I accept Gov Notham's apology

[vlyons]

can we not destroy him like we did Al Franken please? I accept Notham's apology. It was timely, sincere, and did not equivocate the seriousness of racism. He has pledged to win back our trust and to work for the benefit of all his constituents. I believe him.

[manor321]

1. Al Franken wasn't dressed in blackface at age 25. Northam needs to go. Obviously so.

[Blue_true]

10. True. But Northam dressed in Blackface only once.

When, believe it or not, it was not a big deal among many Whites. Some movie critics even waxed on about Amos and Andy movies back during that type. It was possible to watch movies where Asians and American Indians were called names.

Lastly, Northam didn't wear blackface several times, even after doing so had became unacceptable, even if done in private.

[blm]

17. Oh Brother Where Art Thou used KKK history to commit comedy.

Last edited Fri Feb 1, 2019, 11:41 PM - Edit history (1)

I am pulled both ways on this issue, mainly because I know people who did nonviolent, but, still pretty awful things when they were young and did complete 180s as they matured.

Tough call, either way. For me. I can see the legitimacy in the sincere views of others. But still, it’s people of color who should be the weighted voices here.

[LovingA2andMI]

56. ......

"When, believe it or not, it was not a big deal among many Whites."

Really, Now....

#ByeRalph

[wellst0nev0ter]

63. That's the problem with the whites

they don't think racism is a big deal, then or now, despite how it has obviously poisoned the country and kept us back.

[Blue_true]

68. Exactly. Racism has hurt us badly.

Some White southerners hanging on to the confederacy has set my region of the country back mightily.

[Basement Beat]

81. Exactly...

[vlyons]

89. I never said that racism wasn't a big deal now or then

I was demonstrating to integrate segregated lunch counters back in 1963, when I was 16. What I said was that I accepted his apology and have forgiven him. He made a mistake ONCE! I am willing to give him a chance to redeem himself through his actions.

Forgiveness is a virtue.

[Jarqui]

106. More than once

1984 was the KKK pics

1981 he was "Coonman" in his VA Military yearbook

We only have a partial apology.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses.

"Sorry for the years of racism folks ... Now that I've provided a two second apology, I need to get back to the job of being Governor and leave you all wondering if I'm still a racist ..."

[vlyons]

110. How dare you accuse me of condoning racism!

You owe me an apology.

[Jarqui]

114. That's a strawman nt

[Codeine]

73. It wasn't a big deal for some whites;

and those people are what we call racist assholes.

[OnDoutside]

98. Once that we know of ?

[agingdem]

111. "even after doing so had become unacceptable"..what?

It was always a big deal! I don't give a damn if Northam apologizes...it was not bad judgment or youthful indiscretion on his part...it was/is racist mockery...demeaning and insulting and just plain awful...he needs to resign...and no we're not eating our own...

[LBM20]

22. This was 35 LONG years ago, and we must not condemn someone for their entire life. That's not right

either. There is no evidence at all that he has been or is anything like that now. It was SO long ago.

[LovingA2andMI]

57. And This....

"There is no evidence at all that he has been or is anything like that now. It was SO long ago."

It was SO long ago Four Little Girls lost their precious lives at a Church in Alabama -- but it does NOT MAKE THE FAMILIES' PAIN ANY LESS!!!

#ByeRalph

[Codeine]

75. Oh come on, would we excuse a Republican

who pulled some shit like that? Was Kavanaugh extended such forgiveness?

[Fresh_Start]

102. Do you really want to compare murder and rape to dressing up in bad taste?

Those things are in different universes

[rtw]

113. Murder??

[Fresh_Start]

115. DUers are comparing Northam photo to girls massacred in Alabama

and to OJ...on the order of OJ murdered 35 years ago so is we give Northam a buy...then we should give OJ a buy.

[Fresh_Start]

101. not a legitimate comparison...

Franken assaulted women.
He didn't dress up as a women, he physically assaulted women

[Kurt V.]

2. i accept his apology too. now resign

[LBM20]

31. Let's take a look at noted people who made mistakes in life and were forgiven and continued on:

Robert Byrd: KKK member. Changed BIGITIME, very LONGSTANDING U.S. Senator.
Bill Clinton: Multi-Infidelity; Admitted Misleading Statements About Infidelity (Apologized, continue to successful post-presidency.)
Jesse Jackson: Infidelity (Made personal amends. Continued as important civil rights, political, and religious leader.)
Marion Barry: Lying, Criminal Drug Use (Did re-hab, served his time, re-entered public life at the local level.)
George Wallace: Defender of Segregation (Later reversed those views and was widely forgiven.)
Mel Gibson: Anti-Semetic and Racist Rants When Drunk (Apologized many times, took hiatus, and is now back as a successful actor and director.)
Joy Reid: Homophobic Statements (Apologized and continues to work successfully.)
Tulsi Gabbard: Homophobic Statements (Apologized and continues to serve successfully.)
Kevin Hart: Homophobic Statements (Apologized and continues very successfully.)

