By now, you’ve probably heard the crazy story of Rachel Dolezal, the president of the Spokane, Washington branch of the NAACP who has been lying to the world, saying that she’s a Black woman when she is actually White. She even went so far as to (allegedly) mail herself hate mail to really drive the point home. Many would consider these actions sociopathic, so Rachel Dolezal may not be open to reason, but, simply put, you ain’t gotta lie to kick it.
The first reason Rachel Dolezal didn’t have to lie is because assuming that she wouldn’t be accepted by Black people as a White woman is mildly racist. She has obviously stereotyped Black people as a closed-minded and petty lot. In actuality, Black folks generally have genuine love for White folks who are all for our empowerment. How much more mileage would Rachel Dolezal gotten from just being herself? Probably a lot. Now, she has to live down the shame of shamming Black people for years and has lost our trust.
The other reason Rachel Dolezal ain’t have to lie is because of the history of the NAACP. It was, indeed, founded by White people. Many attribute the founding of the NAACP to scholar/activist W.E.B. Dubois, but that just isn’t true. Mary White Ovington, William English Walling and Henry Moskowitz (three White people) formed the NAACP after the Race Riot of 1908 in Springfield, Illinois. In fact, the very first national president of the NAACP was Moorfield Storey, a White man. There have also been White chapter presidents throughout history. Rachel Dolezal ain’t have to lie.
In the end, Rachel Dolezal would’ve been just fine if she was just herself. She would’ve just been a cool ass White lady fighting the good fight. Instead, she’s just a fraud.