USA Today Article
Works Cited
Viydo, Shawn Chitnis Taylor, and Lindsay Nadrich KREM-TV Spokane Wash. "Parents out 'black' NAACP Leader as White Woman." USA Today. Gannett, 12 June 2015. Web. 03 May 2016.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
NAACP Leader Ratted Out as Not Black
In the summer of 2015, NAACP President Rachel Dolezal was brought to the public eye when her parents classified her as actually being a white woman and not African American. As many know, NAACP stands for "The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People." As the leader of the association, Rachel appeared to look African American. Though actually German and Czech, Rachel changed her appearance. Her parents state "Rachel has wanted to be somebody she's not. She's chosen not to just be herself but to represent herself as an African-American woman or biracial person. And that's simply not true" (USA Today). The issue here is not Rachel's activism or willingness for change, but she lied to the association, society, and her family. The USA Today article reveals before and after pictures of Rachel and it is apparent that she changed her hair, skin color, and past life. Rachel stated that she "does not consider her biological parents her real parents" (USA Today). Though it is hard to pinpoint why Rachel went through this racial transformation and began classifying herself as partially African American, it is ethically wrong. As the leader of national association, she may have taken the position away from another African American who truly was being ethical and honest. It is great that Rachel Dolezal feels passionate about equal justice for all, but she most definitely went about it in the wrong manner.
USA Today Article
USA Today Article
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This speaks to so many issues not the least of which is what is the core element of racial or ethnic identity.
ReplyDeleteI am unable to fully comprehend why she went to such great lengths to undergo this transformation. Perhaps she did this to feel a certain belonging to a group. Maybe she felt as though she needed to do what she had to help the organization in an 'administrative' manner, rather than as an ally. Or even, there exists a personal connection to those in her past, or a rejection from her own social and racial group. Regardless, I believe her intentions were not of malice, and she should have the ability to remain an ally to the organization.
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