Tough time for Rachel Dolezal at UJ
Controversial American race activist Rachel Dolezal has been taken to task by South African students over her self-imposed racial re-classification.
Dolezal, who is known for identifying as black despite being born white, was a keynote speaker on race at the University of Johannesburg last night.
While the media were invited to the event, all guests were under strict instructions not to record Dolezal's talk or tweet her views.
Most students at the talk felt Dolezal's "transracial" argument was deeply flawed, saying she flip-flopped between black and white whenever it suited her.
"It is not shocking that the first person to be globally recognised as a transracial is actually a white women. For me it speaks to the privilege that you have as a white person," one student said.
Another questioned Dolezal's motives, trying to teach black students about their "blackness."
"She is taking our lived experiences and making it her own in a twisted and problematic way."
However, there were some who found Dolezal's views insightful and thought-provoking.
"The question with all of us - and that is what is making it so uncomfortable - is that now you not only have to think about who you are but also who you want to be," a student told Jacaranda FM News.
In June 2015, Dolezal came to media attention when her Caucasian parents stated publicly that Dolezal is a white woman claiming to be black.
Their statement followed Dolezal's reports to police and local news media that she had been the victim of nine hate crimes. However, a subsequent police investigation did not support Dolezal's allegations of hate crimes.