Meghan Markle: The Modern Scapegoat in the Shadow of Princess Diana
Meghan has been cast as the inverse to Diana, a photonegative of adoration. Why do we need scapegoats? | Brigid Delaney
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been portrayed as a scapegoat in modern society, contrasting sharply with the adoration received by Princess Diana. Analysis shows that Meghan faced significantly more negative press than her counterparts, reflecting deeper societal anxieties and the human tendency to blame individuals for communal unrest.
- 01Meghan Markle received 21,100 negative news stories in 2019, five times more than Catherine, Princess of Wales.
- 02The public's hostility towards Meghan reflects broader societal anxieties, including Brexit and national identity confusion.
- 03Philosopher René Girard's theory suggests that scapegoating serves to unify communities by directing blame towards an individual.
- 04Meghan's role as a scapegoat is marked by disproportionate public reaction to her actions, often unrelated to her actual behavior.
- 05The media plays a significant role in perpetuating Meghan's scapegoating, profiting from public outrage.
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Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has emerged as a modern scapegoat in stark contrast to the public adoration of Princess Diana. In 2019 alone, Meghan was featured in 21,100 negative news stories, significantly outpacing Catherine, Princess of Wales, who had 4,300. This disparity highlights a troubling societal tendency to project collective anxieties onto individuals, particularly during times of crisis, such as Brexit and the pandemic. Philosopher René Girard's insights into scapegoating suggest that societies often unify by blaming a single figure, and Meghan fits this role as she navigates her identity as both an outsider and a member of the British royal family. The intense media scrutiny she faces reflects a disproportionate response to her actions, often rooted in cultural tensions and perceived transgressions. The ongoing narrative around Meghan reveals deeper issues within British society, including fears around immigration and national identity. The media's role in fueling this scapegoating underscores the complexities of public perception and the human need for a target in times of uncertainty. Ultimately, both Meghan and Diana are complex individuals, and reducing them to mere symbols of societal issues diminishes their humanity.
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The public's perception of Meghan Markle reflects broader societal issues, influencing discussions around race, identity, and the monarchy in the UK.
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