American civil rights activist and former Africana studies instructor. She was the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter in Spokane, Washington from 2014 until 15 June 2015, when she resigned following allegations she had lied about her racial identity. She is currently chair of Spokanes police ombudsman commission. From 2008 to 2010, she was a leader of the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. In June 2015, Dolezal came to media attention when her white parents publicly stated that Dolezal is a white woman passing as black. This occurred following Dolezals reports to police and to local news outlets that she had been the victim of nine hate crimes. Critics of Dolezal argue that she has committed cultural appropriation and fraud; defenders argue she is "transracial" and that her racial identity, while not grounded in biology or ancestry, is genuine. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less
Born: November 12, 1977, in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Rachel Dolezal gained significant media attention in 2015 when her racial identity as a Black woman was questioned. Prior to this, she was a prominent civil rights activist and instructor of Africana studies. The controversy surrounding her identity sparked widespread debate about race, self-identification, and cultural appropriation.
Dolezal's claims of being Black were challenged by her parents, who stated she was of European descent. The ensuing public scrutiny led to her resignation from her position as president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP and her position at Eastern Washington University. The events brought discussions of transracialism to the forefront of public discourse.
Following the controversy, Dolezal has maintained a lower public profile. Information about her current projects and activities is limited. She has occasionally given interviews and participated in documentaries revisiting the controversy, often defending her identification as Black. She has also explored various creative endeavors, including visual art and hair braiding, which she often connects to Black culture. Finding steady employment proved challenging after the controversy, and she reportedly faced financial difficulties.
Dolezal has a presence on social media platforms, though details about specific accounts may change. Searching for her name on platforms like Instagram or Twitter might reveal current accounts, if available.
Numerous articles, interviews, and documentaries have explored Dolezal's story and the complex issues it raised. Searching online can provide access to a wealth of information and diverse perspectives on the controversy.