Rachel Dolezal Breaks Her Silence: 'I Identify As Black' | TODAY

Summary

Rachel Dolezal, former NAACP Spokane chapter president, reflects on her controversial identity journey in a candid interview. She discusses her self-identification as Black from a young age, despite being born to white parents, and addresses accusations of deception. Rachel speaks about her experience as a human rights activist and how her racial identity has shaped her personal and professional life. She also touches on her impact at the NAACP, her resignation, and the complex relationship with her two sons. The discussion raises broader questions about race, identity, and cultural self-determination.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rachel Dolezal resigned from her position at the NAACP, prompting a national conversation about race and identity.
• 😀 Rachel identifies as Black, despite being born to white parents, and has faced ongoing scrutiny about her racial identity.
• 😀 She began identifying with the Black experience from a young age, even drawing self-portraits with brown crayons at age 5.
• 😀 Critics accuse her of deceiving people about her race, but Rachel asserts that her identity is more complex than simply being 'true or false.'
• 😀 Rachel’s appearance has changed over the years, including darker skin, but she denies using blackface or performing a racial 'act.'
• 😀 She argues that her work in human rights and her identification as Black have been deeply rooted in her personal experiences and beliefs, rather than career advantage.
• 😀 Rachel’s stance on race and identity has sparked a broader discussion about self-determination, culture, and personal agency.
• 😀 She maintains that her identity has always been about survival, navigating a complex world that defines people by race.
• 😀 Rachel’s two sons, Isaiah and Franklin, support her racial identity and describe her as culturally Black, though acknowledging her human experience transcends race.
• 😀 Despite the controversy, Rachel claims she would make the same decisions again, emphasizing the importance of her journey and the impact of her work.
• 😀 The interview suggests that while Rachel faced backlash, her actions contributed to ongoing conversations about race, identity, and societal definitions of ethnicity.

Q & A

What was the unexpected aspect of Rachel Dolezal's resignation from the NAACP?

The unexpected part was the timing of her resignation, which she had not anticipated. It came as a surprise to her, even though she knew she would eventually have to address the complexity of her racial identity.

Why does Rachel Dolezal identify as Black, despite her Caucasian heritage?

Rachel Dolezal has identified as Black since a very young age, starting when she was about five years old. She felt a connection to the Black experience, even drawing self-portraits using brown crayons to represent herself.

Did Rachel Dolezal ever identify as a Caucasian woman during her early years?

No, Rachel Dolezal did not identify as Caucasian. However, she acknowledges that in photographs from her early years, she might have appeared to be white. Despite this, she has always seen herself as part of the Black experience.

What was Rachel Dolezal's response to being accused of deceiving people about her racial identity?

Rachel disagrees with the accusation of deceit, stating that her racial identity is more complex than simply being categorized as Black or white. She explained that some of the confusion stemmed from being identified as biracial or Black in certain contexts without explicitly correcting the perception.

Why didn't Rachel Dolezal correct the reports identifying her as biracial or Black?

She did not correct the reports because, in her view, it was more complex than a simple true or false situation. She was engaged in human rights work, and these identifications seemed to be an extension of her efforts, even though they weren't strictly accurate.

Did Rachel Dolezal intentionally change her appearance to appear darker?

Rachel Dolezal clarified that she did not intentionally darken her complexion, but she did spend time outdoors. She strongly rejected the idea that she was putting on 'blackface' as a performance.

How does Rachel Dolezal respond to comparisons with blackface?

Rachel rejects the comparison to blackface, emphasizing that her experience is not a mockery or performance, but rather a genuine connection to the Black experience. She points out that her identity was shaped by real-life experiences, including her connection with her son, Isaiah.

What was the reason Rachel Dolezal pointed to an African-American man, Albert Wilkinson, as her father?

Rachel Dolezal explained that Albert Wilkinson was someone she considered a father figure in a personal sense, though he was not her biological father. She clarified that she had a close relationship with him, but it was not an attempt to enhance her racial identity.

What is the significance of Rachel Dolezal's lawsuit against Howard University in 2002?

Rachel Dolezal filed the lawsuit after being removed from her teaching assistant position and having her scholarship revoked. She claimed that it was due to discrimination against her as a pregnant white woman, which she felt was an injustice.

Would Rachel Dolezal make the same choices again, considering the fallout from her actions?

Rachel stated that, despite the controversy, she would make the same choices. She believes that her actions, including how she identified racially, were driven by survival and a need to move forward in life.

What does Rachel Dolezal want people to take away from the discussion about her identity?

Rachel hopes the discussion will focus on the broader questions of race, ethnicity, self-determination, and personal agency. She wants to encourage a deeper understanding of what it means to be human and the complexities of identity.

How do Rachel Dolezal's sons view her racial identity?

Rachel's sons support her identity, with one of them, Isaiah, saying that racially, she is human, and culturally, she is Black. They have had discussions about her identity, and they are supportive of how she identifies.