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You are here: Home / Civil Rights / Racial Justice / Post-racial America / Where the White Women At?

Where the White Women At?

by John Cole|  June 11, 201510:05 pm| 124 Comments

This post is in: Post-racial America

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Here, apparently:

Controversy is swirling around one of the Inland Northwest’s most prominent civil rights activists, with family members of Rachel Dolezal saying the local leader of the NCAAP has been falsely portraying herself as black for years.

Dolezal, 37, avoided answering questions directly about her race and ethnicity Thursday, saying, “I feel like I owe my executive committee a conversation” before engaging in a broader discussion with the community about what she described as a “multi-layered” issue.

“That question is not as easy as it seems,” she said after being contacted at Eastern Washington University, where she’s a part-time professor in the Africana Studies Program. “There’s a lot of complexities … and I don’t know that everyone would understand that.”

Later, in an apparent reference to studies tracing the scientific origins of human life to Africa, Dolezal added: “We’re all from the African continent.”

Dolezal is credited with re-energizing the Spokane chapter of the NAACP. She also serves as chairwoman of the city’s Office of Police Ombudsman Commission, where she identified herself as white, black and American Indian in her application for the volunteer appointment, and previously was education director for the Human Rights Institute in Coeur d’Alene.

In recent days, questions have arisen about her background and her numerous complaints to police of harassment. Members of her family are challenging her very identity, saying she has misrepresented major portions of her life.

Dolezal’s mother, Ruthanne Dolezal, said Thursday by phone from her home in Northwest Montana that she has had no contact with her daughter in years. She said her daughter began to “disguise herself” in 2006 or 2007, after the family had adopted four African-American children and Rachel Dolezal had shown an interest in portrait art.

“It’s very sad that Rachel has not just been herself,” Ruthanne Dolezal said. “Her effectiveness in the causes of the African-American community would have been so much more viable, and she would have been more effective if she had just been honest with everybody.”

This is… awkward.

And no, Chet Haze, you still can’t use the N bomb.

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Reader Interactions

124Comments

  1. 1.

    gogol's wife

    June 11, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    Her last name is Czech. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

  2. 2.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Can I threadjack? Because the dysfunction of my bereaved family has me completely fucking floored right now.

    I’ve already told the tale of my late brother’s estranged wife showing up at his house with a U-Haul less than 6 hours after his death (he died inside the house, BTW, in home hospice). Now, come to find out, said estranged wife has jetted off to New York with her boyfriend, leaving my 9-year-old niece with the same family that my 14-year-old niece is living with.

    Did I mention that my mother and I are both here in town and she could have stayed with us? Or with my brother’s girlfriend? But, nope, she couldn’t even fucking ask. And I have to leave on Saturday.

    Seriously — the father of your children dies and you leave them behind to jet off to New York? What the everloving fuck is wrong with this woman?

  3. 3.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Later, in an apparent reference to studies tracing the scientific origins of human life to Africa, Dolezal added: “We’re all from the African continent.”

    Man, that is some world-class backpedaling right there.

  4. 4.

    ruemara

    June 11, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    I’m finding this wicked funny. She’s not the first person of caucasian I’ve had suddenly acquire a more exotic heritage. Meh, she didn’t do any harm, and she did a lot of good. Unlike Miley and Iggy, her cultural appropriation extravaganza also had a level of service to an underserved populace. Besides, she does microbraids and I refuse to do that. My level of blackness is hovering at taupe, compared to her. Once in a while I get down to a burnt sienna status and listen to classic Motown. There’s a lot of blackness I’m not using and she can have it.

  5. 5.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    That is seriously fucked up. But more ammunition for a custody hearing, should one come up in the future.

    Anyway, my condolences on your being at the edge of a black hole of family dysfunctionality.

  6. 6.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 10:28 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    I think I left off one crucial detail:

    His memorial service is tomorrow.

  7. 7.

    Pogonip

    June 11, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    When the music stops, everyone change ethnic groups!

  8. 8.

    ruemara

    June 11, 2015 at 10:31 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): I am so sorry this is happening to you, the rest of the family and those children in particular. She seems to be a callous, awful person. Is there any way to get her to relinquish custody to someone who actually gives a damn?

    @Pogonip: There are too many times when I’d try this, just to see if things can get better for me. Don’t even joke.

  9. 9.

    Davebo

    June 11, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    I almost hate to ask but where was the 14 year old staying and why? Why wasn’t she with you from the beginning?

    I only ask because of my own fairly recent loss that didn’t involve children.

  10. 10.

    Origuy

    June 11, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    For Amir, a cartoon from the Toronto Globe and Mail about the volcano in Malaysia.

  11. 11.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    Gee, why would she go to New York when she knows she has to be back tomorrow for the—

    Oh, hell, I can’t even type it with a straight face.

  12. 12.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    @Origuy:

    Okay, I was prepared to be underwhelmed, but that was very funny.

  13. 13.

    EZSmirkzz

    June 11, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    Hang in there kiddo.

