Here's Dolezal’s Full Statement Resigning as Spokane NAACP President

[lovemydog]

http://www.colorlines.com/articles/heres-dolezal’s-full-statement-resigning-spokane-naacp-president

http://www.colorlines.com

[lovemydog]

1. According to the above article and link, this was posted to Facebook:

Dear Executive Committee and NAACP Members,
It is a true honor to serve in the racial and social justice movement here in Spokane and across the nation. Many issues face us now that drive at the theme of urgency. Police brutality, biased curriculum in schools, economic disenfranchisement, health inequities, and a lack of pro-justice political representation are among the concerns at the forefront of the current administration of the Spokane NAACP. And yet, the dialogue has unexpectedly shifted internationally to my personal identity in the context of defining race and ethnicity.
I have waited in deference while others expressed their feelings, beliefs, confusions and even conclusions - absent the full story. I am consistently committed to empowering marginalized voices and believe that many individuals have been heard in the last hours and days that would not otherwise have had a platform to weigh in on this important discussion. Additionally, I have always deferred to the state and national NAACP leadership and offer my sincere gratitude for their unwavering support of my leadership through this unexpected firestorm.
While challenging the construct of race is at the core of evolving human consciousness, we can NOT afford to lose sight of the five Game Changers (Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Health & Healthcare, Education, Economic Sustainability, and Voting Rights & Political Representation) that affect millions, often with a life or death outcome. The movement is larger than a moment in time or a single person's story, and I hope that everyone offers their robust support of the Journey for Justice campaign that the NAACP launches today!
I am delighted that so many organizations and individuals have supported and collaborated with the Spokane NAACP under my leadership to grow this branch into one of the healthiest in the nation in 5 short months. In the eye of this current storm, I can see that a separation of family and organizational outcomes is in the best interest of the NAACP.
It is with complete allegiance to the cause of racial and social justice and the NAACP that I step aside from the Presidency and pass the baton to my Vice President, Naima Quarles-Burnley. It is my hope that by securing a beautiful office for the organization in the heart of downtown, bringing the local branch into financial compliance, catalyzing committees to do strategic work in the five Game Changer issues, launching community forums, putting the membership on a fast climb, and helping many individuals find the legal, financial and practical support needed to fight race-based discrimination, I have positioned the Spokane NAACP to buttress this transition.
Please know I will never stop fighting for human rights and will do everything in my power to help and assist, whether it means stepping up or stepping down, because this is not about me. It's about justice. This is not me quitting; this is a continuum. It's about moving the cause of human rights and the Black Liberation Movement along the continuum from Resistance to Chattel Slavery to Abolition to Defiance of Jim Crow to the building of Black Wall Street to the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement to the ‪#?BlackLivesMatter‬ movement and into a future of self-determination and empowerment.
With much love and a commitment to always fight for what is right and good in this world,
Rachel Dolezal

[Spazito]

5. Good!

After promising to address the questions surrounding her, she cancels the meeting, explains nothing and writes a 'how wonderful I am' resignation.

I have no respect or sympathy for her, none at all.

[lovemydog]

6. And no apology

for going in blackface like she's playing in some minstrel show.

[Spazito]

12. Yes, it is an appalling letter, imo, but, given what we know, not surprising...

No apology at all for deliberately and repeatedly lying, appropriating another race, deceiving those who trusted her.

She is proud of what she did, lies and all, that is very clear from her resignation letter. Appalling.

[bravenak]

77. Check this out.

https://mobile.twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/609897265050845184?t=1&cn=cmVjb3NfbmV0d29ya19kaWdlc3RfdHJpZ2dlcmVk&sig=76c1cbd5e90c5e83f698f23121b591147389b35c&al=1&refsrc=email&iid=59c8d642010c4af8986eef2385584237&autoactions=1434253427&uid=2194529292&nid=244%2041

[lovemydog]

80. The emojis.

LOL. Yeah, twitter is having a field day.

[bravenak]

82. I spit out my water when I got that link. Done. I can't take it.

[6chars]

9. It looks like the letter was a collaborative effort

It is meant to minimize damage to the organization. Which might be the best she can do at this point.

