An online influencer’s desire to identify as ‘transracial’ reveals their own racism, transphobia and privileged perspective.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Rachel Dolezal
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History professor Jessica Krug had built her life as a Black woman, but she was a white Jewish woman from Kansas. Her revelation raises questions about why some white people assume Black identities.
When philosopher Rebecca Tuvel asked if racial identity could be as fluid as gender, she unleashed a storm of controversy and anger. Instead of shutting her down, we should listen and debate.
In the US and South Africa, “passing” as another race has a long and painful history. Controversial American Rachel Dolezal’s “passing” to justify her identity makes a mockery of such histories.
To understand the full context of Rachel Dolezal’s ‘transracialism’ it pays to look at the history of race and slavery.
Rachel Dolezal isn’t the only one who experiences a transition in racial categories, but what are the implications of inconsistent racial identifications on mental health?
Do academics need to change the way they teach race? What is the impact of students having been socialized to believe that “race doesn’t matter”?
Top contributors
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Tutor, MA student, University of Cape Town
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Assistant Professor of Sociology, Birmingham-Southern College
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Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of California, Merced
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Visiting Researcher in Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University
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Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science, OCAD University/Associate Professor of Sociology, Gender Studies and Cultural Studies (retired), Queen's University, Ontario
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Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students Equity and Indigenous), Edith Cowan University
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Professor, Departments of English Langauge and Literature & Communication Arts, University of Waterloo
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Equity Projects Officer, Edith Cowan University
