The Rachel Divide

The Rachel Divide is a perplexing and thought-provoking documentary released in 2018. It centers around the life and controversies of Rachel Dolezal, who made headlines around the world in 2015 when it was revealed that she, a white woman, had been passing as black for years. The film offers an intimate portrait of Dolezal, incorporating perspectives from her friends, her enemies, and from Dolezal herself. This controversial figure serves as the base, around which circulates a nuanced exploration of issues surrounding race, identity, and truth.

Directed by Laura Brownson, the movie sets out to look beyond the media scandal that followed Dolezal and attempt to explore the reality of her experiences. In the movie, Rachel Dolezal is not let off the hook nor is she vilified. Brownson approaches the subject with the detached gaze of a documentarian, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions.

The movie features interviews with Rachel Dolezal, her family including her sons Franklin and Izaiah Dolezal, and other people close to her. These interviews provide glimpses into Dolezal’s personal and professional life before, during, and after the scandal.

Rachel Dolezal, who was a former NAACP leader in Spokane, Washington, and champion of African-American rights, was exposed as being white by her own family. Coupled with the public outcry and backlash, Dolezal became a focal point of a broad, heated and critical debate about race and identity politics in America, thrusting her into the piranha-filled pool of American mass media.

Contrary to painting a one-dimensional portrait of Dolezal, the film digs deeper and explores the complexity of her life's story. It uncovers her troubled and fragmented upbringing, where she was raised by strict and religious white parents alongside four adopted black siblings. This insight enriches the viewers' understanding while adding a layer of complexity to the entire narrative.

One aspect where this movie shines is its inclusion of Dolezal’s children, specifically her eldest son, Franklin. The scenes involving him are some of the most powerful moments in the film. He provides an important perspective into Dolezal’s identity crisis and how it impacts not only her but her family as well. His earnest desire for normalcy and his struggles to deal with his mother’s choices give viewers a fresh and poignant perspective on the human experience.

What truly sets The Rachel Divide apart is that it does not shy away from the tough questions nor does it offer simple answers. It features various individuals discussing their views on Dolezal and the idea of racial fluidity. Included in the mix are academics, students, civil rights activists, and close friends of Dolezal herself who unequivocally believe in her Black identity.

However, what makes this documentary compelling is not the scandal but the internal discourse it inspires about race, individualism, and perceived reality. By highlighting Dolezal's personal journey, the film layers a narrative canvas with questions about how and why we identify with specific racial categories and what happens when those boundaries are tested or outrightly dismissed.

Another strong point of The Rachel Divide is the way it portrays the backlash and public controversy surrounding Dolezal. The movie does not whitewash the effects of her decisions and goes to considerable lengths to make it clear how severely Dolezal and her family were affected by the negative attention.

In its essence, The Rachel Divide is an examination of racial identity in contemporary America. It is a portrait of a woman who dared to defy societal norms of racial classification and the subsequent heated discourse it sparked. Rather than a shallow investigation of a public figure, this documentary endeavors to dig deeper, peeling back the layers of public perception to reveal the complex experiences that form the bedrock of Rachel Dolezal’s life.

Images, interviews, and encounters have been intricately weaved together to create a poignant documentary that will leave viewers with much to ponder regarding race, identity, and truth. The Rachel Divide dares its audience to go beyond headlines, pushing the boundaries of our understanding, and exploring the complexities of identifying oneself in a world of preconceived notions and societal expectations. It is these aspects that make The Rachel Divide a captivating, if controversial, viewing experience.