Ralph Northam yearbook page shows men in blackface and KKK robe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
This should now be a time of reflection, healing, and moving on.

The governor apologized for the picture, as he should have.

Fellow Democrats need to lay off of Northam. It does no good to pile on one of our own at such an important time.

We need to come together and heal. This is a prime example of a teachable moment.

Finally, we need to move on. Governor Northam has so much to offer in terms of gun control, secure abortions and other items important to us. His slip up should not be made into such a spectacle that the party is humiliated. We need to move on and govern!


Unless Trump and Kavanaugh resign there is no need for Northam to resign.

Conservatives get away with so much sexist and racist crap simply because they fight and fight and refuse to resign. Northam is not the same man now, and needs to beat the GOP at their own game.




Guess he’s got to beat his own party at its own game since so very many Demicrats want him to resign. If he was actually one of the people in the pictures, why would you recommend not resigning? What moral authority would he have to govern?


Because it was THIRTY FIVE TEARS AGO, decades before he was governor.


Why do people need to have a “moral authority” to govern?!
That rubs me the wrong way.
I reject the idea that we must only have elected officials who have lived pure and moral lives.
I accept the idea of redemption and grace and believe very strongly in “change.”
For those of you who don’t, I think you should examine what you’re willing to scarifice in order to have a “pure” governor or president.
Because I know very few who have gotten to adulthood without lapses in judgment or immoral decisions.



Can you accept that if someone has done or said racist things, they shouldn't be governing? We are talking about racism here. I don't think people who are racist give good medical care or should be in the police, or teach in schools either. It isn't just about governing. When you affect other people's lives, you shouldn't be racist.

Is there a test for racism? Who is the judge of racism? Should doctors, police, and teachers take some sort of a test to see if they are racist? I think we go down a huge rabbit hole when we start judging people, especially based on what they did 35 years ago.

Northam has done a lot of good in his life as evidenced by his military service, career as a doctor, and in political life so far. Judging him based on a picture from long ago seems a bit too far to me. I live in Virginia and I don't want this decision to be made in haste. Al Franken should not have been forced out either.

The test is this -if someone does or says something racist, BELIEVE THEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should now be a time of reflection, healing, and moving on.

The governor apologized for the picture, as he should have.

Fellow Democrats need to lay off of Northam. It does no good to pile on one of our own at such an important time.

We need to come together and heal. This is a prime example of a teachable moment.

Finally, we need to move on. Governor Northam has so much to offer in terms of gun control, secure abortions and other items important to us. His slip up should not be made into such a spectacle that the party is humiliated. We need to move on and govern!

Unless Trump and Kavanaugh resign there is no need for Northam to resign.

Conservatives get away with so much sexist and racist crap simply because they fight and fight and refuse to resign. Northam is not the same man now, and needs to beat the GOP at their own game.

Guess he’s got to beat his own party at its own game since so very many Demicrats want him to resign. If he was actually one of the people in the pictures, why would you recommend not resigning? What moral authority would he have to govern?

Because it was THIRTY FIVE TEARS AGO, decades before he was governor.

Why do people need to have a “moral authority” to govern?!
That rubs me the wrong way.
I reject the idea that we must only have elected officials who have lived pure and moral lives.
I accept the idea of redemption and grace and believe very strongly in “change.”
For those of you who don’t, I think you should examine what you’re willing to scarifice in order to have a “pure” governor or president.
Because I know very few who have gotten to adulthood without lapses in judgment or immoral decisions.

Thank you. Our founding fathers (misogyny alert) had little moral authority, even the still people who came to be known as Quaker’s. Moral people do not build countries; they pray for people who do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Northam resigns, his political career is finished.

Who would want to see him as a doctor??

Northam better learn how to code

Have you checked the records of the physicians in this country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Northam resigns, his political career is finished.

Who would want to see him as a doctor??

Northam better learn how to code

He can always join the GOP and make common cause with the likes of Steve King.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should now be a time of reflection, healing, and moving on.

The governor apologized for the picture, as he should have.

Fellow Democrats need to lay off of Northam. It does no good to pile on one of our own at such an important time.

We need to come together and heal. This is a prime example of a teachable moment.

Finally, we need to move on. Governor Northam has so much to offer in terms of gun control, secure abortions and other items important to us. His slip up should not be made into such a spectacle that the party is humiliated. We need to move on and govern!

Unless Trump and Kavanaugh resign there is no need for Northam to resign.