[lovemydog]

18. Yeah, you may be right about that.

She can do tearful interviews at a later date.

[ann---]

2. The most

honorable thing she has done so far since this started.
Rejecting her parents and lying to get ahead are not
traits of a decent person.

[kwassa]

4. Her parents are creationist fundamentalists.

and have broken with her and one of her adopted brothers.

I think there is a lot more to their story and the family dynamic that hasn't been told yet.

[lovemydog]

7. I think so too.

There must be a lot more to it.

Also, I won't be surprised if the Spokane police department charges her with filing false police reports. That would have wasted a good amount of their time and money.

[randome]

10. Supports the idea that she never bonded with her family and sought another identity for herself.

She's no victim but I don't see her as deceitful in the full meaning of the word, either. As you say, I'm sure there is a lot more to be said about the family situation.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"If you're bored then you're boring." -Harvey Danger[/center][/font][hr]

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

16. But she was their biological child.

And older than her adopted siblings. It's pretty rare not to bond with your biological mother, although it does happen.

I think she has some type of mental illness that makes her seek out victimhood. What better way to do that than to live as a black woman. She certainly wasn't balanced. How could a white woman passing as black tell a young woman in her class that she didn't look "hispanic?" Anyone who can say is living in deep denial, imo.

Some of the comments on her blogspot are telling as well.

http://racheldolezal.blogspot.com

I hope she gets help. She seems to be a thoughtful, empathetic, talented woman.

[randome]

20. Good points. Maybe she felt displaced by the adopted siblings?

She does need help, I think you're right. A therapist to start with. And hopefully something good will come of that.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"If you're bored then you're boring." -Harvey Danger[/center][/font][hr]

[SheilaT]

23. It's my casual observation that

a surprising number of people, although a minority, either don't bond or don't bond well with their biological mother. My observation is not data, I know, but I've known several people to whom this would apply.

Nonetheless, not bonding is a long way from claiming a racial identity not actually her own.

[randome]

25. But combine 'not bonding' with 'creationist fundamentalism' and maybe it's better understood?

Creationists are the chosen of God and she didn't feel 'chosen' in the family so...
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"If you're bored then you're boring." -Harvey Danger[/center][/font][hr]

[SheilaT]

45. That still doesn't justify

her completely bizarre claim to be African American.

[randome]

48. No, it doesn't justify anything but her adoptive siblings were black.

So maybe -from my armchair psychiatric viewpoint- she saw them as being more wanted by her parents so she 'became' black like them? Just speculation, of course.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]No squirrels were harmed in the making of this post. Yet.[/center][/font][hr]

[handmade34]

26. I did not bond with my mother...

and my readings and info tell me that Rachel Dolezal has done more good than harm in her life...

the attacks on her seem irrational

[randome]

31. She's apparently very talented as an artist.

She also thinks a little too highly of herself, IMO, judging from the comments on her blog.

Put all that together -fundamentalist parents, adoptive black siblings and a creative mind- and it's no wonder she's a little 'off'.

But then aren't we all?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You have to play the game to find out why you're playing the game. -Existenz[/center][/font][hr]

[TeeYiYi]

46. I think things are about to get...

...a little uncomfortable for her in the 'talented artist' category:


TYY

[randome]

47. Wow. That's interesting. Changes the conversation again.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]No squirrels were harmed in the making of this post. Yet.[/center][/font][hr]

[TeeYiYi]

49. Awkward...

She's completely claiming it as her own work. *smh*

This is an acrylic painting on a wooden panel; the original is 36"x36" and is part of a three-panel triptych representing absence, loss, and closure in relationships. The sharks and doves in this scene symbolize the contrast between cynicism and optimism in the male and female figures and the tumultuous water is offset by the verticality of the sun.

http://www.artpal.com/dolezal?i=12713-8

Did she really think nobody would notice?

TYY

[bravenak]

52. Wow...

This is too much.

[TeeYiYi]

55. I know...

Especially when you read about the original painting and what it symbolized.