And the list goes on and on.

Also, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned many slaves, and Abraham Lincoln for a long while was not for ending slavery but just containing it. (Washington said in his will his slaves would be free only upon the death of his wife. She released them while she was still living. He pre-deceased her.) (Lincoln even said at one point, "If I could save the union without freeing any slaves I would do it." He placed saving the union above slavery. He later was for getting rid of slavery entirely on principle.)

We all make mistakes and misjudgements. Hopefully we live, we learn, we change, we grow, and we earn forgiveness and chances to continue on. Mistakes long ago should not define use forever. EVERYONE makes mistakes. EVERYONE.

[wellst0nev0ter]

94. Nobody forgave Marion Barry

At least not the whites.

[Miigwech]

3. Agreed

let's be the Party of reconciliation

[Jarqui]

4. His apology is not enough.

He needs to go.

He was 25 years old graduating med school - not a four year old.

Ralph Northam’s Yearbook Reportedly Listed One of His Nicknames as ‘Coonman’
https://www.mediaite.com/online/ralph-northams-yearbook-reportedly-listed-one-of-his-nicknames-as-coonman/

Donald Trump and unarmed black kids shot by law enforcement are prime examples of many for why we need zero tolerance of behavior like this.

Goodbye Northam!!

[LBM20]

92. Right, let's never forgive anyone ever. Let's crucify people forever. Let's not allow anyone to

change, which Northam obviously has many many years ago, and let's let a dumb choice three and a half decades ago define a person's entire life. Let's put redemption and second chances right in the trash compactor.


Sorry, but all that is just SO WRONG! People make dumb mistakes in life. This was 35 years ago. He has led a very good life since. He has sincerely apologized for something SO long ago. He deserves forgibveness and the chance to make futher amends.

[Jarqui]

105. It's not a question of ever forgiving someone

He has yet to even apologize for the Coonman year book.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses.

I am also unaware if he truly has this racism problem behind him. What evidence do we have of that? Was his Lt Gov a token black to get him votes or did he truly regard him as they best person for the job? If he was that proud of him, why wasn't he in his campaign literature? Many unanswered questions here.

He can resign as he apparently will. He can apologize. And then he can go about straightening this out. And after he does, he can run for public office again. If he has truly demonstrated remorse and that he has changed his ways, then he might win that election and will have earned that forgiveness. Until then - until something like that happens, I'm not going to be so hasty to look the other way.

He is in a position of public trust and should be held to a higher standard. Before he got into that position, he would have been asked about skeletons in his closet. I'd be very interested to know how forthright he was about that. From the surprise of this story, not nearly enough.

There have been too many people badly hurt by racism in my lifetime. The racists need to be held to account with zero tolerance because gentler, more forgiving/look-the-other-way approaches haven't worked very effectively over the last 50 years of my lifetime. I'm fed up as I am sure the victims of this behavior are.

Tough love.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Unless you are part of the group he offended it's not up to you accept his apology.

[Miigwech]

14. I have suffered discrimination and

I would have loved to have gotten an apology from those that did it. Northam, did that today, I applaud him for it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

18. He only apologized after he got caught.

[Miigwech]

42. And the point?

Caught? Was not this information out there for years? Why now is it such a big story? Right wing media is behind this.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

44. If the information was out there for years why did we just hear about it?

[bullwinkle428]

30. This times one-thousand. It utterly offends me to see so many here

cutting the guy slack on this, and I don't think I'm going out on a limb to assume that plenty of those granting absolution are white. I don't have even a shred of doubt in my mind that if this happened to be a Repuke governor, there would be complete unanimity in calling for his head on a pike.

[Codeine]

76. Exactly.

The desire of so many to write this off as youthful enthusiasm is not a good look for DU.

[fountainofyouth]

47. Thank you!

We should be here to offer support for the people directly affected -- not to rob them of their voice.

[vlyons]

90. Sure it is

What makes you think that whites are just as offended? It's not anyone's place to tell me how to feel, or if I have the the right to accept his apology.

[whopis01]

96. Everyone should be offended by blackface and klan outfits

What groups are you suggesting shouldn’t be offended by this?

[Iliyah]

6. I can too.

Al Franken in my opinion was set up.

Anywho, people can change. From bad to good or the other way. Republicans deny.