    I think at this point all you can do is reach out and console your nieces, letting them know that you love them, and that their father loved them, and yes, at one time their father loved their mother too. Whatever emotional turmoil you are going through at the moment has to be kept in context with what the children are experiencing. Seems to me that all you can do at the moment is be a safe harbor for them, and your family. And please, don’t forget yourself in all of this either.

    You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I urge you to become a positive experience for those around you in their and your time of sorrow.

    Peace.

  14. 14.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    @ruemara:

    My oldest brother really wants custody, but since EW has complained that we’re plotting to steal her children, she’ll probably put up a fight just to be an asshole.

    @Davebo:

    14-year-old is living with her best friend’s family. We aren’t sure if they have any clue how bad EW is or if they’re good people who are trying to shield the 14YO from EW. All we know is that the 9-year-old is currently there.

    Part of the reason this may have happened is that apparently the 14YO threw a raging party while her mom was out for the night. I suspect the plan was to leave the 14YO and 9YO home alone, but the party put an end to that plan.

  15. 15.

    rikyrah

    June 11, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    I thought that folks were playing.
    This is CRAZY!!!
    She is going to write a book.
    My Life As A Black Woman

  16. 16.

    rikyrah

    June 11, 2015 at 10:47 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):
    Sorry about the family drama.
    Let his children know that you love them, and are there for them.

  17. 17.

    sharl

    June 11, 2015 at 10:48 pm

    Zandar’s stalker-troll will be pleased to know that Z is not taking this well:

    Zandar ‏@ZandarVTS

    Zandar passed away after reading this. This is Ghost Zandar.

    It’s very cold here.

    Rachel Dolezal told an interviewer she sometimes stops white moms of black daughters on the street to offer help with their kids’ hair.

  18. 18.

    Aleta

    June 11, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): whew. Perhaps does this give you a hard-to-deny reason to call the caretaker of your niece(s) and propose a time to pick them up on Friday for a family gathering before the service, and a time on Saturday morning for a goodbye breakfast ? One might get refused , but harder to deny both ?

  19. 19.

    mtmofo

    June 11, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    Rachel’s dad is Larry Dolezal, a former Lincoln County Commissioner. Lincoln County is in the further NW corner of Montana and is very, very red. Logging, mining and at EPA Super Fund site of a former vermiculite processing plant, think asbestosis.

    http://www2.epa.gov/region8/background-libby-asbestos-site

  20. 20.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    Oh, she was already disinvited from the memorial. I’m assuming that was one of the reasons she gave for why she left the 9YO with friends instead of with us.

    @EZSmirkzz:

    Well, it’s a little easier since at least we know for sure she won’t be there. I’m worried that the 14YO’s older sister may flake on the memorial, so I’ve already reached out and said I can give them a ride if needed and got a maybe.

    It’s just frustrating since I’m headed back to the other side of the country on Saturday and can’t do much except do my best to stay in touch by text and/or email.

  21. 21.

    askew

    June 11, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    This story has officially blown my mind. How bizarre.

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    I am so sorry for all the family drama. All you can do is be there for your nieces. They will remember those who cared about them in their time of need and those who are assholes like the ex-wife.

  22. 22.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 11, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    Wow. I have no words, certainly no advice, just a metric shit-ton of sympathy not only for the loss of your brother but for the horrible behavior of your ex-sister-in-law.

    As Steep intimated, you should probably document every single scintilla of this fustercluck in case there is a custody hearing down the road. In the meantime, please PLEASE take good care of yourself even as you grieve your brother and try to be there for your mom and nieces. You know we love you and are here for whatever support you ask for.

  23. 23.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    In other news, I am bummed that Battle Creek was canceled by CBS. It started a little slow, but it improved by leaps and bounds. Dean Winters (“mayhem” guy from the Allstate ads) was great in it, and he deserves a breakout hit.

    Well, I guess I’ll hang this on the wall of video disappointment next to The Good Guys and Human Target.

  24. 24.

    TaMara (BHF)

    June 11, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): I’m so sorry. EW = Evil Witch? I hope that knowing you, your mother and your older brother love and want them will help the in the days ahead.

  25. 25.

    Brachiator

    June 11, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Apparently this woman unleashed her total inner a$$hole.

  26. 26.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 10:57 pm

    @askew:

    That makes it even more complicated — they never got around to getting divorced, so she is still his wife. We were desperately trying to get an immediate decree passed last Friday, but my brother died over the weekend, so legally she is still his wife. It’s a complete clusterfuck.

    At least the memorial might not be a total disaster tomorrow. Assuming we can get the kids there, at least.

  27. 27.

    NotMax

    June 11, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    @Mnemosyne

    Not at all trying to be harsh, but there’s not a much more muted way to put it.

    Your heart is in the right place, but at some point you have to step back and internalize that her upbringing is not your job (at least not yet). By that I don’t mean to intimate it should not be your concern, but that’s a whole different universe of status.

    Offer to help, yes. Tell her you’re there for her, of course.

    Certainly seems as if there is no love lost between you and the other lady, so it shouldn’t be a shock when you aren’t asked or consulted.

