Allie Dowdle, shown along with her boyfriend, recognized as Michael Swift, posted this photo on her page that is goFundMe: Allie Dowdle’s gofundme web page)

After an Eads teenager utilized a crowdfunding web web site to accuse her parents of racism over her boyfriend that is black have actually added almost $35,000 to cover her educational costs.

Allie Dowdle, 18, who’s white and a senior in the Hutchison class, posted her GoFundMe plea online on Jan. 11, and hardly seven days later, contributors have actually raised $34,675, far surpassing the goal that is original pair of $10,000.

Nevertheless the crowdfunding web web site in addition to teenager’s tale of woe have not been without debate.

This started, Dowdle composed, about this past year whenever she informed her parents, Bill and Demetra Dowdle, that she ended up being dating Michael Swift. Swift, that is black colored, is just a previous soccer standout at Memphis University class whom now plays midfield and ahead as being a freshman at Clemson University. His dad is Michael Swift, whom invested four years when you look at the NFL using the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars while the San Diego Chargers.

“we showed my parents their photo, and also the discussion had been over before it also started,” Dowdle wrote. “My dad would not offer me personally a choice: he said that I became maybe perhaps perhaps not permitted to see Michael again. Why? Strictly because of skin tone. It absolutely wasn’t a”no that is quiet” either. We’ll never ever your investment yelling my moms and dads did, if they expressed how disappointed these people were in me personally, that i really could do a great deal better,” she had written.

Dowdle proceeded to see Swift in key, she had written, but about four weeks ago she informed her moms and dads these were nevertheless dating. Relating to Dowdle, her moms and dads then took away her phone, vehicle and cash then declined to cover university. Dowdle included that she had been nevertheless residing at home, however.

Phone and message phone telephone telephone calls left for the Dowdle family members are not came back. Reached at their Collierville home previously this the elder Swift also declined to comment week. Bill Dowdle runs a regional sports company, Dowdle Sports.

But, Bill Dowdle talked to your ny regular Information earlier in the day, stating that their child “dating a black colored guy may never be his ‘preference’ due to ‘issues’ associated with biracial relationship when you look at the South,” the paper said.

“It was never ever about battle,” the paper quoted Dowdle as saying, including that his child’s remarks are “a reason and gave her the ethical high ground.”

Dowdle said he disapproved of Swift and another of their child’s boyfriends because she began dating them secretly. Dowdle included he made a decision to cut her college money off because she’s got been ruined and “it became apparent that she had a need to venture out on earth and develop,” the paper had written.

Even though many of the who contributed money have actually congratulated Allie Dowdle on her behalf stand against racism, other people have actually questioned whether that is actually exactly what this woman is doing.

“You are not eligible to a totally free training because you are dating a black colored man,” a woman called Ashlyn Rae posted on Twitter. Another Twitter individual, Marissa Kizer, stated, “Sending a rich white woman to university isn’t racism that is fighting. Simply visit a cheaper college.”

Charles McKinney can be a professor that is associate Rhodes university and manager of the college’s Africana studies program. He praised Dowdle’s stance against racism, but additionally stated he found the city’s a reaction to her plea intriguing.

“This thing has gone viral. Thats a testament to her stance that is brave against,” McKinney said. “Were proficient at pinpointing these specific stances against prejudice. The main reason that there was clearly therefore much blowback is this is exactly what we always have a tendency to do. We have a tendency to glorify specific stances while we perpetually ignore cases of institutional racism.”

However when expected if he will be enthusiastic about donating to Dowdle, McKinney possessed a fast response.

“No. ‘Cause shes gonna be okay. Allies going to be fine. This really is regrettable and its particular bad. But its unpleasant to declare that of all cases of racism we’re able to get in Memphis, Tennessee, here is the the one that individuals should provide cash to,” he stated. “this really is unfortunate that it has occurred to her, but Im a lot more thinking about the a reaction to this tale, just exactly exactly how its being spun whilst the community rallying across the regrettable target of racism. In community where African-Americans are disproportionately underemployed, less educated and poorer … and also this is the tale that bubbles as much as the most effective. Exactly what does that say about us?”