” As for her benefitting…we are talking Spokane, Washington & claiming Black while serving the NAACP; those who know Spokane know how absurd that sounds.”
arl Mack, former Seattle President of the NAACPOn The Black Top: White Woman Claims Black?!
Because of my past service to our beloved NAACP, more than a few of you have tagged me regarding this story. Fair enough.
I have read comments which insinuated that President Dolezal benefitted as a White woman, within the NAACP, by claiming Black. I obviously missed those benefits, so please help me understand those perks. First, I doubt most of you reading this have EVER carried a NAACP membership card. Yes, the Mack Family ar…e all card carrying Life Members. Furthermore, lots of folks don’t want to advertise their affiliation with the NAACP. Second, since when did claiming to be Black become an ADVANTAGE in America?
There is no doubt that I felt support from the Black community in Seattle while serving within the NAACP. However, it’s difficult to argue President Dolezal’s commitment to our community. I could only wish that more Black would CLAIM BLACK like that! As for the NAACP, our beloved organization deserves the type of commitment she has rendered. Now, I’m not saying she is Viola Liuzzo (the White woman HERO, from Michigan who died driving civil right workers to the South) but I do respect her efforts. As for her benefitting…we are talking Spokane, Washington & claiming Black while serving the NAACP; those who know Spokane know how absurd that sounds.
There is one problem that hit me immediately upon reading this article…how her parents must feel by her denying them and their race/culture. I know if my children denied our race/culture, that would be painful.
In closing, there is at least one time that I knew of where a Black man within the NAACP claimed White. Ironically, his name was Walter White, and he was the FIRST Black to serve as National President of the NAACP. Because he was so light in complexion, he risked his life to infiltrate communities where atrocities were committed against Blacks to investigate. Most people who would see him, would think he was White. His “FAKE” helped us in our fight. History does have a way of REPEATING itself.
President Dolezal, my use of the Terms of Endearment, Brothers & Sistas, is not based on race. You Madame President are a good Sista and you have at least one admirer because of your willingness to CLAIM Black and back us up! Claim On, Sista!