Speaking out against systemic racism!

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Talk Black Lives Matter Movement: "This Change Is Needed"

During a special video call with youth leaders, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle discussed racial injustice and the Black Lives Matter movement! Here's what they said about it!

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle see the Black Lives Matter movement as being a necessary shift in the world when it comes to combating systemic racism!

As Entertainment Tonight shares, Harry and Meghan took part in a video call on July 1 with several young leaders. Representing the Queen's Commonwealth Trust— which they are president and vice president of, respectively— the couple shared their thoughts on what people can do to bring about meaningful change.

Meghan refers to Black Lives Matter as "a moment of reckoning"

Meghan and Harry had the chance to talk to youth leaders from across the globe during the video call. As Entertainment Tonight reports, the conversation was hosted by QCT Trustee Chrisann Jarrett, co-founder and co-CEO of We Belong.

They were also joined by Equality Bahamas director, Alicia Wallace, The Common Sense Network founder and CEO, Mike Omoniyi, and leader of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers network, Abdullahi Alim.

Entertainment Tonight says that Meghan referred to the Black Lives Matter movement as being "a moment of reckoning," while Harry commented on systemic racism existing because "someone, somewhere is benefiting from it."

Harry and Meghan talk about acknowledging unconscious bias

Harry stressed the importance of people doing the work to unlearn internalized racism. "We can’t deny or ignore the fact that all of us have been brought up and educated to see the world differently," he said during the call.

"However, once you start to realize that there is that bias there, then you need to acknowledge it, you need to do the work to be able to become more aware." Meghan then added that while it's not always apparent, such a bias often "lies and hides and thrives" in subtle moments.

"It's the nuances, I think, that makes it confusing for a lot of people to understand the role that they play in that, either passively and actively, but I think even more so passively," she explained. As Entertainment Tonight mentions, Meghan also acknowledged that her personal experience with racism has informed her own understanding.

Meghan says she sees people shifting away from "complacency"

Meghan went on to talk about why the Black Lives Matter movement has had a significant impact. "In people's complacency, they're complicit. And that, I think, is the shift we're seeing," she explained. "It's not enough to be a bystander and say, 'Well, it wasn't me.'"

"And that's what I think is very much manifested in what you're feeling from people's outpouring surrounding the murder of George Floyd," Meghan continued. "It wasn't that this wasn't always happening, it's that it's come to a head at time where people just said, 'Enough.'"

Meghan also said that she feels having an awareness of when to take the lead in conversations and knowing when to sit back and listen "are probably the two key ingredients" needed in order to create meaningful change.

Harry mentions "acknowledging the past" is key to moving forward

Harry then discussed how important it is to be aware of historical wrongdoings. "When you look across the Commonwealth, there is no way that we can move forward unless we acknowledge the past," he explained. "And I think so many people have done such an amazing, incredible job of acknowledging the past and trying to right those wrongs, but I think we all acknowledge on here that there’s so much more still to do."

"It’s not going to be easy and in some cases, and in some cases it’s not going to be comfortable," Harry went on to say. "But it needs to be done because, guess what? Everybody benefits. I think there's a hell of a lot that we together need to acknowledge, but I only see hope and optimism in the fact that we could only do this together."

Harry and Meghan discuss the "painful" process of societal growth

Meghan added onto what Harry had said, sharing how people "being a little uncomfortable right now" in regards to unlearning their internalized biases will eventually result in a place "where a high tide raises all ships."

"Growing pains are painful. This process is painful and it has been for a long time," she explained during the call. "But through that immense pain, what we can have tremendous faith in is knowing that there will be growth. And that's what we're seeing happen every single day."

As Entertainment Tonight says, Harry expressed his gratitude towards the youth leaders for providing "optimism and hope" within the world. "There is no turning back now. Everything is coming to a head," he continued. "Solutions exist and change is happening far quicker than it has ever done before... This change is needed and it's coming."