RICHMOND — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) on Friday acknowledged appearing in a “clearly racist and offensive” photograph in his 1984 medical school yearbook that shows a man in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe.
“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now,” he said. “This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine, and in public service. But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes Virginians’ faith in that commitment.”
Northam, 59, did not say if he was the man dressed in blackface or Klan robes. Calls for his resignation came from the NAACP, the Republican Governors’ Association, the state’s Republican party and some national Democrats – including presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Julian Castro.
“Black face in any manner is always racist and never okay,” tweeted Derrick Johnson, NAACP president. “No matter the party affiliation, we can not stand for such behavior, which is why the @NAACP is calling for the resignation of Virginia Governor @RalphNortham.”
Members of the state legislative black caucus said Friday night stopped short of demanding Northam step down but said “what has been revealed is disgusting, reprehensible, and offensive. We feel complete betrayal. The legacy of slavery, racism, and Jim Crow has been an albatross around the necks of African Americans for over 400 years. These pictures rip off the scabs of an excruciatingly painful history and are a piercing reminder of this nation’s sins. Those who would excuse the pictures are just as culpable.”
But a statement released by the governor in the early evening indicated that he would continue his work.
The image in the yearbook from Eastern Virginia Medical School was on a page with other photos of Northam and personal information about the future governor. Northam, a pediatric neurologist, graduated from medical school in 1984 after earning an undergraduate degree from Virginia Military Institute.
The yearbook page is labeled Ralph Shearer Northam, along with pictures of him in a jacket and tie, casual clothes and alongside his restored Corvette.
It shows two people, one in plaid pants, bow tie and black faced, and the other in full Klan robes and a hood. Both men appear to be holding beer cans. The person in black face is smiling. Beneath the photo, Northam lists his alma mater, an interest in pediatrics and offers a quote: “There are more old drunks than old doctors in this world so I think I’ll have another beer.”
Jack Wilson, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia said Northam should step down. “Racism has no place in Virginia,” Wilson said in a statement. “These pictures are wholly inappropriate. If Governor Northam appeared in blackface or dressed in a KKK robe, he should resign immediately.”
The “offensive” yearbook photo is shown in the link. 😉
So do what right fire yourself
“Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Won’t Resign, Admits To Different Blackface Incident
Northam says he was not one of the men pictured in a racist photo from his yearbook, but he did wear blackface a different time.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/virginia-governor-ralph-northam-wont-resign_us_5c55d675e4b087104753e789
this is the guy that supports infanticide…..blackface from 84 is the focus…..sheesh!