    N.B.: all the above based solely on posts of your I’ve seen here., without fuller knowledge of family dynamics and history, so please take that into account.

    (Donning cast iron collar to ameliorate having my head bitten off.)

  28. 28.

    sharl

    June 11, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): I’m so sorry that all this crap is coming down own those kids after they lost their dad. Its good you have been there for them, and I think they’re old enough to remember long after this that someone cared about them when they desperately needed the caring.

    I’ll disengage my nonbeliever status for a moment and say Bless You, for all you’ve done.

  29. 29.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    @Brachiator:

    Oh, this has nothing to do with grief. She’s always been like this. My internet diagnosis is NPD (narcissistic personality disorder), but obviously no one knows for sure. But it does seem to fit her to a tee. Seriously, even if you hate your spouse, do you genuinely not have any understanding that maybe his children are upset that he died?

  30. 30.

    PhoenixRising

    June 11, 2015 at 11:03 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): What’s the plan for your nieces? That their mother is going to care for them? Was she caring for them before? That all sounds kinda nutty, so I’m hoping the answer is no, they were in your brother’s custody. And also what state is this?

    /okay, back in my own lane…/

    WTF, white lady claimed to be black? This story raises a number of issues. Her parents adopted black siblings, so now she’s black? Which is separate from the question of the 3+ instances of her being the only witness to an act of racism…that seems potentialy sketchy.

    How you identify racially is a personal topic, but whether you’re fabricating incidents of racial bias is a public one.

  31. 31.

    sharl

    June 11, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    OT (on all counts): via her husband, Wonkette’s Editrix had her baby girl. Apparently baby Donna’s response to contractions was to say ‘eff you, it’s comfy here and I ain’t moving’. So they did a C-section. Everyone seems to be doing well.

  32. 32.

    esc

    June 11, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): My husband’s mother left his teenage sister home with their adult brother for about a month to audition new husbands just a few months after her husband/their father died. Over Christmas no less. I would say she’d make a great friend for EW but apparently she’s a fugitive in South America now.

    It is my everlasting regret that we weren’t able to get my sister in law away from her mother. I hope your family can do more, but it is terribly difficult to get custody away from someone who doesn’t want to give it up. If you get any opportunity, seize it. We missed a very narrow window, and I still feel awful about it.

  33. 33.

    scav

    June 11, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    @sharl: Ummm, does that sort of stopping others in the street behavior and spamming advice just sort of scream bone-deep entitlement? Golly.

  34. 34.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    @NotMax:

    Child Protective Services has been called on this woman more than once, because she has a habit of leaving her kids alone to fend for themselves. Not just overnight, but for days at a time. So, yes, it is our business as a family, because we’re hoping to take custody of her minor kids if at all possible.

    However, I am careful not to express any of these opinions in front of her children or mention what we hope to do. It’s extremely difficult to get custody from a biological parent and we will probably fail, so I don’t want to get their hopes up.

  35. 35.

    PhoenixRising

    June 11, 2015 at 11:06 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): OFFS. Crazy as she is, she’s their custodial parent and they’re stuck with that. Unless the state takes them from her, and then your family will be called upon by the public to adopt them. (sad truth)

    You can offer support to both girls, knowing that most likely they will not be in a position to accept more from you. Keep in touch. Your consistent presence will make a difference. Kids are resilient and can thrive despite a lot of unimaginable crap, as long as they know that one person loves and cares for them.

    I am so sorry this has happened to your family.

  36. 36.

    mai naem mobile

    June 11, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): does she give a crap about this kid or is this all about social security survivors benefits for the kid?

  37. 37.

    Waldo

    June 11, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    I’d pay to see the white NAACP lady debate Dave Chappell’s black Klansmen. For charity, of course.

  38. 38.

    Brachiator

    June 11, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    @ruemara:

    “It’s a painful thing to talk about my childhood,” she paused as she looked down into her hands. “I kind of don’t talk about it much.”

    From a February interview. Now we know why. A sad fraud. I want to say that I don’t cut her any slack, but truth is I didn’t know much about her and don’t much care. However I don’t give her points for good intentions. Some black people have passed for white; she has passed for black. Just part of the craziness of America.

  39. 39.

    Tenar Darell

    June 11, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Wait, what? Gonna read the thread again. Oookay, still do not get. Seriously? Seriously? A book!? WTF is this, movie plot world?

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):
    Sorry for your loss and the accompanying mishegaas. I’m sending you and your Mom deep, cleansing breaths and a full load of patience.

  40. 40.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 11, 2015 at 11:12 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): Legally, that pretty much sews things up. It may be, and sounds like it is, all kinds of fucked up, but she is his widow. The kids are hers, and fighting that would be a vicious up-hill battle.

  41. 41.

    askew

    June 11, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    Wow, I thought I was the only one who even heard of The Good Guys. Man, I loved that show. Still watch it on Netflix. I missed Battle Creek’s run the first time around but I refuse to pay CBS for it and they don’t seem to put their shows on Netflix/Amazon Prime for streaming.

  42. 42.

