Rihanna calls Rachel Dolezol 'hero,' faces online scorn
Rihanna is facing criticism online for her defence of disgraced civil rights activist Rachel Dolezal.
In an interview with journalist Lisa Robinson for a cover feature in this month's issue of Vanity Fair the pop singer described Dolezal as a hero.
"I think she was a bit of a hero, because she kind of flipped on society a little bit," Rihanna said. "Is it such a horrible thing that she pretended to be black? Black is a great thing, and I think she legit changed people's perspective a bit and woke people up."
Dolezal, the former head of the Spokane, Wash. branch of the NAACP, came under massive international scrutiny this June when it was discovered that she was born as a white woman, despite having spent years in prominent positions of authority in her local black community while publicly identifying as black.
Rihanna's comments have stirred up plenty of criticism online from people who do think it's a horrible thing that Dolezal pretended to be black.
The memes are out in full force.
Me, when I read Rihanna's comments on Rachel Dolezal <a href="https://t.co/px1UubgFPI">https://t.co/px1UubgFPI</a>
—@GugsMRT <a href="https://twitter.com/VanityFair">@VanityFair</a>: .<a href="https://twitter.com/rihanna">@RIhanna</a> on Rachel Dolezal: "I think she was a bit of a hero" <a href="http://t.co/gjHxogRY0b">http://t.co/gjHxogRY0b</a> <a href="http://t.co/IVHPZkpLbs">pic.twitter.com/IVHPZkpLbs</a>
—@_MrBrownleeRihanna praising Rachel Dolezal got me like.... <a href="http://t.co/rNRIMhBfw0">pic.twitter.com/rNRIMhBfw0</a>
—@ZamalisaRihanna calling Rachel Dolezal a hero. <a href="http://t.co/nrqFolYFii">pic.twitter.com/nrqFolYFii</a>
—@MajorPhilebritySome seem a little bit let down.
I love Rihanna probably more than I will love my own children, but calling Rachel Dolezal a hero? Think this is where me and RiRi part ways
—@OteghaUwagbaRihanna........wyd <a href="http://t.co/jdkx9TWom0">http://t.co/jdkx9TWom0</a>"
—@monaeistDID RIHANNA REALLY SAY RACHEL DOLEZAL IS A HERO??????? DID SHE REALLY??? RECEIPTS, PULL EM OUT NOW I NEED MY HEART BROKEN RIGHT NOW
—@xdemonwomanSome say they're done with the pop-star altogether.
Rihanna cancelled <a href="https://t.co/HtqSYQhM9Y">https://t.co/HtqSYQhM9Y</a>
—@welshkingsBut there are a few people supporting Rihanna online as well.
And just because someone has a different thought doesn't mean they are an enemy of the cause .
—@thaiNOMANSlandAnd it's got others wondering just what it takes to be a "hero" these days.
Rihanna called Rachel dolezal a hero 😡. I'm confused on her definition of a hero <a href="http://t.co/yMrOWC22F8">pic.twitter.com/yMrOWC22F8</a>
—@DeMarko_Gage