Rachel Dolezal has finally admitted what many had long suspected: she is a white woman who was born to white parents.
The admission by the former leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Spokane, Washington, who resigned after becoming the subject of an intensive nationwide conversation about race and identity politics, came after repeated questioning on Monday by the hosts of The Real, a daytime talk show.
"I acknowledge that I was biologically born white to white parents, but I identify as black," she said, after asking the hosts, "Why not give me the right to identify, how I identify? I think we're all entitled to be exactly who we are and to identify as such."
"I think it's kind of hard because you're not black," one of the show's moderators said in response. "So when you identify with it, there's a disconnect... You weren't born black, so when you say you're black, it makes it hard for people to understand where you're coming from."
Monday's admission appeared to be the first time Dolezal said she was white.
The speculation over Dolezal's race began in June when her parents told the press that she was, in fact, Caucasian.
"Our daughter is Caucasian" say parents of Spokane NAACP President Rachel Dolezal. pic.twitter.com/6VHxm9v4Wt— Taylor Viydo (@KREMTaylor) June 11, 2015
Her parents showed the press photos of a pale woman with blonde hair, directly in contrast with Dolezal's notably darker skin and hair.
The photos led to questions over Dolezal's legitimacy as a civil-rights activist and leader, as she had made a career over a black identity that many then said was false. In addition to her activism with the NAACP, Dolezal had attended Howard University and taught Africana studies at a local college.
Defending herself, Dolezal said she identified as black. Monday's interview is the first time Dolezal has publicly admitted her true heritage.