As a person of color - no resign.

[LovingA2andMI]

58. .....

As a person of color - no resign.

As African-Americans are discriminated on a DAILY BASIS in America.....

#ByeRalph

[wellst0nev0ter]

95. We forgave him for voting for Dubya, twice

There's no third strike. He needs to resign.

[uponit7771]

7. Was it really timely?! Why didn't he apologize BEFORE someone came out with this?! Even after he was

... elected would've been better than now

[LovingA2andMI]

60. Thank You!!!!

Agree....

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Al Franken was destroyed without an investigation and on the basis of "evidence"

that originated with a buddy of Sean Hannity and Roger Stone. I don't know much about Northam but the situations do not seem to be in any way the same.

[Doodley]

9. I accept his apology too, but let"s force him to resign while the most

divisive president carries on destroying this nation.

[Texasgal]

11. Nope.

If this was the other way there would be NO wiggle room.

I stand on conviction, not politics.

[Doodley]

12. Then maybe most lawmakers should resign, because they will

fail a purity test when you investigate the things they have said and done.

[Texasgal]

24. Maybe so..

I'm not going to be a hypocrite. Refuse.

[peacefrogman]

13. His nickname was coonman, in the military. His apology was a true apology, I feel.

That nickname along with the picture is rough.

[Bettie]

15. Unfortunately, the very same people who demand that we don't ask for purity

for people like Joe Manchin, have spoken already.

Northam has been judged already as irredeemably evil based on something he did 35 years ago.

[LovingA2andMI]

79. When Joe Manchin....

"Unfortunately, the very same people who demand that we don't ask for purity for people like Joe Manchin, have spoken already."

....Is caught with a Photo Like Ralph Northman's and a choosen Nickname of "Coonman"...

Get back with us. We Will have the SAME OPINION.

#ByeRalph #GTFO

[Bettie]

108. Joe Manchin does damage to the party every time

he votes with the right wing. But, he's OK, because....West Virginia I guess.


And lovely grave image for Northam, so he should die for this? Interesting. When's the execution?

[Clash City Rocker]

16. I love all the (mostly white) people here giving him a free pass

Because of a brief statement that sounded like it was written by a lawyer, in which he didn’t look distraught or particularly apologetic, and the fact that he has a D next to his name. How about he sits down with community leaders, explaining why he was a racist in the eighties and how he learned that was wrong? Speaking as a white man maried to a black woman, I’m annoyed at the people who say, “hey, black people, you have to excuse our racism because the Republicans are worse.” Respect has to be earned. You don’t get it just because someone else is worse.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. African Americans give over ninety percent of their votes to the Democrats.

They are owed the utmost respect,

[Clash City Rocker]

25. Exactly. Democrats shouldn't take them for granted.

[workinclasszero]

86. I know that's right!

How the hell does this man get a pass over a vile picture that had he been a MAGA cultist, this whole board would be calling for his head!

Ohh but,but,but...he's a democrat so...see no evil???

It's time for the Governor to finally do the right thing and step down.

[LovingA2andMI]

61. YES!!!!

This Right Here!!! Thank You!!!

#ByeRalph

[dflprincess]

19. I'm not familiar with Northam,

what has his record been since his time in medical school? Are there other incidents that happened later?

Robert Byrd was forgiven for worse behavor that he "indulged" in when he was older than Northam was in these photos. but Byrd did develop a record of action that backed up his apologies. Can the same be said about Northam?

And, if a person is going to be held responsible for bad behavior in college, behavior that he appears to be truly sorry for, how many people will dare run for public office? Is it helpful to become the party that doesn't forgive mistakes or refuses to accept that people can change and become better?

It may be that he should resign, but I would prefer we not be so quick to jump on the bandwagon as was done with Franken. (And note, there have been no more accusations against Al since he resigned and those that did accuse him have faded away, strange how that worked out.)

[wellst0nev0ter]

65. His two strikes was voting for Chimpy McDubya twice

There shouldn't have been a third strike.

He have left yesterday, when he knew that photo was laying around to be exposed.

[USALiberal]

21. Same if a GOP Governor? nt

[Duppers]

51. He has a MUCH different record than

A rethug would have.

Here:
https://votesmart.org/candidate/90253/ralph-northam#.XFUaIRhOlkw

- a Virginian

[backabby-blue]

23. I accept his apology but he still must resign.

He is not worth the heartache and damage he will cause if he stays.

[LBM20]

35. No. You don't crucify someone for something like that SO long ago. He has led a good life.

[backabby-blue]

39. He can still continue his life..

He just should not be Governor.

