Zero Hedge
February 2, 2019
Update 3: Northam has released an apology, reiterating his earlier apology – yet still not elaborating on whether he was the guy in blackface or the KKK outfit.
“That photo and the racist offensive attitudes it represents does not reflect that person I am today, or the way I have conducted myself as a soldier, a doctor and a public servant. I am deeply sorry. I cannot change the decisions I’ve made, nor can I undo the harm my behavior caused then and today. But I accept responsibility for my past actions, and I am ready to do the hard work to regain your trust.”
My fellow Virginians, earlier today I released a statement apologizing for behavior in my past that falls far short of the standard you set for me when you elected me to be your governor. I believe you deserve to hear directly from me. pic.twitter.com/1rSw1oxfrX
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 2, 2019
Meanwhile, calls for Northam’s resignation have been mounting among prominent Democrats.
Governor Ralph Northam must resign. There is no excuse for the shockingly racist picture. I note that Florida Republican Secretary of State Michael Ertel resigned last month for being in blackface. This picture is even worse. It’s blackface next to a KKK figure. https://t.co/0Ujze6odGW
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 2, 2019
Update 2: It appears Northam’s apology – in which he did not elaborate if he was dressed in the KKK outfit or wore the blackface – was not accepted by his fellow democrats, and first Kamala Harris then the NAACP have both called on him to resign. And Trump has yet to tweet even once on the topic.
Black face in any manner is always racist and never okay. 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
— Derrick Johnson (@DerrickNAACP) February 2, 2019