    Brachiator

    June 11, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): I was being facetious. I don’t know whether she really hated her husband, or if that might just be a lame excuse. But she is certainly self absorbed. This is very sad since it may always be a burden for your niece. The best you can do is try to be there for your niece as much as you can. I know this may compound the pain of your recent loss, and I hope there are people in your life who can help you deal with this challenge.

  43. 43.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    @PhoenixRising:

    There are three minors. The 16YO boy was living with his dad (my late brother). The 14YO girl has been living with her BFF’s family for some months — no one seems quite sure how long. The 9YO was living with another friend’s family until the friend couldn’t do it anymore and called her dad to come pick her up. Mom had/has custody (unofficial since they didn’t want to go to court) and my brother was diagnosed with lung cancer in November, so he wasn’t as involved as he normally would have been. Apparently, it’s fine in Florida to pawn your kids off on friends as long as they’re not actively neglected or abused.

    I feel worst for the 16YO — he’s going back to live with his mother expressly because he’s worried about his sisters, which should not be his responsibility. And when I say “live with his mother,” we all know that means “live in whatever temporary housing his mother finds for them while she lives with her boyfriend who doesn’t like kids.” But we can’t prove it, or at least not well enough to lose her parental rights. So we’re stuck, and so is he. It’s infuriating.

  44. 44.

    lamh36

    June 11, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    @ruemara: oh, it’s creepily hilarious. The woman is straight up cray cray, and reading some of her facebook posts and such and some of her social media postings and this goes WAY beyond just “hey let’s play black”.

    The woman went DEEP UNDERCOVER, so much so, she lost it.

    Apparently according to her parents, she has been claiming her adopted African brothers (her parents adopted African children) as her sons!

    I mean good deeds are good, but the lie is just wow.

    BTW, I am LMBAO at twitter right now as people on Black twitter are catching up to this what’s going on.

    ETA: Pic from her FB.. captioned “Me, my son and my dad”!!!!

    https://twitter.com/SheSeauxSaditty/status/609197942595960832/photo/1

  45. 45.

    the Conster

    June 11, 2015 at 11:19 pm

    You gotta give her some credit for pulling this off. That’s some serious self-deception. The girl ain’t right.

  46. 46.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    @mai naem mobile:

    Given that she visited the Social Security office before she left for New York, what do you think?

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Yes, we know. We’re documenting as best we can with the help of a local lawyer and are basically hoping she eventually gets desperate enough for money that she’ll voluntarily sell custody to my brother, sick as that sounds. But it’s a long shot, and we know it.

  47. 47.

    Valdivia

    June 11, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): I am so sorry that you’re going through this, to have to deal with this nightmarish situation in the middle of your grief. However the legal situation gets resolved, I hope you get to be there for those girls it sounds like they will need it.

  48. 48.

    PhoenixRising

    June 11, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): Two things in that are good.

    1) Florida. It’s not nearly as nutty, family law wise, as LA, which is where I thought you were. Broadly, it’s not impossible for family to get physical custody from a neglectful parent in FL. Highly unlikely and you’d need to be financially prepared for multiple hearings. If you decide as a family to go ahead with pressing for custody, please ask for help in finding a pit bull of an asshole of a lawyer.

    2) There is an older family member present to protect your niece from mom’s boyfriend.

    Mom’s boyfriend, statistically speaking, is the most dangerous man in the lower 48. His odds of being neglectful and unwilling to use ‘his money’ to meet material needs are high, and the chances he’s also an abusive freak are spiked compared to both Dad and mom’s new husband put together.

    Your nephew shouldn’t have to play that role, but these are the cards they drew.

    They are lucky to have you, because you can make sure they aren’t being abused or neglected…or if they are, that it’s reported quickly…so your other brother can offer to take care of them.

  49. 49.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    @TaMara (BHF):

    “Estranged wife.”

  50. 50.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 11, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): Okay. I wasn’t trying to be a Debbie Downer. It is good that you are getting legal advice already, and I will defer to your actual lawyer and shut up about any legal stuff now. My condolences again.

  51. 51.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    Is the 14YO the one who was throwing so much ’tude on your last visit?

  52. 52.

    opiejeanne

    June 11, 2015 at 11:31 pm

    @askew: I loved Good Guys too. We were very disappointed when it was cancelled, and now we are again with losing both Battle Creek and the other one with Rainn Wilson called Backstrom.

  53. 53.

    Morzer

    June 11, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    Based on the story of Ms Dolezal, I feel confident that I can now declare myself of aquatic race because I really like sushi. Actually, I am of Italian-Aquatic heritage because of my lifelong relationship with pizza. No, on third review, coffee has provided most of my bloodstream for the last few decades, so I am going to have run with Caffeinate-Italian-Aquatic as my identity. All of which leaves me a member of the CIA and means that I am probably spying on my own internet activity by typing this.

  54. 54.

    PhoenixRising

    June 11, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    Seconded. You have a lawyer and the teens have your number, and that’s going to be enough.

    Again, condolences. Horrible situation.

  55. 55.

