Who is Mariama White-Hammond? Reverend decries ‘racism and colonialism’ at event for Prince William and Kate
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Just hours after Buckingham palace became entangled in a seething race row when William's godmother was blamed for making racist comments at an event hosted by Queen Consort Camilla, a black reverend initiated the Prince and Princess of Wales' Earthshot launch event by giving a lecture about the "legacy of colonialism and racism." Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Boston's Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space gave an impactful speech just minutes prior to William and Kate taking to the podium at the city's launch event of the Prince's Earthshot Prize.
She told the crowd to "consider the legacy of colonialism and racism," especially when it comes to their impact on climate change. While the royal duo watched on from the wings, Reverend Hammond, who founded a youth organization focused on "teaching the history of the Civil Rights Movement," said, "On this day, I invite us all to consider the legacy of colonialism and racism." She continued, "The ways it has impacted people across the world and its connection, its deep connection to the degradation of land and our planet that we are all seeking to reverse. The stories lost, the species made extinct, but also the persistence of people in the face of oppression and the fundamental dignity of all of our relations."
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No mention was made about Lady Susan Hussey who was accused of making racist remarks to black domestic abuse campaigner Ngozi Fulani at a Buckingham Palace event on Tuesday night, November 29, after Hussey questioned her repeatedly about where she “really came from” but few could fail to connect the dispute with Reverend White-Hammond's comments. The Reverend started her speech by "acknowledging the ancestral lands we stand on today," and went on to express her appreciation to William and Kate for choosing to host this year's Earthshot Prize in Boston. "Now you all know, we are a city of many firsts. We are honored to be the first American city and the first city outside of the United Kingdom to host the Earthshot Prize," she continued, according to Daily Mail.
Her assertions about colonialism come months after William and Kate's international engagements to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, a March tour to the Caribbean which was covered with disagreements over allegations that elements of it smacked of "colonialism." Critical royal observers led by Meghan’s cheerleader-in-chief Omid Scobie and BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond slammed a series of ‘tone deaf’ PR moments which led to more backlash on social media despite the couple's warm welcome on the ground.
After appearances by Maura Healey, the Governor-elect of Massachusetts, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, William stepped out onto the stage with a smile on his face, even as the Reverend's remarks about racism and colonialism lingered in the air. "Catherine and I are absolutely delighted to be with you today, for our first engagement in the great city of Boston, as we start the count down to the Earthshot Prize Awards this Friday," he said. "Thank you to Mayor Wu and Reverend White-Hammond for all your support for the Earthshot Prize."
William then mentioned President John F Kennedy's Moonshot speech which served as the inspiration for his Earthshot Prize. He described it as "challenge to American innovation and ingenuity."
Who is Reverend Mariama White-Hammond?
Mariama White-Hammond is a minister and community activist of African-American descent who works on environmental, racial, and economic justice issues. She is the founding pastor of New Roots African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts. She served as the director of Project HIP-HOP, a youth organization that uses arts as a way to communicate and educate on social justice topics, prior to her ordination in the AME Church.
Reverend Hammond is the older of two children; her sister is Adiya White-Hammond. Her parents are Ray Hammond and Gloria White-Hammond, both medical doctors and ordained ministers in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. According to Wikipedia, Reverend Hammond attended the Winsor School and studied human rights law and international relations at Stanford University. In April 2021, she was appointed to serve as the city of Boston's chief of environment, energy, and open space, a position focused on environmentalism.