Conservatives get away with so much sexist and racist crap simply because they fight and fight and refuse to resign. Northam is not the same man now, and needs to beat the GOP at their own game.

Guess he’s got to beat his own party at its own game since so very many Demicrats want him to resign. If he was actually one of the people in the pictures, why would you recommend not resigning? What moral authority would he have to govern?

Because it was THIRTY FIVE TEARS AGO, decades before he was governor.

Why do people need to have a “moral authority” to govern?!
That rubs me the wrong way.
I reject the idea that we must only have elected officials who have lived pure and moral lives.
I accept the idea of redemption and grace and believe very strongly in “change.”
For those of you who don’t, I think you should examine what you’re willing to scarifice in order to have a “pure” governor or president.
Because I know very few who have gotten to adulthood without lapses in judgment or immoral decisions.

I tend to agree with you. I believe in redemption and that we shouldn't be punishing people for acts from 35 years ago.
However, the way he has handled this scandal is horrible. He has shown horrible judgment and his words have rung pretty hollow.
His comm team needs to find a different line of work, IMO.

This. He has acted like a total idiot since the photo was published. First, he releases a video that says so sorry, I’m in the photo, but won’t say which one. Then next day second, he says, oh never mind, I’m not in the photo, I didn’t have time to examine the photo yesterday before I made the video (because I guess he doesn’t have the internet like the rest of the world) so I take back what I said, it wasn’t me, the yearbook made a mistake. Then third, he has a goofy and weird press conference where he says again he isn’t in the photo but he did put black shoe polish on his face in the same year (1984) and entered a Michael Jackson dance contest, he confirms he won that contest, and confirms he can do the moonwalk, and fourth, at that press conference he starts laughing and almost tries to do the moonwalk before his wife (because in political scandals the wife always has to be standing there) stops him and says it’s not an appropriate time to do the mom walk. FFS what is going on?

Look, he might be a fine pediatrician, and he may be a swell guy, but sweet baby Jesus this guy is a nightmare. Even if he wasn’t in the picture, he wasn’t sure at first, meaning, well maybe I was in blackface or in a KKK robe. And he rushed to release that video. Then he flipped a switch and thinks it’s a o-k to change positions, that everyone makes mistakes, like lying or just saying whatever in a video to make people happy or make a scandal go away. He has zero credibility, he has zero tact, the party has zero faith in him now, he looks like he has zero intelligence, and that isn’t even touching the horrible racist aspect. It wasn’t one photo that is the problem anymore.

Most likely, he got the wrong advice.

He should resign. I don’t want him to, but he should. If he said from the beginning- that’s not me and I didn’t even know there wasn’t a medical school yearbook, it would be ok. Stuff like this happens- yearbook editors could have botched this up and we could blame the conservative media. But that isn’t what happened.

He has to resign and get some quiet time. His life in politics is over. And honestly- it’s not about what life was like back then. It’s about what life needs to be about in the now and the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Is there a test for racism? Who is the judge of racism? Should doctors, police, and teachers take some sort of a test to see if they are racist? I think we go down a huge rabbit hole when we start judging people, especially based on what they did 35 years ago.

Northam has done a lot of good in his life as evidenced by his military service, career as a doctor, and in political life so far. Judging him based on a picture from long ago seems a bit too far to me. I live in Virginia and I don't want this decision to be made in haste. Al Franken should not have been forced out either.

I really don't like all this calling people "racists." No question--blackface is a racist action, though. I didn't like on the talk shows today how so many were calling him an out and out racist--except for the fact that Northam, himself, tweeted during his campaign that Gillespie is a racist--which I do not believe to be true.

I guess I don't like calling children "bad." I taught school and would tell kids when they did something bad--but I never called a child "bad." I apply the same thing here.

And, yes, I do know that some people are racist--but this is being used far too often and takes away from the accusation when it is used so readily.

And, frankly, i do not believe that Trump is a racist--I believe that he is an Equal Opportunity Offender.

PLEASE READ http://bostonreview.net/race/lawrence-glickman-racially-tinged

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Is there a test for racism? Who is the judge of racism? Should doctors, police, and teachers take some sort of a test to see if they are racist? I think we go down a huge rabbit hole when we start judging people, especially based on what they did 35 years ago.

Northam has done a lot of good in his life as evidenced by his military service, career as a doctor, and in political life so far. Judging him based on a picture from long ago seems a bit too far to me. I live in Virginia and I don't want this decision to be made in haste. Al Franken should not have been forced out either.

