Due to the sensitive nature of this topic let me first put the disclaimer out there that I am a black young man born to two black parents. With that out of the way, I really don't see the big controversy over Rachel Dolezal identifying as black, and I think the media is hyping this story for ratings by exploiting the tense state of race relations in America at the moment.
For those of you who don't know by now, Rachel Dolezal is the former President of the NAACP Chapter in Spokane, Washington. She resigned on Monday amid allegations that she misrepresnets her race. She repeatedly identifies herself as black (including as recently as today in an interview on the Today Show), but her estranged biological parents - who are both Caucasian - attest that she is white.
More on my thoughts on the Rachel Dolezal 'controversy' below...
Given the heightened state of race relations in America currently, I can understand how this story is easy fodder for the media and how it could evoke strong reactions from some people including those who want to suggest that she is somehow taking advantage of the black community. I think this is completely ludicrous. If anything I see Rachel Dolezal as a plus for the black community. A racial ambassador who has managed to immerse herself completely into black culture and take up our cause. I am glad that there are prominent blacks out there defending her.
I get the argument about the way she went about representing herself and how it brings her integrity into question. However that should not distract from the good that she has done and continues to do for the black community. I will make this statement that some will consider controversial: but I think Rachel Dolezal is more black than many people in the black community (including myself I would add). This is a woman who has embraced black culture and dedicated her life to taking up the cause of the black community whereas many blacks are trying to run away from who they are.
Should I talk about the black women (and men too) who bleach their skin to achieve a fairer complexion? The highly educated and well to do blacks who do everything they can to distance themselves from the community? The rich successful black men who think they are too good for a black woman? The Tiger Woods who go at pains to explain how he is not black? People like Clarence Thomas, who through an extreme case of self-hatred, has resolved to exacting as much pain on the black community as possible? These people have dealt a devastating blow to the black psyche. The idea engrained in young black minds is that if you are black you must run away from who you are as much as possible to be successful.
Rachel Dolezal is more proud to be black than many blacks are of their culture. She has embraced black culture in a way that many blacks (including myself) hasn't. I accept her and I welcome her. She should not have had to resign from her NAACP post. I hope more black people come out and defend her. For all the Clarence Thomases out there, I'd take a million more Rachel Dolezals.