    Tree With Water

    June 11, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Here’s a bad haircut story everyone can enjoy:

    By Marty Graham

    SAN DIEGO, June 11 (Reuters) – A San Diego judge sentenced a barber on Thursday to 10 years in prison for inexplicably slashing a customer’s throat during a haircut and shave before pedaling away on his bike.

  56. 56.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    @PhoenixRising:

    I got an email from the lawyer just now (don’t worry, she’s a shark), so I should probably shut up with details now, just in case. But we are pursuing legal action even with the knowledge that it’s going to be a tough road.

  57. 57.

    NotMax

    June 11, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    @Tree With Water

    There’s a Fleet Street in San Diego?

  58. 58.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    June 11, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    @Steeplejack (phone):

    That was the 19YO, who is beyond our jurisdiction, and possibly beyond our help at this point. But that’s a whole other story for another night. Long day tomorrow with memorial prep, so good night to all y’all.

  59. 59.

    El Caganer

    June 11, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    I guess if I lived somewhere around where this is taking place, I’d probably be more concerned (of course, I’d probably know more about it, too). But frankly, living on the east coast and only seeing this sketch of the story, I think it’s fucking hilarious.

  60. 60.

    ruemara

    June 11, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    The more I read of this woman, the more I know she has problems.

  61. 61.

    Valdivia

    June 11, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    @Tree With Water: Well that’s a whole new perspective on bad haircuts right there.

  62. 62.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 11, 2015 at 11:41 pm

    @Tree With Water: Thanks for posting that. I have a haircut appointment tomorrow.

  63. 63.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 11, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    @NotMax: FTW

  64. 64.

    Fair Economist

    June 11, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    Seriously — the father of your children dies and you leave them behind to jet off to New York? What the everloving fuck is wrong with this woman?

    I think some threadjacking is excusable. Sorry you’re having to go through this and even sorrier your niece does. But, if she’s that much of a flake, you’ve got better chances of being able to arrange alternate parenting arrangements.

  65. 65.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 11:45 pm

    @opiejeanne:

    [. . .] losing both Battle Creek and the other one with Rainn Wilson called Backstrom.

    Damn it! I hadn’t heard Backstrom. Another show that started a little slow and got much, much better. I guess they weren’t cookie-cutter enough.

  66. 66.

    Joey Maloney

    June 11, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    @rikyrah: I guess Black Like Me was already taken.

  67. 67.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Go with God, my friend. I got re-enraged this morning when I looked in the mirror and thought that it has been exactly a week since I got my epically bad haircut. This one may take longer than usual to grow out of.

  68. 68.

    opiejeanne

    June 11, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    @Steeplejack: I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I heard about Backstrom first, right after the season finale, and then I looked up Battle Creek because I had a sneaking suspicion that it had met the same fate.

    I’ve been reading the Harry Bosch books and I envision Dean Winters as Bosch. It amuses me to hear his voice speaking the lines from the books.

  69. 69.

    MattR

    June 11, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): My condolences and good luck

    @Steeplejack: I was most annoyed by the cancellation of Forever, though I am also not sure how much longer that premise would work. Not really sure where they could have gone after season 2 or 3, but would have liked to see what they tried.

    @Steeplejack: One of the advantages of working from home is I can always “fix” a haircut by buzzing it short and throwing on a hat until it grows out a bit.

  70. 70.

    Valdivia

    June 11, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    @Steeplejack: I was just going to say maybe knowing you are at least alive would make you feel better about your haircut?

    @Omnes Omnibus: if there is such a thing as armour for the neck may I recommend you considere taking that.

  71. 71.

    Steeplejack

    June 11, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    @rikyrah:

    I see a Madea movie in here somewhere. Eh, maybe not. LOL.

  72. 72.

    opiejeanne

    June 11, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    @Steeplejack: And I have to admit to being a little on the wrong side of things because I thought Winters was the intended star of Battle Creek, but the prettyboy FBI agent was listed first in the credits.

    They sort of wasted Kal Penn, I thought.

  73. 73.

    opiejeanne

    June 11, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): Good luck. Keeping you in my thoughts.

    What crapulent behavior by EW.

  74. 74.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 11, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    @Valdivia: This will be my third haircut with this woman. The first two were successes. Her prices are reasonable and she does the shampoo after the cut. Plus hot towel and shoulder massage.

    @Steeplejack: Bear up, old bean.

    ETA: How often do you get your hair cut? This will be my second this year.

  75. 75.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 12:02 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Oh forget about the armour then, if there is a hot towel and a massage I think you’re safe.

  76. 76.

    PhoenixRising

    June 12, 2015 at 12:03 am

    @efgoldman: yeah, that kinda jumped out at me too.

    Did he not *try* to explain the throat-slashing, or was the explanation judged inadequate? Inquiring minds…are going to sleep either way, but I’m curious.

  77. 77.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:05 am

    @opiejeanne:

    I could see Dean Winters as Harry Bosch.

    He had a pretty good story arc on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (a show I have been hate-watching in the ubiquitous reruns) a few years ago as an undercover cop who may or may not have gone over to the dark side. Then he was Olivia Benson’s love interest for a while before being quietly shown the door.