I really don't like all this calling people "racists." No question--blackface is a racist action, though. I didn't like on the talk shows today how so many were calling him an out and out racist--except for the fact that Northam, himself, tweeted during his campaign that Gillespie is a racist--which I do not believe to be true.

I guess I don't like calling children "bad." I taught school and would tell kids when they did something bad--but I never called a child "bad." I apply the same thing here.

And, yes, I do know that some people are racist--but this is being used far too often and takes away from the accusation when it is used so readily.

And, frankly, i do not believe that Trump is a racist--I believe that he is an Equal Opportunity Offender.

Just in case you missed it, Trump refused to let his properties be rented to African Americans. He is on record as saying that African Americans are lazy. He is not an equal opportunity offender, but he is an ass to many people. That doesn't make him less racist.

Whataboutism.

You do realize you are defending bigoted Northam for purely partisan reasons, right?

And hat makes YOU a racist too, bigot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Is there a test for racism? Who is the judge of racism? Should doctors, police, and teachers take some sort of a test to see if they are racist? I think we go down a huge rabbit hole when we start judging people, especially based on what they did 35 years ago.

Northam has done a lot of good in his life as evidenced by his military service, career as a doctor, and in political life so far. Judging him based on a picture from long ago seems a bit too far to me. I live in Virginia and I don't want this decision to be made in haste. Al Franken should not have been forced out either.

I really don't like all this calling people "racists." No question--blackface is a racist action, though. I didn't like on the talk shows today how so many were calling him an out and out racist--except for the fact that Northam, himself, tweeted during his campaign that Gillespie is a racist--which I do not believe to be true.

I guess I don't like calling children "bad." I taught school and would tell kids when they did something bad--but I never called a child "bad." I apply the same thing here.

And, yes, I do know that some people are racist--but this is being used far too often and takes away from the accusation when it is used so readily.

And, frankly, i do not believe that Trump is a racist--I believe that he is an Equal Opportunity Offender.

Just in case you missed it, Trump refused to let his properties be rented to African Americans. He is on record as saying that African Americans are lazy. He is not an equal opportunity offender, but he is an ass to many people. That doesn't make him less racist.

Whataboutism.

You do realize you are defending bigoted Northam for purely partisan reasons, right?

And hat makes YOU a racist too, bigot.

DUDE I'm not defending Northam. I have posted like 50 times on this thread that he needs to resign! And Donald Trump is still racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think he needs to resign. It was a different time 35 years ago and I believe people can evolve and change in the meantime.

He just learned it was wrong! Do you think he can evolve enough in 3 days? He had 35 yrs to figure this stuff out.

Exactly.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think he needs to resign. It was a different time 35 years ago and I believe people can evolve and change in the meantime.

He just learned it was wrong! Do you think he can evolve enough in 3 days? He had 35 yrs to figure this stuff out.

Exactly.

Both of you are wrong. He learned that blackface was wrong quite some time ago. You must have misheard something.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think he needs to resign. It was a different time 35 years ago and I believe people can evolve and change in the meantime.

He just learned it was wrong! Do you think he can evolve enough in 3 days? He had 35 yrs to figure this stuff out.

Exactly.

Both of you are wrong. He learned that blackface was wrong quite some time ago. You must have misheard something.

If he really got how wrong it was, he would have known that it was or wasn't him in that picture right away. The idea that he could have been so drunk at a frat party that he doesn't remember if it was him, and he thinks that it IS okay shows that he may know it is wrong now but he doesn't get HOW wrong it is.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think he needs to resign. It was a different time 35 years ago and I believe people can evolve and change in the meantime.

He just learned it was wrong! Do you think he can evolve enough in 3 days? He had 35 yrs to figure this stuff out.

Exactly.

Both of you are wrong. He learned that blackface was wrong quite some time ago. You must have misheard something.

If he really got how wrong it was, he would have known that it was or wasn't him in that picture right away. The idea that he could have been so drunk at a frat party that he doesn't remember if it was him, and he thinks that it IS okay shows that he may know it is wrong now but he doesn't get HOW wrong it is.

You are inventing stories out of thin air. Who said he was so drunk that he couldn't remember? When did he say that he thought it was okay? He clearly screwed up by taking responsibility for the photo when he didn't think it was him. There is no good explanation for why he did that. There are many reasons to criticize the Governor. But you are simply making up things that aren't true. There is absolutely no need to do that.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think he needs to resign. It was a different time 35 years ago and I believe people can evolve and change in the meantime.

