THE RACHEL DIVIDE (2018)

Directed by Laura Brownson


Available to stream now on Netflix


For my very first review of a Netflix streaming film, I am looking at "The Rachel Divide", a fascinating yet challenging documentary by Laura Brownson, which examines the life of Rachel Dolezal, one of the most controversial and polarizing figures to have emerged in this new century.

Her shocking story involves her rising in a short period of time to become the president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP but was forced to resign when it was discovered that she was actually born a blond Caucasian woman while using wigs and tanning solutions to alter her appearance. Dolezal has insisted that she wasn't trying to deceive anyone but that she simply has always identified as a black woman and decided finally to live her life publicly as one.

The reaction to this bewildering confession, particularly by African-Americans, was not surprisingly filled with outrage and hostility.  "The Rachel Divide" tries to offer a fair and balanced look at Dolezal as she continuously tries to explain herself to anyone who will listen. Yet considering the long, complicated history of race in America, it's impossible for this clearly intelligent and passionate woman to not come across at times as a little unstable and insensitive.

After a reporter essentially outs Dolezal as a white woman during a live 2015 television interview, we are shown the swift aftermath with an explosion of media coverage and angry opinions about what she had done. The film begins some time later after she has been dismissed as a teacher of African studies at Eastern Washington University and now struggles to find employment with braiding hair currently her main source of income.

With no one willing to hire her due to the scandal, this has also impacted the lives of the two young men Dolezal is raising; her adopted brother, Izaiah who she obtained legal guardianship from her parents in 2010 when he was sixteen and her biological son, Franklin from a previous marriage. It's heartbreaking as they reveal their loving support yet painful frustration with their mother's choices and we see how their lives have suffered from the fallout.

We follow Dolezal as she pursues several media outlets as an opportunity to tell her story while working on a memoir that will be called, "In Full Color: Finding My Place in a Black and White World" which details her experiences with racial identity. While she had publicly acknowledged that Albert Wilkerson, an African-American man, was her "step-father", the truth was that her biological parents were both white and came forward to tell the truth.

But their reason for coming forward may have been less about candor and more about discrediting their estranged daughter. The family had adapted four African-American children and their daughter, Esther has accused their biological son, Joshua of sexually abusing her as a child. Rachel supported her sister's claims, offering to testify against her brother who she said had abused her as well. There were also accusations that the parents had been psychologically abusive to all of the children. However, when Rachel's story became public, she was now seen as an unreliable witness.

The director has not taken any sides on this issue and allowed Dolezal free reign to her story. But she has not ignored the rumbling vocal opposition to Dolezal with many people speaking critically of her even being considered "transracial". What I see as the major problem to why so many are upset with her claim is that there is a clear lack of honesty and transparency. Even to this day, Dolezal has only halfheartedly admitted to her race deception, usually when she is cornered and too exhausted to keep spinning her wheels. If she would simply admit that she is a white woman who has deeply connected to the historic struggle of African-Americans and wants to be a part to do whatever she can to help, I think much of the harsh criticism may soften.

We see this in the film as Dolezal is taking questions during a speaking engagement at a college. She is taken to task by some African-American women in the audience by questioning how can she claim to be a black woman without having to endure any of the many hardships and indignities that come with being one in this world. Dolezal apologizes sincerely yet explains she can't stop being who sees herself to be. There seems to be some understanding, maybe because she appears to finally hear their concerns.

"The Rachel Divide" concludes with Dolezal legally changing her name to an African-sounding creation. Some may view this as delusional yet perhaps she truly believes that this attempt at a clean slate will help leave her troubled past behind. She might be able to start again with the hope of a new life, finally living as her authentic self on her own terms.