Rachel Dolezal’s upcoming Netflix doco sparks major backlash on social media

IT HASN’T even aired yet, but this documentary is already causing a social media storm, with calls from critics to boycott the Netflix film.

‘The Rachel Divide’ has copped social media backlash before it has even premiered.

A NEW Netflix documentary is causing huge controversy on social media before it has even aired.

Titled The Rachel Divide, it focuses on Rachel Dolezal. If that name rings a bell, she made headlines in 2015 as the white activist who pretended to be black throughout her adult life. She was head of a leading African-American advocacy group, and was forced to resign from that position after she was “outed” as a white woman.

Rachel Dolezal’s parents say they are white. But Rachel identifies as black. Picture: New York Post

The program explores the 40-year-old’s life since those revelations came out as well as how she portrayed herself as African-American for years, despite being born white. It also talks to her sons and adopted sister Esther Dolezal.

But social media users are criticising the streaming service for giving Dolezal a spotlight.

“At the end of the day, #RachelDolezal was able to secure a Netflix special because of her white privilege,” wrote one Twitter user on Thursday.

Hey @Netflix,
Rachel Dolezal doesn't need a documentary streamed on your site. She's fraudulent and problematic. Why don't you take all that money and put it towards projects made by real black women?

— Breniecia (@LuxePosh) March 7, 2018

“It’s VERY important that we DO NOT watch @netflix #RachelDolezal doc,” chimed another. “We can’t give validity to her ‘plight’ ... even if you want to hate watch, it would ultimately justify Netflix giving her a voice. She could’ve been an ally without appropriating. Do better.”

“Sick to death of #RachelDolezal and apparently her kid is too,” added a Twitter user. “I understand that the documentary is a way to ‘explore the conversation’ … but is this a ‘transracism’ and conversation we need to have?”

Della Montgomery-Riggins, Charles Thornton and Rachel Dolezal link arms and sing ‘We Shall Overcome’ at a rally in Washington in March 2015.

Dolezal’s teenage son Franklin, who is African-American, is also seen openly criticising his mother for seemingly embracing the growing media attention for her questionable behaviour.

“I really do not want to focus on this for the rest of my life,” he said in the clip. “Why don’t you just let it go away? ... This is going to affect more than just your life.”

He then says to the camera, “I resent some of her choices and I resent some of the words she’s spoken in interviews ... The more that I hear about it, the more that I talk to people about it, the more that it drains me.”

I feel so bad for Rachel Dolezal's son, in that Netflix teaser. This woman is raising black children, and essentially causing them undue stress by adding her whole media circus around her racial fetishization. She should've faded into the background and let her kids be kids.

— Raven (@theravenmonroe) March 8, 2018

The Rachel Divide, which is executive produced by Academy Award-winner Ross Williams, will premiere at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival on April 18.

The film will be available for streaming from April 27.