Gov. Ralph Northam’s now-infamous blackface-KKK yearbook photo may soon end his career. A large swath of the public, including many prominent liberals, progressives, and Democratic politicians, are demanding that the Virginia Democrat step down. Even notable institutions like the editorial board of the Richmond Times-Dispatch immediately called for Northam to step aside.
Northam now claims he wasn’t actually in the 1984 picture. If it’s later proven that he is in the photo, he should absolutely resign for lying while in office. Regardless, Northam admitted to dressing in blackface to impersonate Michael Jackson. But that offense, from more than three decades ago, would not alone constitute grounds for resignation.
If it’s revealed there’s more to the story than that awful decision, then yes, Northam should absolutely be out of office. Nasty behavior three decades ago is bad, but lying about that behavior today is disqualifying.
Still, on its own, in the context of Northam’s life and career, a single blackface incident from 1984 does not render Northam unfit for office.
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