  78. 78.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 12:12 am

    @Steeplejack: Have you seen the Amazon version of Bosch? It’s very good I thought, not having read the books though.

  79. 79.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:14 am

    @MattR:

    I was most annoyed by the cancellation of Forever [. . .].

    Jesus Christ, you people are breaking my balls here! I guess I should take up macramé to fill the empty winter evenings ahead.

    I came to Forever in midseason and did think it was a bit cookie-cutter, but I liked the actors and I wanted to see what they did with basically the exact same premise as a series that ran 10 or 15 years ago. I am blanking on the name, but when I mentioned it here before the other person who had seen it reminded me of the name.

    Okay, so for network drama I am down to Elementary, Person of Interest, Grimm, Agents of SHIELD and The Blacklist (now hate-watching except for James Spader). Someone want to nuke any of those for me?

  80. 80.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:18 am

    @MattR:

    I also work from home, so I my shame is minimized, but this is like one of the top five bad haircuts I have ever gotten. It’s like an unsuccessful prototype of Gibbs’s haircut on NCIS.

  81. 81.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:22 am

    @opiejeanne:

    Well, I thought it was clear (from the actual show, not the credits) that they were costars. And, yeah, the show had a lot of unexplored space to open up and use the supporting cast, which seemed strong to me.

    I guess the bottom line for me was: “Jeez, this is Vince fucking Gilligan! Vince Breaking Bad Gilligan. You’ve got to give him some time to ramp up.” [Shakes fist at CBS suits.]

  82. 82.

    Brachiator

    June 12, 2015 at 12:26 am

    @Tree With Water: Was the barber’s name Sweeney Todd?

  83. 83.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:27 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    My hair needs to be cut about every seven weeks, but I always procrastinate and it ends up being about every 10 weeks. The one last week was my first since March 24.

  84. 84.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:29 am

    @Valdivia:

    I’ve heard of it, haven’t watched it. I’m too busy investing my time in doomed network shows.

  85. 85.

    askew

    June 12, 2015 at 12:35 am

    @Valdivia:

    Not Steeplejack but I have a weird crush on the guy playing the lead character. It’s been on my to watch list and haven’t gotten to it yet. Glad to hear it’s good.

  86. 86.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 12:37 am

    @Steeplejack: Well this one was renewed, so at least you know it will be there more than one season.
    /Sorry about the cancelled shows. I know your pain. I am still sad they cancelled Damian Lewis’ Life.

    @askew: He usually plays bad guys, here he is both tough but a good guy. You’ll love the show.

  87. 87.

    MattR

    June 12, 2015 at 12:41 am

    @Steeplejack:

    Okay, so for network drama I am down to Elementary, Person of Interest, Grimm, Agents of SHIELD and The Blacklist (now hate-watching except for James Spader). Someone want to nuke any of those for me?

    So now I know which shows not to watch since they are gonna be cancelled after this season ;) Unfortunately 3 of those 5 are already on my list. It is a bit teen-angsty since it is on the CW, but if you are looking for something new, the first season of the Flash was pretty good. As a comic book fan, I am kinda excited by the gradual expansion of the CW’s DC universe. (My favorite rumor is that Arrow sidekick John Diggle’s middle name is Stewart lining him up to become a Green Lantern at some point down the road)

    BTW – Are you thinking of New Amsterdam as the show with the similar premise to Forever?

    @Valdivia:

    I am still sad they cancelled Damian Lewis’ Life.

    Hell yeah. I was actually re-watching a few episodes recently on my sister’s Netflix when I was visiting her for a few days.

  88. 88.

    MattR

    June 12, 2015 at 12:49 am

    @MattR: Too slow to edit, but meant to add that I got goosebumps re-watching the moment when he discovers Rachel and carries her out of the hostel. And I also still think of Sarah Shazi as Detective Dani Reese even after all her time as Sameen Shaw on Person of Interest.

    One day I am going to take advantage of my sister’s Netflix to rewatch the 6 episodes of Day Break that were broadcast followed by the 7 that never aired.

  89. 89.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:51 am

    @askew:

    Oh, that guy. (Just Googled some pics.) Yeah, I like him. He deserves a breakout hit too.

  90. 90.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 12:56 am

    @MattR:

    New Amsterdam—yeah, that looks like it. Although, scanning that Wikipedia article, I’m surprised I remember the show at all, since apparently I’ve forgotten about 95 percent of it.

    I’ve heard good things about The Flash. It’s on the to-view list (although pretty far down).

  91. 91.

    opiejeanne

    June 12, 2015 at 12:56 am

    @MattR: We watched New Amsterdam when it was on, and when I heard the plot of Forever I decided not to watch it. New Amsterdam was ok, but the one thing that I loved was the series of pictures over a couple of hundred years of that one corner. The photographs taken from the exact same spot starting in the late 1800s (I think) were the best part of the entire show.

  92. 92.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 1:01 am

    @MattR:

    And I also still think of Sarah Shahi as Detective Dani Reese even after all her time as Sameen Shaw on Person of Interest.

