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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRachel Dolezal: "I wouldn't say I'm African American, but I would say I'm black"
http://www.colorlines.com/articles/rachel-dolezal-vanity-fair-i-wouldnt-say-im-african-american-i-would-say-im-blackIts not a costume. I dont know spiritually and metaphysically how this goes, but I do know that from my earliest memories I have awareness and connection with the black experience, and thats never left me. Its not something that I can put on and take off anymore. Like I said, Ive had my years of confusion and wondering who I really [was] and why and how do I live my life and make sense of it all, but Im not confused about that any longer. I think the world might bebut Im not.
Dolezal also said that she doesnt feel she lied about who she is:
Its taken my entire life to negotiate how to identify, and Ive done a lot of research and a lot of studying. I could have a long conversation, an academic conversation about that. I dont know. I just feel like I didnt mislead anybody; I didnt deceive anybody. If people feel misled or deceived, then sorry that they feel that way, but I believe thats more due to their definition and construct of race in their own minds than it is to my integrity or honesty, because I wouldnt say Im African American, but I would say Im black, and theres a difference in those terms.
She goes on to talk about the things she lost when the controversy hit, including her position at the NAACP, her spot on the police oversight commission and her part-time job teaching in the Africana Studies program at Eastern Washington University. Ive got to figure it out before August 1, because my last paycheck was like $1,800 in June. [I lost] friends and the jobs and the work andoh, my Godso much at the same time, she told writer Allison Samuels. She says she is making money by doing hair, and she averages three appointments a week for braids and weaves.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)" from my earliest memories I have awareness and connection with the black experience,"
Lincoln County, Montana
The racial makeup of the county was 96.09% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of German, 12.0% English, 10.2% American, 9.8% Norwegian and 9.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.5% spoke English, 1.7% German and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)For what that is worth.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)LOL-
Ironic thing is, I actually read the whole article, since losing her jobs the only money she is making is from doing hair for black women.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)And so she has blocked out the time in her life before she became a teenager?
cwydro
(51,308 posts)I was convinced I was an American Indian. I told my parents I was sure they had adopted me. (I'm very white lol).
My British parents gently explained to me that I was not, but they encouraged me to read and learn about American Indians. They took me to historic Indian sites and bought me books.
But I knew I really wasn't an Indian, no matter how much I wanted to be.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Becoming black?
She's a grifter, plain and simple
That is all.
Initech
(100,149 posts)Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)an "honorary" black person, if that would make her STFU and go away. What a weird way to get her 15 minutes of fame.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)absolutely anyone or anything they please. The problem starts when you expect anyone else to share your concept of your self. Unless it somewhat matches up reality, you may find yourself alone on your own planet!
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)Walk away
(9,494 posts)Off with their heads!!!!
Chirpio
(28 posts)I quit feeling half Scandinavian half Peruvian.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)That's a question that must be answered.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)tammywammy
(26,582 posts)Danielle ?@abradacabla
#BernieSoBlack Rachel Dolezal claimed he's her grandfather
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Please deposit more quarters.
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)I can't speak to her inner life, but she didn't just pretend to be Black. She created a whole character of a particular female activist of Black consciousness, who explores how race theory and her life intersects. I notice she didn't "feel" like a Black person who works at Jimmie Johns and takes shit from the boss all day.