Human rights group petitions against Dolezal visit
A local human rights group has started a petition to stop
US race activist Rachel Dolezal from speaking at a South African
anti-racism event.
Dolezal, who is known for identifying as being black despite being born white, is expected to visit the country to talk about her experience. She is expected in the country within the next eight days.
In 2015, Dolezal was accused of deception after her parents revealed she was white. Dolezal subsequently resigned as head of a local branch of an anti-racism organisation in the US.
She is scheduled to attend the inaugural event of the group Quest for Non Racial South African Society Dialogue (QfNRSASD), which promotes racial harmony among South Africans.
But civil society group Understanding Decolonization and Cultural Appropriation has now started a petition to stop Dolezal from speaking at the event. The petition already has over 50 signatures.
"Offensive is not a strong enough word. In this country we are still unpacking white supremacy and its impact and how violent it can be. This is definitely not one of the people we would want to talk to us about racial identities," says founder Yanisha Teelock.