    Okay, Life just jumped onto the to-view list.

  93. 93.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 1:07 am

    @MattR: It was such a good show and the chemistry between the tow was amazing. I loved his character (and yes yes I have a crush on Damian Lewis, who doesn’t?)

  94. 94.

    askew

    June 12, 2015 at 1:09 am

    @Valdivia:

    Can’t wait to watch. I’ve suffered through so many bad movies/TV shows due to my crush on that guy (see the latest Transformers movie for example).

  95. 95.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 12, 2015 at 1:20 am

    @Valdivia: Damien Lewis crush? I can say no.

  96. 96.

    MattR

    June 12, 2015 at 1:22 am

    @opiejeanne: I can’t remember New Amsterdam at all but that streetcorner photo idea is pretty cool. Forever did a pretty good job of tying the plot to flashbacks of different times and places in the lead characters 200+ year life. They also had a pretty good nemesis set up – another man with the same condition who was originally “killed” by the same dagger that killed Julius Caesar. I am at least happy that the season finale was a semi-satisfying series finale – much more so than most series that get prematurely cancelled.

    @Steeplejack: Another possibility would be the SyFy retelling of 12 Monkeys. It’s only 13 episodes, was pretty thought provoking (which I can’t really discuss without partially spoiling things) and was already renewed for a second season.

    @Valdivia: I think Life would have survived if not for the Writer’s Guild Strike (damn unions!). That cut the first season short and it never quite got the momentum it needed. I’m guessing it wasn’t the only show screwed like that, but it has my vote for the bet. As you said, Lewis and Shahi’s chemistry was wonderful, the supporting characters were great as was the dialogue. Definitely not as good a series finale as Forever. Almost a bit anti-climactic. But a great series as a whole.

  97. 97.

    WaterGirl

    June 12, 2015 at 1:36 am

    @Steeplejack: I thought of you when I saw that Battle Creek had been cancelled. I really liked that show. I was also a big fan of Human Target. The Good Guys was fun but I wasn’t as bummed about that one.

    So many good shows get cancelled and stupid/awful ones are renewed. It’s all about making money now, not so much about making a great show.

  98. 98.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 1:37 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: well you are a boy, so maybe not exactly your cup of tea.
    I alighted onto Damian Lewis on The Forsyte Saga, playing the 19th century version of the (very)bad boy.

    @MattR: Also her pregnancy forced them to bring someone else in the second season. I am glad the episodes are on Netflix it’s fun watching the whole thing again.

  99. 99.

    MattR

    June 12, 2015 at 1:46 am

    @Valdivia: Forgot about that aspect (damn babies!) but I was just chuckling as I thought about the elevator fight scene between Damian Lewis and some suspect/ex-con that opens the episode that introduces Gabrielle Union. (EDIT: I though Union was fine even if she didn’t have the same chemistry as Shahi, but the story arc they came up with was kinda clunky) And now I have a hankering for some exotic fruit.

  100. 100.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 1:48 am

    @MattR: make sure it’s fresh! ;)

  101. 101.

    WaterGirl

    June 12, 2015 at 1:49 am

    @Steeplejack: I was sorry to see Forever axed, too. I think the show you are thinking of was Amsterdam, and I really liked that one.

    ETA: Bastards!

  102. 102.

    WaterGirl

    June 12, 2015 at 1:52 am

    @Valdivia: Life! I am still not over that one. Terriers was also one of the great TV shows ever, and they cancelled it.

    I will say it again. Bastards! All these TV execs canceling really good TV are bastards!

  103. 103.

    WaterGirl

    June 12, 2015 at 1:57 am

    Anyone: Do the Life episodes on Netflix have the original music?

    That was part of what made the show so great, but I think when they released it for video they didn’t want to pay for all the great music on the show so they other (not nearly as great) music.

  104. 104.

    WaterGirl

    June 12, 2015 at 1:58 am

    And now I see I’m talking to myself! It must be ttime to go to bed.

  105. 105.

    Valdivia

    June 12, 2015 at 2:00 am

    @WaterGirl: I think they have the original music. But i haven’t seen them in a long while. The music in that show was great.

  106. 106.

    MattR

    June 12, 2015 at 2:03 am

    @WaterGirl: Firefly is the one that will anger me until I die.

    There is almost no point in watching the first season of any new show anymore. Why get invested in something good when they are likely to cancel it in favor of another crappy reality show? Might as well make sure it gets renewed and then catch up on the first season via Netflix, Hulu, Blu-ray, etc. Which unfortunately creates a vicious cycle where these good shows don’t get good ratings in the first season which leads to their cancellation.

  107. 107.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 2:05 am

    @WaterGirl:

    Yes, New Amsterdam, as tagged by MattR above. As I said, I am surprised how little I actually remember about it, other than the premise, which rang a bell when I caught an episode of Forever.

  108. 108.

    Steeplejack

    June 12, 2015 at 2:12 am

    @MattR:

    Which unfortunately creates a vicious cycle where these good shows don’t get good ratings [. . .].

