Parents say NAACP leader has lied about her racial identity

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – NAACP leaders have responded to questions about the racial identity of the woman who leads a local chapter in Washington state by noting that ethnicity is not a qualifying criterion for leadership in the organization.

Rachel Dolezal has led the Spokane, Washington, chapter of the African-American civil rights group for several years.

Her parents have said recently that their daughter is white but has been falsely portraying herself as black. Their public comments have triggered a national debate over race and ethnicity.

Ruthanne Dolezal says her daughter’s background is Czech, Swedish and German, with some Native American.

The NAACP says in a statement that it respects Dolezal’s privacy as she faces what they call a legal issue with her family.

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