Updated: Is it About Race or Integrity? #AskRachel

by Kim D.

Update: It appears that the petition is no longer needed as breaking news reveals Rachel Dolezal has resigned as president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP. 

"It's Not About Race, It's About Integrity" is a new MoveOn.org petition aimed at removing Rachel Dolezal as Spokane's NAACP president. The petition only needs 750 signatures and is well on its way to achieving that goal. Once all signatures are collected, the petition will be sent to the mayor of Spokane, several news organizations, Congress, and President Barack Obama.

The petition, initiated by Kitara McClure, is presently calling for Dolezal to take a leave of absence until an investigation of her actions is resolved.

We do not feel that she is in a position to properly reflect the values of our diverse community or the Spokane chapter of the NAACP. The questions surrounding her integrity may discredit the work that has been previously done to better the movement of social justice and equality in our community. We would not like to see partnerships that have previously been built to be severed as organizations and their representatives distance themselves from the impact of the allegations against the President specifically. Although, we do not speak on behalf of all the members of the community, we share the feelings of a significant number. As she has become the face of the NAACP locally, we have no doubt that the current climate may cause people to question the overall credibility of the organization and it’s systems used to select officers and its members. We are saddened by the NAACP's statement to support dishonesty and failure to apologize or acknowledge the communities impacted.