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Rachel Dolezal is back. For those who have forgotten (or never knew). Dolezal is the white woman who for 10 years pretended she was black before being publicly outed in 2015. Before being exposed by her parents, Dolezal was head of the Spokane, Washington chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and an African studies teacher at Eastern Washington University. (1)
Dolezal rejected the notion of being a fraud. In fact, she suggests that the very concept of race is fraudulent in that it is non-existent. Nevertheless, she finds it useful insofar as it assists with self-identification:
“If somebody asked me how I identify, I identify as black. Nothing about whiteness describes who I am… For as long as I can remember, I saw myself as black.” (2)
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In spite of the furore, Dolezal garnered support from some sections of the community. For example USC Gould School of Law professor Camille Gear Rich opined:
“Dolezal is disturbing for many people because she marks a cultural fault line. Like it or not, we have entered into an era of elective race — a time when people expect that one has a right and dignity to claim the identity of one’s choice… She forces us to consider whether our biology or our action is more important to identity, and should we act in ways that honor our chosen identity in meaningful ways. We should not have to be slaves to the biological definition of identity, and we should not use race or gender identities as weapons to punish one another.” (3)
Some celebrities like Rihanna, Raven Symone and Whoopi Goldberg also applauded the former local NAACP head. Singing superstar Rihanna called her “a bit of a hero,” (4) while Goldberg offered the following defence:
“If she wants to be black, she can be black. Look, just like people say, ‘I feel like a man, I feel like a woman, I feel like this.’ She wants to be a black woman, fine. Everything that comes with that she is prepared for. Okay.” (5)
Goldberg alluded a comparison of the Dolezal case with the transgender issue and the assertion of being “a girl, but… assigned male at birth.” (6)
This line of reasoning resonates with Rachel Dolezal who believes the word “transracial” has become socially useful in describing racial fluidity and identity.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMeNwntrZr8):
“Gender is understood – we have progressed, we have evolved into understanding gender is not binary, it is not even biological but what strikes me as so odd is that race is not biological either and actually race has been to some extent less biological than gender.” (7)
However, not everyone is enamoured with Dolezal’s argument.
Back in 2015 writer and independent equality consultant Guilaine Kinouani explained “Why black women feel so betrayed by Rachel Dolezal.” (8) More recently, on BBC’s Newsnight (27/03/17) Sis. Guilaine reiterated her critique of Dolezal, in light of an interview with Dolezal broadcast in the programme. The interview offers Dolezal the opportunity to recount the hardships suffered (poverty, unemployment and virtual homelessness) since being outed. Experiences that have been detailed in her new book In Full Colour: Finding My Place In A Black and White World. Kinouani argued:
“There are various problems with Rachael Dolezal’s position, comparing transgenderism with transracialism. It’s a fallacy. It’s a false equivalency.” Although Kinouani empathizes with the possibility that due to her childhood experiences Rachel Dolezal may associate whiteness with abuse and neglect, but remains sceptical due to Rachel Dolezal’s “inability to recognise and acknowledge her privilege as a white woman.” Kinouani also rejects the premise that Dolezal has been vilified, citing the book deal as evidence. (9)
Given the NAACP’s role at the more moderate end of the civil rights spectrum, it is within the bounds of possibility that a white woman could become a branch president, eliminating the need for such an elaborate ruse. But Dolezal isn’t done. She has now taken the extraordinary step of embellishing her narrative by calling herself Nkechi Diallo unapologetically “vows to return to black activism.” (10)
(1) Lucy Pasha-Robinson (27/03/17) – Rachel Dolezal: White woman who identifies as black calls for ‘racial fluidity’ to be accepted. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/rachel-dolezal-white-woman-black-racial-fluidity-accepted-transracial-naacp-a7653131.html(2) Olivia Blair (14/12/15) Rachel Dolezal ‘doesn’t believe in race’ despite furore over her identifying as black. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/rachel-dolezal-claims-she-doesnt-believe-in-race-despite-furore-over-her-identifying-as-black-a6772906.html(3) Camille Gear Rich (16/06/15) Rachel Dolezal has a right to be black. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/15/opinions/rich-rachel-dolezal/(4) Blair, Op cit.(5) Amanda Mikelberg (15/06/15) Whoopi Goldberg and Raven-Symone defend Rachel Dolezal on “The View.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/whoopi-goldberg-and-raven-symone-defend-rachel-dolezal-on-the-view/(6) Jane Mulkerrins (10/06/16) Laverne Cox: on growing up trans, Orange is the New Black and Caitlyn Jenner. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/2016/06/10/laverne-cox-on-growing-up-trans-orange-is-the-new-black-and-cait/(7) Lucy Pasha-Robinson, Op cit.(8) Guilaine Kinouani (26/06/15) Why black women feel so betrayed by Rachel Dolezal. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/politics-blog/11700056/Why-black-women-feel-so-betrayed-by-Rachel-Dolezal.html(9) Newsnight (27/03/17) BBC 2.(10) James Wilkinson (27/03/17) Unapologetic race-faker Rachel Dolezal spotted pushing her son Langston in a stroller before her Today show appearance where she vowed to return to black activism. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4353534/Race-faker-Rachel-Dolezal-vows-return-black-activism.html#ixzz4cr0JPD4l
So we ask the question:
Is it possible to be “transracial”?
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Is Rachel Dolezal a fraud or a sincere ally?
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Is race now an “elective” choice?
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Or are we still “slaves to the biological definition of identity” in terms of race and gender?
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Or are notions of gender and racial fluidity themselves fallacies?
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Are there any other identities we can self-define?
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Does Dolezal’s name change confirm her commitment to the cause?
Our very special guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.
Hear weekly discussions and lively debate on all issues affecting the Afrikan community, at home and abroad. We talk it straight and make it plain!
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