"I Identify As Black:" Rachel Dolezal Breaks Silence On "Today Show"

Rachel Dolezal, the embattled former president of the NAACP’s Spokane, Washington chapter, who is accused of lying about her race, told NBC’s Today show this morning: “I did feel at some point, I would need to address the complexity of my identity,” reports The Washington Post.

But one thing for certain? “I identify as Black,” she said in her first interview since her racial identity kicked off a rousing national debate about race last week.

From The Washington Post:

She never corrected a local news report that identified her as a black woman, for instance, she said, “because it’s more complex than being true or false.”

“I don’t see why they’re in such a rush to whitewash the work that I have done and who I am and how I have identified,” she said Tuesday. The timing of the revelation, she said, “was a shock. I mean, wow.”

But, she noted of her racial identity: “I’ve had to answer a lot of questions throughout my life.”

What do you think? Does she need to answer more questions?

SOURCE: The Washington Post | PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter

Watch Roland Martin, Dr. Jeff Gardere and the NewsOne Now Straight Talk Panel discuss Rachel Dolezal’s interview on the Today Show in the video clip below.

Be sure to watch “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 9 a.m. EST on TV One.

SEE ALSO:

“This Is Not About Me:” Rachel Dolezal Resigns As Spokane NAACP President

NAACP Postpones Meeting To Address Rachel Dolezal Controversy