The NAACP has released a statement addressing the uproar surrounding Rachel Dolezal, the president of the Spokane, WA NAACP chapter who has been identifying as black but is actually a white woman. In their statement, they are offering support to Dolezal and standing by her.
Baltimore, MD – For 106 years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has held a long and proud tradition of receiving support from people of all faiths, races, colors and creeds. NAACP Spokane Washington Branch President Rachel Dolezal is enduring a legal issue with her family, and we respect her privacy in this matter. One’s racial identity is not a qualifying criteria or disqualifying standard for NAACP leadership. The NAACP Alaska-Oregon-Washington State Conference stands behind Ms. Dolezal’s advocacy record. In every corner of this country, the NAACP remains committed to securing political, educational, and economic justice for all people, and we encourage Americans of all stripes to become members and serve as leaders in our organization.
Hate language sent through mail and social media along with credible threats continue to be a serious issue for our units in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. We take all threats seriously and encourage the FBI and the Department of Justice to fully investigate each occurrence.
Dolezal’s parents, Ruthanne and Larry, revealed to the media that they are white and so is their daughter. In an interview with the Spokesman-Review, they said that she had been pretending to be a black woman since 2006 or 2007.
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Dolezal is currently under investigation to determine whether she violated a code of ethics when she identified herself as white, black and American Indian on an application for the citizen police ombudsman commission, which she is the chair of.
