But it's not like this kind of thing hasn't been done before in American history. During the Harlem Renaissance, for instance, there were some white women married to black artists and intellectuals involved in that movement who passed themselves off as black.
They were at least black by marriage ;P
seriously, though, I wouldn't know about that, because not my time/city/country, but just because something's been done before doesn't make it ok.... and I'm sure those ladies weren't able to physically take on the part as much as this time. Did any of them apply for public or other office under the guise of being a visible minority (in a time when that sort of thing would be a criteria vs a roadblock?). There was less to gain (and so much to lose) from doing this back in the day; this ladylooks to have done this (partially) for gain (career advancement).
Anyway, I'm not bothered; just saying I understand why the black community would be. To be fair, some of them aren't bothered either, but like me just think the whole thing is whack.