Rachel Dolezal: I Was Born White

Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who posed as African American for years and headed a local chapter of the NAACP, admitted on Monday that she is white.

In an appearance on The Real, a regular panel discussion in the style of The View but with all women of color, Dolezal said she was “biologically born white.” It appears to be the first time Dolezal has conceded her race in public.

“You weren’t born black, so when you say you are black, it makes it hard for people to understand where you’re coming from,” said panelist Jeannie Mai.

“Right, and that’s why I said, I acknowledge that I was biologically born white to white parents, but I identify as black,” said Dolezal. The audience erupted into applause.

Dolezal is a civil rights activist who aroused national controversy for her choice to pass as black. She argued it was legitimate for her to identify as black, while critics accused her of cultural appropriation.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About the ‘Transracial’ NAACP Activist