while he is at it. #BAFTASSoWhite #Bafta."
Most others spoke about how "all laughs and all eyes" will be on him. "Brad Pitt’s nuanced performance in Tarantino’s OUATIO wins the #BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor. Margot Robbie reads his speech saying he’s going to name it Harry because he’s looking forward to taking it back to the US. As well as laughs, all eyes on Prince William #EEBAFTAs," one tweet read.
"Charity begins at home Prince William. You were silent when your sister-in-law was vilified by racist headlines. Your nephew were compared to a chimpanzee two days after his birth, you remain silent. Keep the same energy. #BAFTAs #BAFTA2020 #BAFTA #BAFTASSoWhite," another tweet said. Only time will tell if Prince William actually makes a difference with his speech or only makes a mockery of the situation.