    This always makes me wonder how good a job the networks do of taking into account streaming, DVR time-shifting and binge-watching when they calculate the “ratings” for their shows. Do they look to see, for example, if all the episodes of a season are being streamed more often late in the season than when they first “aired”? That could be evidence of some binge-watching momentum.

    ETA: Or the Nielsen ratings people, of course. Although I’m sure the networks do their own internal ratings as a check.

  109. 109.

    MattR

    June 12, 2015 at 2:19 am

    @Steeplejack: I have absolutely no idea. Every now and then I start to think about it and end up going down a rabbit hole considering all the different ways they could try to track things. Since we work from home, should we be “watching” our favorite shows over and over On Demand all day long with the TV off (or do I need to leave the TV on but can turn the volume off)?

  110. 110.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    June 12, 2015 at 2:44 am

    @MattR:

    The dark world of TV ratings “fixers.” I like it.

  111. 111.

    fuckwit

    June 12, 2015 at 2:52 am

    @ruemara: You Are What You Is, and that’s all it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75DbkiZvxX4

  112. 112.

    fuckwit

    June 12, 2015 at 3:16 am

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): That whole story is pretty fucked, but the leaving the kids with her ex-husband’s family for his funeral sounds like the only sensible decision she’s ever made in her life.

    She’s already persona non grata at the funeral, so she’s obviously not in an environment that wants or needs her help. She’s not going to be convincing as support for her grieving kids because she obviously hates their dad and won’t be able to fake being upset, or at least won’t be able do fake not being thrilled about that sweet survivor’s benefit money. So, yeah, she should go to NY, get the hell out of here. While she’s there, sounds like she could get a job on Wall Street in like 5 minutes and succeed swimmingly, maybe as an investment banker.

    As for what happens now, those poor kids. EW is a flake, EW’s new boyfriend is probably Big Trouble. I’d say if you can find homes somewhere for the kids, it probably will take zero effort to get EW to at least look the other way at them being anywhere instead of with her, especially if new boyfriend hates kids, he could be an unlikely ally to you in pressuring her to let go of them.

    Good luck, and very sorry to hear you’ve got all that to deal with.

  113. 113.

    sparrow

    June 12, 2015 at 5:36 am

    @PhoenixRising: This story reminds me a bit of that fake 9/11 widow who was super-great at organizing and getting people together.

    I feel a bit more sorry for this woman, however. One guess is that she really, really identified with her black siblings, and felt upset when she saw discrimination against them, and is the type of person who leaps to defend others. And maybe that became a better life cause than anything else she had going.

    Giving people a “reason to be” is a very powerful thing.

  114. 114.

    rikyrah

    June 12, 2015 at 7:01 am

    I, too, was among the 1,000 people that watched The Good Guys. Loved it.

  115. 115.

    Another Holocene Human

    June 12, 2015 at 7:30 am

    @Mnemosyne (tablet): Personality disorder.

    Treat her like you would a wild animal. She’s not going to change.

  116. 116.

    Another Holocene Human

    June 12, 2015 at 7:31 am

    @ruemara: lol, your post is perfect: “hovering at taupe”

  117. 117.

    Another Holocene Human

    June 12, 2015 at 7:38 am

    @askew: I think it’s cognitive dissonance. She got involved with the Black community and Black issues and realized that her white birth community was fucking bonkers. The answer is that no matter how much you might identify with Black people, you’re never going to be Black. You have to accept that your birth community was closed minded and racist and doesn’t want to change — and move past it because you are your own person. Learn to accept and integrate the dichotomy.

    This young lady took what looked like the easy out at the time and claimed a mixed race identity that wasn’t hers. But the pain of cognitive dissonance passes. The shame and embarrassment of exposure is forever. That’s sounds harsh but … this shit is going to follow her forever.

  118. 118.

    Another Holocene Human

    June 12, 2015 at 7:43 am

    @scav: Entitlement or crazy cat lady.

    I’m not saying a lot of hippies (we have such creatures in this town) aren’t entitled, but some of them have moved past boundaries and labels and social niceties and reality in general in some cases. I assume it’s the hallucinogens.

  119. 119.

    Another Holocene Human

    June 12, 2015 at 7:46 am

    @lamh36: WHAAAAAAA—???

  120. 120.

    Ken T

    June 12, 2015 at 8:52 am

    @Tree With Water:

    A San Diego judge sentenced a barber on Thursday to 10 years in prison for inexplicably slashing a customer’s throat during a haircut and shave

    The barber’s name wasn’t Sweeney Todd, was it?

  121. 121.

    Just One More Canuck

    June 12, 2015 at 9:18 am

    @Origuy: That went right on my fb page – that’s great

  122. 122.

    rikyrah

    June 12, 2015 at 11:15 am

    @Valdivia:

    I loved Life. it was fabulous.

  123. 123.

    celticdragonchick

    June 12, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    My God…I am so sorry. Sending you best wishes.

  124. 124.

    JoJo

    June 12, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    @lamh36:

    So Dolezal is crazy for thinking that she’s really black, but a sixty-five year old father of six claims he’s really a woman, and that’s sane?

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