He just learned it was wrong! Do you think he can evolve enough in 3 days? He had 35 yrs to figure this stuff out.

Exactly.

Both of you are wrong. He learned that blackface was wrong quite some time ago. You must have misheard something.

If he really got how wrong it was, he would have known that it was or wasn't him in that picture right away. The idea that he could have been so drunk at a frat party that he doesn't remember if it was him, and he thinks that it IS okay shows that he may know it is wrong now but he doesn't get HOW wrong it is.

You are inventing stories out of thin air. Who said he was so drunk that he couldn't remember? When did he say that he thought it was okay? He clearly screwed up by taking responsibility for the photo when he didn't think it was him. There is no good explanation for why he did that. There are many reasons to criticize the Governor. But you are simply making up things that aren't true. There is absolutely no need to do that.

I would never have to wonder if I’m the one dressed like that in a photo, because I’ve never dressed like that. If he’s not sure if it was him, all he is saying is "I don’t think it was me THAT time".

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think he needs to resign. It was a different time 35 years ago and I believe people can evolve and change in the meantime.

He just learned it was wrong! Do you think he can evolve enough in 3 days? He had 35 yrs to figure this stuff out.

Exactly.

Both of you are wrong. He learned that blackface was wrong quite some time ago. You must have misheard something.

If he really got how wrong it was, he would have known that it was or wasn't him in that picture right away. The idea that he could have been so drunk at a frat party that he doesn't remember if it was him, and he thinks that it IS okay shows that he may know it is wrong now but he doesn't get HOW wrong it is.

You are inventing stories out of thin air. Who said he was so drunk that he couldn't remember? When did he say that he thought it was okay? He clearly screwed up by taking responsibility for the photo when he didn't think it was him. There is no good explanation for why he did that. There are many reasons to criticize the Governor. But you are simply making up things that aren't true. There is absolutely no need to do that.

I read the fraternity party thing somewhere, did not invent it. It was clearly not part of his official statement though, I will agree with you that it may not be an accurate attribution.

I would like to know WHY he didn't remember when he saw the picture THAT HE HAD NEVER DONE THAT. If you understand how bad it really was, then you would know. He clearly thought he COULD have done it.

He should have said, "I'm shocked and horrified that this is on my page. I am very sorry. I will find out how this happened."
Then if he has to later say, I was really drunk in 1984 and maybe did this at a party and I AM SO SORRY for the pain I have caused. I don't remember doing this.

Then that would have been different. But that isn't what he said. Instead he later said basically I have thought about it and I really remember doing blackface this other time, so I don't think this was me this time that is photographed on my year book page. And I won a contest as Michael Jackson. WTF!!!! That makes it all worse! Not, I have felt bad about doing black face as Michael Jackson for many years now, it has weighed on my conscience because I understand how hurtful that was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Is there a test for racism? Who is the judge of racism? Should doctors, police, and teachers take some sort of a test to see if they are racist? I think we go down a huge rabbit hole when we start judging people, especially based on what they did 35 years ago.

Northam has done a lot of good in his life as evidenced by his military service, career as a doctor, and in political life so far. Judging him based on a picture from long ago seems a bit too far to me. I live in Virginia and I don't want this decision to be made in haste. Al Franken should not have been forced out either.

I really don't like all this calling people "racists." No question--blackface is a racist action, though. I didn't like on the talk shows today how so many were calling him an out and out racist--except for the fact that Northam, himself, tweeted during his campaign that Gillespie is a racist--which I do not believe to be true.

I guess I don't like calling children "bad." I taught school and would tell kids when they did something bad--but I never called a child "bad." I apply the same thing here.

And, yes, I do know that some people are racist--but this is being used far too often and takes away from the accusation when it is used so readily.

And, frankly, i do not believe that Trump is a racist--I believe that he is an Equal Opportunity Offender.

Just in case you missed it, Trump refused to let his properties be rented to African Americans. He is on record as saying that African Americans are lazy. He is not an equal opportunity offender, but he is an ass to many people. That doesn't make him less racist.

Whataboutism.

You do realize you are defending bigoted Northam for purely partisan reasons, right?

And hat makes YOU a racist too, bigot.

DUDE I'm not defending Northam. I have posted like 50 times on this thread that he needs to resign! And Donald Trump is still racist.

This.

Plus, racism is impact. Intent matters, but not as much. Trump and Northam are racist.