New York assemblyman apologizes for blackface party costume
Source: Reuters
New York assemblyman apologizes for blackface party costume
Tue Feb 26, 2013 1:28am EST
(Reuters) - A state assemblyman apologized on Monday for donning blackface and wearing an Afro wig at a party celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim, a costume that drew criticism from fellow lawmakers and the Anti-Defamation League bias monitoring group.
Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind of New York City, who had earlier defended the costume on his blog, said he did not mean to offend anyone with the outfit, which also included black sunglasses and an orange jersey.
"It was not meant to offend anybody, it was not meant to hurt anybody. I'm sorry that anyone was," Hikind said in an impromptu news conference, a video of which was posted on the New York Post website.
The costume, which he wore at a party at his home on Sunday, had drawn criticism from the Anti Defamation League, which said that he had "showed terrible judgment," according to the New York Times.
[font size=1]
-snip-[/font]
Read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/us-usa-newyork-assymblyman-idUSBRE91P04Q20130226