Rachel Dolezal's Parents: 'Transracial' Is Not a Real Thing

Rachel Dolezal's parents dismissed the notion of a "transracial" identity on national TV, less than an hour after their daughter resigned as president of the Spokane NAACP following revelations that she is actually white.

Image source: MSNBC

MSNBC's Thomas Roberts asked Ruthanne Dolezal if she felt that "transracial" was a "real thing."

"I don't see any honest way that a person can describe themselves as transracial because your ethnicity comes from your genetic code and what's handed down to you by your parents, your real biological parents," she replied. "And I think the healthy path to take on this kind of discussion is to find a way to embrace and celebrate who you are -- or who you really are."

Asked how he felt about his daughter's resignation, Dolezal's father said they support her decision.

"We read her letter. It was very well-written. And we just hope and pray what she said in her closing, will also be inclusive of her family," Larry Dolezal said.

Ruthanne Dolezal called their family situation "painful" and went on to say, "I noticed in her letter of resignation there was no actual addressing of the issue of being dishonest about her ethnicity. Nor was there any apology. So, I see that as a first step in her path to moving away from the negative feelings that she's had toward her family members. And I pray that she will take the steps necessary to embrace her true personal identity and not feel compelled to be false or malicious toward her family."

Roberts also asked Dolezal's father about a photo that may have triggered the entire story: an image Rachel posted on her Facebook page earlier this year, showing a black man she reported to be her father, who was coming to speak at an NAACP event. Larry Dolezal told Roberts the image "hurts deeply because she used to call me papa."

Image source: MSNBC

Roberts asked the Dolezals if they are worried about their daughter, her mental health and whether "the exposure that this has brought her might be harmful to her going forward."

"I am concerned for Rachel," Ruthanne Dolezal said. "Particularly, because of her dishonesty and then the unwillingness so far to address that and choose a new course. And that will be absolutely necessary for her to move forward."

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