TYY

[bravenak]

56. Shit. I had seen it before in my internet wanderings.

But I never knew the back story. I do not even know what to think about this at this point. At first I was just irritated by the lying, now I'm sure it is a sign of issues that run deep inside of her. With it coming out that her parents are Fundys and her brother may be a child molester, I'm hoping that she gets help, soon. Now she is not only faking her race, but stealing other's art. Looks like she has invented her own world. As much as I love Van Gogh, I would never pretend I came up with Starry Night. Professional help, I hope she gets some.

[TeeYiYi]

60. Agree...

I think she needs help. I feel sorry for her... but I'm also pretty disgusted. This art thing is beyond the pale.

I seriously hope she's on suicide watch because this is not going to go well for her.

TYY

[bravenak]

62. I was thinking the same thing.

I hope she is being monitored. She should check herself in for assesment and stress. I would in her place.

[TeeYiYi]

86. Here's something I thought you might appreciate...

I almost hate myself for sharing it because it makes me part of the internet pile-on that I sincerely detest.

Oh well. I couldn't resist. Her art heist jaded me. I wonder if she read the first page...



TYY

[bravenak]

87. Oh. My. God.

I am high on irony today. This shit just keeps getting more and more bizzarre. I hope she writes a tell all book that I can secretly purchase and read. I can't even wrap my head around this- weirdness.

[TeeYiYi]

91. It's too much....

She's teaching from that book! The irony of that first page was almost unbelievable... like, maybe it was fake; or the book was meant to be satire. And yet, she was teaching from it... I dunno!

TYY

[randome]

53. Let me enumerate the twists and turns in this story.

1. Rachel has claimed to be black but isn't.
2. Her adoptive siblings are black.
3. Her parents are creationist fundamentalists.
4. She is an artist in her own right. (I mean not everything is plagiarized, right?)
5. Some of her work is clearly plagiarized.
6. She is aiding the alleged victim of her biological brother's alleged sexual assault.

This is an information dense story, to say the least.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]No squirrels were harmed in the making of this post. Yet.[/center][/font][hr]

[Spazito]

54. Further evidence of her duplicity...

appropriating another race, appropriating another's work and talent, both done to benefit herself and no one else.

[LisaL]

79. And she actually sued Howard University alleging race discrimination.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/15/rachel-dolezal-sued-howard-university-for-race-dis/

[Spazito]

81. Geez...

"She claimed retaliation based on her race, gender, pregnancy and family responsibilities, saying she had been denied teaching positions and scholarship aid. She also complained that some of her artwork had been removed from an exhibition because black students were being favored. A judge, and subsequently an appeals court, found no basis for her claims."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/06/15/rachel-dolezal-sued-howard-for-racial-discrimination-because-she-was-white/

Every revelation makes her actions more reprehensible, not less.

[bravenak]

83. I wonder if the artwork they rejected was, um, copied?

[Spazito]

84. I was thinking the same thing...

Her 'talent' seems to be in appropriations rather than in the arts. Her self-absorbed ego is coming to the fore with every revelation, imo.

[bravenak]

85. You said that right! Her talents are in appropriations. Jeeze. So true.

[lovemydog]

59. Damn.

Next we'll find her claiming she painted the Mona Lisa.

[suffragette]

89. Wow, the deceit just keeps going on and on and on.

I also hope she gets the help she clearly needs.

[Prism]

71. Well she's just stealing everything, isn't she

That's a rather famous painting as well.

She's all done.

[ann---]

38. So?

That doesn't make her black. She's still white - and a pathological liar.

[randome]

41. Is Brian Williams a pathological liar?

Or did he simply get carried away by being the center of attention, small embellishments leading to greater falsehoods, etc.?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]No squirrels were harmed in the making of this post. Yet.[/center][/font][hr]

[Cal33]

88. Let me use my imagination a bit: Since she is white and had black adoptive siblings, one can

expect that her black siblings would have been teased, called names, and occasionally even bullied, by
white kids in the neighborhood, at school and in other social situations. They must have been crying,
and she, as big sister, would try to comfort and (whenever possible) even defend them. Over their
entire childhoods this must have happened hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

The unfairness, bitterness and resulting anger and rage probably grew stronger with each occurrence.
Each time they were insulted, she felt insulted. Their pain became her pain. It's not hard to suppose
that her identity with the big-sisterly role of comforter and protector of her black siblings became fixed
and permanent. And her kid brothers and sisters, in turn, loved and trusted her as she did them. Might
this have been a cause for her to eventually identify more with the black than with her own white race?

