Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Announces 2023 Ripple of Hope Awards Winners

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights recently unveiled the distinguished recipients of its 2023 Ripple of Hope Awards.

Among the honorees are Jeff Arnold, the visionary Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Sharecare, Greg Barone, the innovative Founder and CEO of Attain Enterprises, and Gail K. Boudreau, the esteemed President and CEO of Elephants Health.

These exceptional individuals will be celebrated at a grand gala scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 in New York.

What sets this year's award ceremony apart is a notable omission highlighted by a direct quote from the organization's website.

Notably absent from the list of previous winners of the prestigious Ripple of Hope Awards are prominent figures such as Stacey Abrams, Amanda Gorman, former President Barack Obama, Tim Cook, Colin Kaepernick, Dolores Werrer, Desmond Tutu, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, late Congressman John Lewis, Bono, Dr. Anthony Faurie, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Robert F. Smith, George Clooney, former President Bill Clinton, and then Vice President Joe Biden.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, however, were conspicuously missing from the roster of past awardees.

The couple had been honored at the 2022 Ripple of Hope Award ceremony for their efforts in combating racism, particularly within the Royal Family.

Cree Kennedy, who bestowed the award upon them, commended their commitment to the cause and revealed that the RFK Foundation recognized their contributions to the fight against racism.

In a surprising turn of events, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has seemingly distanced itself from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on its social media platforms.

While Meghan and Harry were prominently featured in at least two posts on the RFK Human Rights Twitter account last year, their presence has now been erased.

A search for their names on the organization's Instagram account yielded no results, with only a single image from the previous awards ceremony featuring the couple, albeit without any mention of their names.

Speculation abounds regarding the revocation of Harry and Meghan's Ripple of Hope Award, following Harry's recent remarks suggesting that the Royal Family is not racist.

The Duke faced backlash for his perceived backtrack on previous statements made during his interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.

Despite attempts to clarify his position, including in an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby and on Good Morning America, Harry's comments have stirred controversy and raised questions about the authenticity of his earlier claims.

Kerry Kennedy, in particular, finds herself in a challenging position after honoring the Sussexes, especially in light of Harry's conflicting statements regarding racism within the Royal Family.

The decision to recognize them for their work against structural racism now appears to have backfired, leading to criticism and negative reactions from various quarters.

Recent reports indicate a strained relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family, with Buckingham Palace reportedly closing its doors to the couple.

Despite hopes for reconciliation expressed by some insiders, the rift seems to have deepened due to the public nature of Harry and Meghan's projects, including documentaries and books that have further strained relations with the monarchy.

As the saga unfolds, it remains uncertain whether the rift between the Sussexes and the Royal Family can be bridged.

While forgiveness may come easier from the King, given his paternal bond with Harry, the current stance suggests that the door to reconciliation remains firmly shut for the time being.