Finding yourself with a broken compass

Rachel Dolezal, the daughter of white parents, permed her hair and bronzed her skin and called herself African-American. I talked this week with John Stonestreet of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview about the absurdity of her situation and the inconsistency of those who criticize Dolezal while applauding public figures who attempt to change genders.

“When our self-identification triumphs over everything, it does lead to these absurdities,” Stonestreet said. “What we’re doing today is trying to find our identity by looking inside, which is kind of like sending someone out to hike in a wilderness with a compass that always points at them.”

People need a reference point outside of themselves to find themselves, Stonestreet said. He also cautioned Christians, as the Rev. Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute has said, to be “ruthless with ideas but gentle with people.”

“Clearly, with Rachel Dolezal you have somebody who cares deeply about the issues. She’s been a champion of the cause that she’s dedicated her life to,” Stonestreet said. “Rachel and Bruce [Jenner] and everyone else affected by lies, even if they’re self-imposed lies, in and of themselves have dignity and value.”

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