Thread: Why does it seem like everyone is trashing Rachel Dolezal??

For those who don't know and/or for our international bretheren, Rachel Dolezal was the head of a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP Chapter on the east cost of the U.S. She became nationally recognized because she was a caucasian woman who most would say deceived people by posing as an African American woman. She was fired from her job and apparently can't get a job anywhere else, has had to collect food stamps, etc. The only work she's been offered is porn or reality TV both offers of which she's rejected. She maintains that she is "trans-racial". She's biologically a caucasian woman but identifies as a black woman. I think it's fair to say that her name is mud in the U.S. most likely due her deceptive actions in relation to her employment. However, aside from that, it appears that her subjective view of being trans-racial has also been seemingly rejected en masse even among "progressives" and "liberals".

I'm very confused by this. Honestly I am.

We now live in a society in the U.S. where trans-gender is largely accepted and upheld. A human biologically of one sex subjectively identifying as another sex with society as a whole recognizing that person's gender identity as they see it rather than biological identity.

Why then is it unacceptable for a person to identify with and be acknowledged as a different race?

I don't get it.

Can someone play the devil's advocate here and tell me who the two scenarios above differ?

Biological male athletes identifying as transgender females are benefitting identifying as and competing against biologically female athletes.

What would the reason be for disallowing a caucasian who identifies as black from applying for minority scholarships or benefit from affirmative action in the workplace?

My thought is: within the construct of society's current acceptance of transgenger (merely thinking you're a sex opposite your biological sex) up to and including having rights that may be given to the sex the transgender person identifies with, I would support the idea of a person biologically of one race identifying with/thinking they are another race up to and including having rights and benefits that may be given to the race the person identifies with. What's good for the goose has got to be good for the gander.

Thoughts?

Chris - I'll give it a shot and venture to say it is associated with these things. They're called prejudice, greed, and jealousy. It's unfortunate these things dictate our thoughts and how we feel about each other. But there it is! White America perceives her as a threat and Black America perceives her as a traitor.

This is my opinion and mine only. That's how I see it. Imagine if the entire human race was blind. We would find a way to be prejudice against other people because maybe the size of their hands or the way they smell. It's just human nature.

Stay above it and don't lose sight of your values. It's worth the effort!

It's very simple. The trans gender folks or related ones aren't just saying they are this and that, they are different and I think the medical establishment would say psychologically they are different for a variety of reasons.

In the case you mention she is a liar and deceiver plain and simple. In a way a confidence person using her assumed race for personal gain.

"In the land of the blind, The one eyed man is not king. The blind work at the comfortable times and enjoy the rest of the day or night. The sighted has no apparent advantage ...
~Richard

When she said, "I don't understand the question?" that may have influenced how some people viewed her.

She was lying to an employer and saying she was black. Even went so far as to represent a black man as her father. There is a difference between "identifying" as something and falsely claiming something for employment reasons. The NAACP would not have put her in that position had they known she was white. Maybe we need to ask why she felt she had to lie to them?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's very simple. The trans gender folks or related ones aren't just saying they are this and that, they are different and I think the medical establishment would say psychologically they are different for a variety of reasons.

In the case you mention she is a liar and deceiver plain and simple. In a way a confidence person using her assumed race for personal gain.

So just like Elizabeth Warren

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

When she said, "I don't understand the question?" that may have influenced how some people viewed her.

Well I could say; "I don't understand the thread"!
Like most people claiming to be 'different' and attempt to get special treatment because of that perceived 'difference'.
Sometimes, you get what you ask for.
I feel we are all pretty much the same. Except what is in our minds.
JMHO

She is perceived as a liar and made fools out of those that trusted her. She actually did put on a ruse so it is what it is. People perceived as confused (whether they are or not) will be forgiven. She was clearly not confused about what she was doing by her own admission. It's now a matter of who is going to trust her and with what. Employers have a zero tolerance for this and for good reason.
Me ; I have a low tolerance for stupid. Ignorance I can live with. That may explain my answer :<0)

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's very simple. The trans gender folks or related ones aren't just saying they are this and that, they are different and I think the medical establishment would say psychologically they are different for a variety of reasons.

In the case you mention she is a liar and deceiver plain and simple. In a way a confidence person using her assumed race for personal gain.

Saying transgender are different depends on the parameters used to determine the differences. A post-op transsexual although forever biologically the gender they were born clearly alters his/her appearance in a radical way to the gender they perceive/think themselves to be and western society has accepted the individual's perception of themselves as their new gender.

My understanding about the shifting perception of gender in western society is that currently pre-op transsexuals or even those that have made no radical changes of any kind are also accepted as the gender they think they are. "I think [ I'm a different gender than I am biologically] therefore I am"....

The intent of my post here is not to focus on Dolezal's deceit but rather to pose the question why is: "I think [I'm a different gender than I am biologically] therefore I am" acceptable and embraced by society but: "I think [I'm a different race than I am biologically] therefore I am" is not accepted and even brushed aside as poppycock?

I'm not making light of this; I'm not, for example saying that because transgender by thought is accepted that thinking you're an animal, a chair, etc should also be accepted. I think if transgender than why not transracial is a very legitimate question.....