[Codeine]

77. Stepping down from elected office isn't crucifixtion. nt

[nini]

26. We must hold everyone accountable to that stuff

Even if they're on 'our side'.

You lose the moral high ground on the issue if you do not.

That was a pretty bad picture.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

28. I'm thinking the black face is actually worse.

The Klan existed. The black face is an ugly caricature.

[nini]

41. It's a close call

but that blackface was definitely one of the worst I've seen.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

43. Ever see Django unchained? The Klan were depicted as buffoons.

You have to really have no respect for black people to caricature them like that.

[nini]

80. That doesn't surprise me

I haven't seen it yet.. I may add it to my list though

[MadDAsHell]

27. Nope. Crucify him. Race is the only thing that matters is 2019; racism is the ultimate sin. nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

29. He should resign and spend the rest of his life making amends.

[LBM20]

34. Are you spending the rest of your life making amends for your mistakes in life too?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. I never wore black face or celebrated a group , the Klan, that cut off black men's nuts

I never wore black face or celebrated a group , the Klan, that cut off black men's nuts, and hanged them from trees. If I did that I would say the only remedy for me would be seppuku

As a Jew who remembers from his youth seeing my parents friends with numbers tattooed on their arms by the NAZIS I stand with my black brothers and sisters in having a zero tolerance policy regarding racism.

If I was okay with racism I would be a Republican.

[Maru Kitteh]

91. If I was okay with racism, I would be a republican.

That's perfect and I hope you don't mind when I use it.

[LBM20]

93. It is morally wrong to crucify a person for their entire life over one dumb act 35 years ago.

To crucify and condemn a person for one dumb act 35 years ago when the person has lived a good and righteous life ever since, by all accounts, is morally wrong. Let him without sin cast the first stone.

[JI7]

37. he has already been doing the right thing for years. but I believe he will

continue to even if he resigns.

[wiggs]

40. Yes...if he's now who he says he is, he owes a debt for past behavior. Best and most

effective to repay the debt as a forgotten private citizen or as a governor with powers to actually do something constructive wrt this issue?

[LBM20]

33. What mistakes have you made in your life? That dumb act was 35 years ago. It is sinful to crucify

someone who has led a good life over a mistake LONG ago.

[atreides1]

32. I challenge all

Has anyone laughed at a ethnic joke?

Have you found humor in those who are disabled?

How many were bullies in school?

Let those who have not sinned cast the first stone...

[MadDAsHell]

46. Racism is an unforgivable sin. It overrides any other sin on Earth. Nt

[Revanchist]

116. So a racist is worse than a child molester?

A serial killer, a school shooter, a rapist? Interesting priorities

[MadDAsHell]

117. Yes, it is. nt

[fountainofyouth]

48. This is not a random man in the street we're worried about

This is the chief executive of a commonwealth with over a million black residents. Consider the stakes.

[wellst0nev0ter]

97. He won't even say which costume he's in

And people are still eating up his apology? Is white privilege that worth defending?

[EarnestPutz]

36. I accept it too. I know that he can't try to explain the photo away...

...but I wish that he could say “it’s a joke, a tongue in cheek image of
two people, enemies, arm in arm. It was meant to be laughed at, in 1984,
and today it’s just in bad taste”.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

45. "two people, enemies, arm in arm."

Yes, because that's an accurate depiction of how black people look.

[EarnestPutz]

69. If it's not your place to accept the apology...

....is it your place to pass judgement and tell someone to
"spend the rest of his life making amends"? Do you think
that your comments on this issue are extremist? Would you
really commit seppuku if you had once worn blackface as a
college kid? You mentioned "Django Unchained". Were you
offended by the racism in that film? Do you think it was meant
funny? Tongue in cheek? An accurate portrayal of the times?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

70. Your

Your earnest defense of black face is as unpersuasive as is your implication that two people in the photo:





are "two people, enemies, arm in arm."

Do you think black people look like the gentleman on the left, really?

[EarnestPutz]

72. Didn't answer any of my questions, especially the..

...one about seppuku. So I must have been somewhat persuasive.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

74. If I brought shame onto myself my family , and my community

If I brought shame onto myself my family , and my community I would hope I had the courage to commit seppuku. Failing that I would hope to have the prescience to live a life of anonymity, and not enter the public sphere.


His actions were not only hurtful but reckless. If these photos became public on the eve of his gubernatorial election Ed Gillepsie might have won.

[EarnestPutz]

78. You didn't answer my other questions, which might provide...

...some context to the one you did respond to.
May I add one more
question, then, and ask if wearing blackface would bring so much shame
onto you, your family and your community that you would kill yourself,
what community do you belong to and would they approve of your ritual suicide?

