Family Of NAACP Chapter President Rachel Dolezal Says She Has Falsely Portrayed Her Race For Years

The race of the NAACP chapter president in Spokane, Washington is being questioned after her family produced documentation that showed she is white.

UPDATE: Rachel Dolezal has resigned from her position as NAACP chapter president.

Rachel Dolezal identifies herself as African-American, but her birth certificate says she was born to two caucasian parents. A story on the KXLY website shows an old family photo that is much different than the photo that Dolezal has provided to public via the NAACP chapter's official Facebook page.

When she announced her father was coming to town for a visit, she showed herself standing next to an older African-American man.

There has been speculation surrounding Dolezal's race since she was confronted by a KXLY reporter who questioned the NAACP chapter president over a photo she was holding up.

"Is that your dad?"

"Yeah, that's...that's my dad."

"This man right here's your father? Right there?"

"You have a question about that?"

"Yes ma'am, I was wondering if your dad really is an African-American man."

"That's a very -- I mean, I don't know what you're implying."

"Are you African-American?"

"I don't understand the question of -- I did tell you that, yes, that's my dad. And he was unable to come in January."

"Are your parents...are they white?"

At that point Dolezal walked away from the microphone, leaving her purse and keys, and ducked into a nearby clothing store.

In addition to being president of her local NAACP chapter, she is also an academic expert of African-American culture and teaches related classes at Eastern Washington University.

She has also been a very public and vocal representative of the black community, recently standing alongside Baltimore City State Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who filed charges against police officers in the controversial death of Freddie Gray—the man at center of the recent rioting and protests in Baltimore.

Dolezal's mother, Ruthanne Dolezal, says that she doesn't understand why her daughter began to "disguise herself"—something she believes began after she and her husband adopted four African-American children.

It's very sad that Rachel has not just been herself. Her effectiveness in the causes of the African-American community would have been so much more viable, and she would have been more effective, if she had just been honest with everybody

Rachel has sidestepped the questions surrounding her racial identity, citing family issues over alleged abuse.

Officials are currently investigating whether Dolezal violated any city policies.

[via CNN]