It is exactly in childhood, during our growing-up years, that our personalities are the most sensitive and
vulnerable to the experiences that play important roles in influencing the formation and direction of our
later personality and character as adults.

The NAACP is an excellent place for her to continue in her role as comforter and protector of her kid
brothers and sisters. I'm not saying that she is fully aware and conscious of the above. I just don't know.

[ann---]

90. So what does that mean?

Of course, white people raised with blacks can know what
they have endured by observation. However, that does NOT
make her black - period.

[Cal33]

93. I don't think in this case she could only have remained an "observer." As a kid, one really takes

active part in such emotional situations. I think the role of big sister, comforter and defender
to black kid-brothers and -sisters became something of a permanent identity with her. This
is what she grew up with. She is possibly not even aware of it. Of course she is not black, but
she probably strongly identifies with being big sister to blacks.

The above is an attempt at explaining how I think she came to be the way she is. That's all.

[Spazito]

98. If she identified with "being a big sister to blacks" ...

then why did she sue Howard University for, among other things, complaints some of her artwork had been removed from an exhibition because black students were being favored. Hardly 'sisterly', wouldn't you agree?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/06/15/rachel-dolezal-sued-howard-for-racial-discrimination-because-she-was-white/

[Cal33]

100. I was just attempting an explanation of how she became the way she did. I

could be wrong. On the other hand, you seem to think that because she identifies more
with blacks, she wouldn't ever sue blacks. Don't whites ever sue whites, and blacks ever
sue blacks? When people feel that they have been wronged, some will sue, regardless of
race.

Your link also mentioned that her then husband was black. She was involved in black
culture at Howard U., the subjects of her paintings were mostly black. She sure seems to
be very much interested in blacks, doesn't she. Even lovers do have quarrels occasionally,
don't they?

[Spazito]

102. I think she is a grifter...

and deceived everyone about her race for her own benefit rather than any real love for and of the African American community. I don't think it's any deeper than that.

[ann---]

103. I agree

I simply cannot understand those who are defending her deception.
It is, to put it bluntly, ugly. REAL black people must feel very offended
that some people are actually accepting this liar as "black" just because
she PRETENDS to be black.

I have absolutely no respect for her for the lie she told that the black
man in the photo was her father. That is sick.

[d_r]

70. What I don't know

Is there any possibility at all that her mother had an affair and the guy who thinks he is the father is not?

[handmade34]

13. most likely

the most honorable thing she has done is reject her parents... the parents are unseemly and vile to publically shame their daughter...

Rachel Dolezal identified as Black... seems no different than many that change identities one way or another...

[csziggy]

32. Rachel Dolezal identified as black - but she objected to other people that did

Or even to one of her students who WAS Hispanic - but Dolezal refused to let her narrate her experiences as a Hispanic because she didn't look Hispanic enough.

The student, who told BuzzFeed News that she identifies as Hispanic, grew up in a Spanish-speaking country, speaks the language fluently, and, while she has light skin, believes she has a “pretty solid experience of what it’s like to be Spanish.” She raised her hand to participate.

“I think we should ask another student,” the student recalled Dolezal saying in class.

The student asked why she could not participate.

“Rachel said I didn’t look Hispanic,” she said, and that her instructor “doubted that I could share experiences of racial or ethnic discrimination because I didn’t have the appearance of looking Hispanic.”
http://www.buzzfeed.com/tamerragriffin/rachel-dolezal-once-told-a-student-she-did-not-look-hispanic#.twdzzBx1Oq

She criticized Enimen for appropriating black culture:

DU thread: This Series of Five Rachel Dolezal 2014 Raw Interview Videos Will Absolutely Baffle You
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026838991

I don't criticize her for her lifestyle choices - but I do for her hypocrisy and lying.

[ann---]

51. Then not only is she a

pathological liar - she is a hypocritical pathological liar.
Shame on her.