[djacq]

49. Gov Northam will have to resign. (Copied from another post)

As an African American and a Virginia Resident, I and my family "was" proud voters for Northam. The African American vote, especially with black women, brought Northam that win.

Doesn't matter if it was 35 years ago. Doesn't matter if he is of good character now. He's a good governor and I'm quite sure Northam is a good man, a good doctor, a good veteran, and NOT a racist.

But that image is there and we all see it. But you also can't dismiss the images of African Americans during Slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow. Watch the 60 Minutes segment on Lynching and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Look at the images of unarmed young men being killed.

Should I tell my two adult black children to dismiss the images of their heritage? So, why should I or any DU member here should easily dismiss images of Northam in either of the two individuals.

I can't take back my vote but Northam can do the right thing and resign.

[Duppers]

71. Yes. I've changed my mind tonight.

We have a wonderful Lt. Governor, a man of color.

[qanda]

103. My sister lives in Virginia

As a black woman she is distraught that she cast her ballot for someone who would do that and not ever address that it was a part of their past. He should have been up front and given people the choice of if they still wanted to vote for him.

[zentrum]

50. I do not accept. It was

.....Actually very hurtful and harmful and dangerous for any black students in the school.

The Klan is and was a deadly terrorist organization and to make light of them is deeply damaging to the social fabric.

An apology does not cover it. He should pay a social consequence and resign his position.

[DallasNE]

52. I Have Mixed Feelings

There is no excuse for what he did 35 years ago. The fact that he had not previously owned up to this is very troubling. But this was Virginia of 35 years ago. How do you balance this out? I need a little more time to think about this but needless to say I am bothered by this a great deal and am leaning in the direction of resign. And it has as much to do with waiting until now to own up to his actions all of those years ago. The apology needed to happen when he entered politics rather than just now when he had to.

[pnwmom]

84. I lived in VA more than 30 years ago. Good, intelligent people were not racist then.

People who keep saying this are really insulting the Virginians I knew.

[wellst0nev0ter]

99. The year of our lord 1984

And the certain folks still don't get that the kkk and blackface is offensive as fuck?

Wait, you people must've loved the movie "Soul Man" didn't you?

[LovingA2andMI]

53. We Don't.....

Signed Black & African-American Democrats Sick & Tired of dealing with overt RACISM anytime from ANYONE, Republican or Democrat!!!!

#ByeRalph

[Owl]

55. I accept it also.

[LovingA2andMI]

64. Accept A Governor Or Any Elected Official....

Aligning with Blackface, KKK Uniform and a sick nickname of "Coonman"?

Really Now??

#ByeRalph

[pnwmom]

59. If you are black, he should be grateful for your support. But if you're white, then it's not

up to you to accept his apology.

[Doodley]

62. Isn't that saying that whites should share the blame for racism of white racists?

And is that at least a little bit racist?

[pnwmom]

82. No. n/t

[ChazII]

112. Good point, pnwmom.

[WeekiWater]

66. I accept his apology.

What I don’t know is what it would feel like as a minority under his representation after seeing this.. I imagine there is no singular thought on that.

I’ve also accepted apologies while also demanding change. Accepting an apology, even complete forgiveness, does not equal turning a bling eye and moving forward.

[EffieBlack]

67. It's not up to you to accept his apology

His Virginia constituents - especially the African-American ones - are who he's apologizing to and who will decide his future.

[pnwmom]

83. Especially the African-American ones. n/t

[oberliner]

88. They seem to have decided

Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus and Virginia House Democrats have joined the growing list calling on Gov. Ralph Northam’s resignation.

Link to tweet

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Demands Governor Northam Resigns

Link to tweet

[tirebiter]

85. Who is he now?

He's pro-choice, spoke out against the right wingers at Charlottesville, ran on pulling down Confederate statues and Roy Moore's campaign director put out the picture.

I say make this a learning moment.

[MBS]

100. important question and good advice

Thanks.
The photo was shocking, but I'm uncomfortable with the rush to judgment.

I followed his election quite closely, and – though he's more conservative than I am (up to now, my main concern about him has been his apparent support (?) for a planned gas pipeline), he is an actual Democrat (not DINO). One reason the photo is shocking is that it seemed so much at odds with what I see of him now.

[orleans]

87. you spelled his name wrong

just saying

[cwydro]

104. No comparison.

I’m amazed at reading one hypocritical thread after another here. Smh.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

107. Because

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211762053

[panader0]

109. I think your sig line says it well. A biased mind cannot grasp reality.

I accept his apology and I accept his resignation.
Perhaps he is truly sorry, but he should not be Governor.
"Coonman" says he can't remember if he was the guy in blackface or the KKK guy.