In a recent episode of Dr. Phil, audiences were introduced to Treasure, a 16-year-old black teenager who is convinced she is white and superior to other African Americans. It was a shocking story that was equal parts confusing and sad.
"I know a lot of people take issues with my beliefs. I'm white. I'm a Caucasian because everything about me is different from an African American," Treasure claimed. "I have naturally straight hair. My hair is not nappy; it doesn't require a weave. My nose is not giant, like African-Americans, my lips are perfect […] Most African-Americans speak ghetto. When it comes to black people, I think they’re all ugly and I have nothing in common with them. I’m different from African Americans because I’m white."
Treasure's family joined her on stage to express their growing concern about her mental state and apparent self-hatred. Her mother, Monique, said the teen's racist tendencies started to show when she was a small child; she claimed Treasure had an aversion to black dolls and refused to play with other black children. Monique said she was convinced her daughter's identity crisis began when her white husband died in 2006; though the man was not Treasure's biological parent, Monique admits she allowed her children to believe they were biracial because they had no other father figures.
Monique went on to say that Treasure's delusions have only intensified as she's gotten older. She now fears her daughter will get caught up with white supremacy groups.
"It makes me feel good to put down Africa Americans because it helps them stay in their place," Treasure proclaimed. "I identify with the Ku Klux Klan because the way they believe is just so smart. White is right."
Throughout the show, Treasure would make a series of wildly offensive statements toward the black community, insisting they were "chaotic," "thuggish," and intellectually inferior.
Dr. Phil eventually introduced Treasure to an Atlanta-based life coach named Spirit, who attempted to make sense of the situation.
"We have issues around culture, we have issues around class, we have issues around racial identity, and we have issues around self-esteem," Spirit said. "It’s not that she hates black people; it’s that she hates herself, and she wants her old life back."
You can check out clips from the episode, as well as Twitter reactions, below.
And read some reactions from Twitter, below.
