Rachel Dolezal Resigns from Spokane NAACP

STEPPING DOWN …

Rachel Dolezal, the woman who faked her racial identity, has resigned as the president of the NAACP Spokane chapter. Rachel Dolezal portrayed herself as a black woman; however, she was outed by her parents as being white. Much of her past was made up. Her estranged parents told reporters last week that she is “Caucasian by birth,” with Czech, Swedish, German and a trace of Native American ancestry, even though she has been representing herself as black for years. The revelation that the Spokane NAACP chapter president was in fact white only had one conclusion. THIS WAS IT. You pretty much knew the handwriting was on the wall when Dolezal was scheduled to address the matter at a chapter meeting on Monday night, but the meeting was postponed.

So how much of this resignation was internal pressure? They can say all the right things externally, but as one can plainly see from the VIDEO below, there were some if not many who were openly upset that a white woman dare pass herself off as black. The activists stated, “I am sorry, you may not copy ‘MY’ people’s struggle.” So why is it being reported that she faked her racial identity, rather than she feels like she is a black woman? Hmm, isn’t that bigoted?

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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. [...]

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.

UPDATE I: NAACP Statement on the Resignation of Rachel Dolezal.

From Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President & CEO:

“The NAACP is not concerned with the racial identity of our leadership but the institutional integrity of our advocacy. Our focus must be on issues not individuals. Ms. Rachel Dolezal has decided to resign to ensure that the Spokane branch remains focused on fighting for civil and human rights. This resignation today comes amidst the real work of the NAACP and the real challenges to our democracy. (more)