[csziggy]

61. Yeah, that's the part that bothers me

As far as I am concerned she could have lived whatever style she wanted, and no one would have cared.

I think she's done much more damage to herself than to anyone else though. I hope she has someone to talk to and that she gets help so she can be happier with her real self. She seems to be a very unhappy person as she is now.

[radical noodle]

78. This actually makes some sense

She believes that one won't experience the same discrimination if other people don't perceive you as being a target of discrimination, which is pretty true. Then to experience the discrimination of African Americans, she becomes black in looks. It will be interesting to learn the whole story but her parents have given me the creeps; their conduct in all of this has been appalling.

[JustAnotherGen]

35. The next time I'm followed while shopping

I intend to turn around to the security guards, inform them I'm white - and hopefully this will correct them.

I think President Obama should change his race to white too - seriously. Then people on the right will get off his b*lls - since the color of his skin has had them in a tizzy all of these years.

I never knew it was so easy to just call myself white.

But - if I go that route - I'm going 'full on' Leprachaun.

I want a deal where I get to be on the Lucky Charms box.


ETA - this is going to be my avatar at DU as soon as I make it official:

[bravenak]

44. Oh lord!!

I'm gonna be white too!!!
I need a Go Fund Me for my White Privelege....

[lovemydog]

57. I'm working on a new hairstyle.

I swear it's not a wig.

[bravenak]

58. Lol!!

I liked her hair so much that I was like 'Damn! If white girl can go natural like THAT, it may be time for me to bust it out!' Her hair was flawless, I'll give her that much a least. She has an eye for style, for real.

[lovemydog]

66. LOL!

Just when I'm about to cut her some slack something new pops up. Suing Howard University for 'racial discrimination.' Stealing the Turner painting claiming it as hers. I'm waiting to hear her claim she founded Death Row Records or painted the original Mona Lisa.

[bravenak]

67. Well, I'm waiting to hear about that time she invented Hip Hip and taught Beyonce how to sing.

I know something is coming soon. The fun never stops with this one.

[JustAnotherGen]

73. To be jackasses

We should start one!

[bravenak]

74. We should.

"Bravenak is white now, America. Please help us fund her white privilege and pay for her education. She also wants a boat, thx!"

[JustAnotherGen]

96. I'm going bigger

I want a Hedge Fund!

[bravenak]

97. You killin' it today!!

I want a Trust Fund, fuck it!! Count me in!!

[missingthebigdog]

64. I hereby declare myself thin!

To hell with diet and exercise.

[lovemydog]

68. That's the spirit.

Don't let those naysayers hold you back. Sue them!

[JustAnotherGen]

72. Go on with your bad self!

[ann---]

39. Honorable to reject one's parents

because they are white? Would you say that if a minority
rejected black parents?

It's one thing to be estranged from one's family - that
does happen. But, to openly identify a black man as
one's father when one's white father is still alive is
the sign of a mental disturbance - not honor.

[handmade34]

43. I believe it can be okay

to reject any relationship that is unhealthy... none of us really know what the family and individual dynamics of this situation is... only speculation on our part... Rachel may have rejected her parents for any number of reasons... least of what I imagine to be is because they are White

The parents are wrong in publicly talking about their daughter... I would NEVER do that to a child of mine and respect NO parent that does that to their child.

"Mental disturbance" is often subjective, even within the parameters of our societies norms... I understand wanting and needing to identify with a culture different than one's own... people do it everyday with no controversy...

it appears that Rachel could see the virtues and positive aspects of the African American culture and felt a need to be a part and to use her energy to work within those boundaries to help right wrongs

it appears that Rachel Dolezal (despite what personal issues she has and stories she has told) has done more good for society than most any of us here and I will not fault her for that

[ann---]

50. Sorry

A pathological liar who has no respect for her parents
(especially her white father who was thrown under the
bus by her photo with a black "father&quot gets no respect
from me.

I think she is seriously disturbed if she cannot accept her
TRUE identity and STILL work as an activist for minority
rights.

She's a liar - period.

[kwassa]

92. Some parents deserve no respect.

they might be pathological liars as well.

You ignore the part about how they are creationist fundamentalists with estranged children.

