B ack in Feb., which feels like decades ago in this news cycle, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was caught up in a blackface scandal. Well, tha...
Back in Feb., which feels like decades ago in this news cycle, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was caught up in a blackface scandal. Well, that is ancient history to Northam. He is now back on the campaign trail like nothing happened.
See Also: Democrats Backpedal On Calls For Virginia’s Governor To Resign Over Blackface
Richmond.com reports that on Wednesday Northam “attended a private event at the home of Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, for supporters, constituents and lobbyists, his spokeswoman confirmed. Northam also is slated to appear Sunday at the campaign kickoff barbecue for Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax.”
He continued, “There was a lot of damage done by this whole incident. The African American community was deeply hurt by this. It’s very, very painful. But at this point in time he appears to be staying in office. If indeed he has work to do on moving the ball forward on racial understanding, he needs a venue to do that, and that’s what I’m trying to provide.”
Sen. David Marsden is a 71-year-old white man.
To remind you, Northam’s racist photo was published in 1984. Originally, the governor apologized for appearing in it before saying he wasn’t even in the photo. He also claimed he has only darkened his skin for a Michael Jackson costume.
He told CNN, “I believe now and then that I am not either of the people in this photo. This was not me in that picture. That was not Ralph Northam.” He continued, “I intend to continue doing the business of Virginia. I could avoid an honest conversation about harmful actions from my past. I cannot in good conscience choose the path that would be easier for me in an effort to duck my responsibility to reconcile.”
As for darkening his skin for a Michael Jackson costume, “I had the shoes, I had a glove, and I used just a little bit of shoe polish to put under my — or on my — cheeks. And the reason I used a very little bit is because, I don’t know if anybody’s ever tried that, but you cannot get shoe polish off…. I look back now and regret that I did not understand the harmful legacy of an action like that.”
Interesting.
See the photo below:
SEE ALSO:
WTH? ‘Black Panther’ Writer Roxane Gay Was Not Invited To The Movie Premiere
Black Lawmakers Could Lead Virginia Past Blackface, Sex Scandals
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring Says He Wore Blackface, Too
[ione_media_gallery id="3833240" overlay="true"]* This article was originally published here
