Real or Rachel?
Look, I know it’s Black History Month and while ironically Omarosa will not make this post I think an important conversation about an even more infamous Woman needs to be had. That being the peculiar case of Rachel Dolezal.
Religion being the most divisive element in our society is only rivaled by that of race. With nothing more than minute, racially motivated, scientific fallacies strung together, race has been proven to undoubtedly be socially constructed. The foundations behind the concept of race become extremely shaking when viewed through its own lens of physical characteristics. In short the notion of race is relatively new but crafted with the intent of sowing dissension and dissolution amongst the masses. What has always interested me is the juxtaposition to the notion of race, its implications and enforcement on people of color. With the sad fact being that race is only relevant if you’re not white.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way. In regards to the escapades of Dolezal, while her actions share in the DNA of the minstrel performances of the 1800’s, in some respect Rachael’s actions weather intentionally or unintentionally reinforces race’s socially constructed nature. Admittedly Rachael has done no different than what wealthy, white, Men and Women have been doing since arriving in the western hemisphere, which is whatever, whenever, and to whomever while exploiting systems of oppression for their own benefit.
What I am about to say in no way do I condone her actions or believe that she’s a victim in the series of events following her exposure. But it should be noted that in a world filled with performative activism and allies ship, Rachel stood out. In an interview conducted by USA Today, Dolezal’s College “Kitara Johnson” from The Spokane Chapter NAACP states “The NAACP would have wholeheartedly welcomed her with open arms had she been honest.” Instead she chose to compromise the integrity of an internationally known civil rights organization, with a history of standing with black and white allies for the rights of all marginalized communities.
To be curt Rachel Dolezal was only allowed to excel as a Black Woman because she wasn’t. At any time Rachel knew that she could revert to her base and receiver reprieve from her white brethren. The same cannot be said for an individual truly living in black and brown skin. While race’s social construction is acknowledged subtly throughout our society, the social, political, implications, are all too real for those not allotted the opportunity to cater their experiences in this skin, in my skin, to their liking for entertainment or research purposes.