How does that figure into your equation? If it does?

[MattBaggins]

21. Sometimes parents deserve to be rejected

[B2G]

27. WTF? What evidence do you have that they were bad parents?? nt

[JustAnotherGen]

40. It's like this - some at DU

Say/Write that because she SAYS she's black - she is.

So I'm guessing these people ALSO believe her claims that they were bad parents too. ETA: Because she said so.


She's told so many lies though - I can't believe she has an credibility with anyone -anywhere.

[KittyWampus]

63. well, they outed her when allegations of sexual abuse in her family arose….

so they seem like bad parents to me.

Especially since one of her black siblings left their home to live with HER.

[JustAnotherGen]

75. You noticed that too?

I think there's serious trauma around her - serious.

[LisaL]

76. So they should have just played along pretending she isn't their biological daughter?

Telling the truth isn't bad, is it?

[840high]

29. Prove they were bad parents.

[KittyWampus]

65. One of the black siblings left their home to live with her, her parents didn't out her

until the sexual molestation allegations arose….

and they're fundies….

May not be definitive proof but it sure as heck looks bad to me.

[LisaL]

69. She alleged a lot of things, including getting hate mail.

Which police said wasn't actually mailed, but rather placed in the mailbox.
Which ones of her allegations are believable to you?

[840high]

99. To me - none.

[lovemydog]

3. Here's the Facebook link.

https://www.facebook.com/spokane.naacp?fref=nf

[Tipperary]

8. There are some nasty comments on that page.

They should delete some of those comments that have nothing to do with the controversy.

[lovemydog]

14. I haven't read them all, but most

of the comments seem pretty interesting to me. Maybe there isn't anyone to delete the nasty ones now. I'd guess they are pretty busy with other stuff, lol.

[hunter]

11. I think she's a "Catch Me if You Can" sort...

... and the closets of her parents are filled with all sorts of skeletons.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_Me_If_You_Can

The story is amplified by U.S. America's fascination with racial divisions.

I think the story is just sad. It wouldn't surprise me if the "identity" her parents imposed on her as a child was severely twisted.

[cali]

15. short version: I'm wonderful and none of this mess is of my making

[lovemydog]

17. Yup.

[Tipperary]

19. Exactly right.

I am just amazed at her ability to block all this out as though she is some sort of victim.

[NaturalHigh]

34. You picked up on that too, eh?

[Tipperary]

22. This is just too funny:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/15/living/rachel-dolezal-tweets-memes-feat/index.html

[snooper2]

28. ROFLMAO

Dear World,

Because of the #RachelDolezal scandal we are banning mixed-blacks from using the N-word. Until we tighten security.

-Blacks

[JustAnotherGen]

36. Oh my!

[Tipperary]

37. That one was hilarious.

All of them are funny.

[MrScorpio]

24. What good did she'd think she accomplish if her life was based on a lie? nt

[840high]

30. xactly - she needs therapy.

[kwassa]

94. Many people achieve good things based on lies or misconceptions.

they still achieved good things, and that is admirable.

Rachel apparently revived the local chapter of the NAACP.

[NaturalHigh]

33. I imagine she'll end up with a talk show somewhere.

Her agents are likely putting out feelers already.

[tammywammy]

42. TLC has an opening.

[NaturalHigh]

105. She'll be great on their freak show lineup.

[shanti]

101. dr. shill, oops, phil

is probably breaking her door down as we speak to get a chance to talk to her on his show.

[NaturalHigh]

104. Oh yeah, I'll bet a day's pay she'll be on Dr. Phil.

[NaturalHigh]

106. FYI...she apparently already landed on the Today Show.

[MichMan]

95. How about this theory?

It appears obvious that she feels a real empathy and passion for the African American community

Let's just assume that she actually believed that she was discriminated against at Howard because of her being identified as white. With Howard being a college with such a strong black history & heritage, that is somewhat understandable, incorrectly or not, that she might think that she would never be truly accepted as "authentic"

If so, it would almost make sense that she would then decide that her best chance of success would be to assume a AA identity. In order to sell herself, she felt a need to cover her deception with a series of lies with one building on the last one etc.