“It is incredibly hypocritical to call for Governor Northam’s resignation while at the same time spend all of his donations,” said RPV Chairman Jack Wilson.
Gaslighting Governor Northam Blames ‘White Privilege’ For Racist Photos
As embattled Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) attempts to rehabilitate his image in the week and a half since his extraordinary racial controversy began, he continues to show the Commonwealth and the nation at-large that he can no longer effectively govern. During an interview with Gayle King on “CBS This Morning” that aired Monday, not only did Northam call African slaves brought to colonial Virginia “indentured servants,” but now chalks up his racist photos to “white privilege.”
The fallout comes after a photo was released depicting Northam dressed either in blackface or in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood in his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. Shortly after the photo went viral, Northam confirmed that it was him depicted in the photo, but would not say which one he was dressed as – a man in blackface, or a man wearing KKK robes.
That night, he published a video statement explaining his remorse.
“I am deeply sorry. I cannot change the decisions I 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 of regaining your trust,” he said.
However, at a very odd press conference the following day, he walked back his admission, claiming that he was not in the photo, but then told a tale of when he did appear in blackface at a 1984 dance contest in San Antonio, Texas, dressed as Michael Jackson. Northam said he had “shoe polish” on his “cheeks” as a part of the costume.
“I have always liked Michael Jackson,” he said, noting that he did win the contest. He added that he “learned to do the moonwalk.”
The governor, after being asked by a reporter if he could still moonwalk, then grinned and looked to his right and left to find room to attempt to show off his dance. His wife, Pam, then said to him “inappropriate circumstances” as he was surrounded by a crowd of stunned reporters.
Dodging widespread calls for his resignation, protests in front of the Executive Mansion in Richmond, and even disappearing from the public eye for a few days, he then began his “I’m sorry” tour to explain his actions and announce that he will take on the responsibility of racial reconciliator for the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2022.
During the interview, King asked Northam, “what have you learned that you didn’t know before.”
“Well, several things, starting with I was born in white privilege and that has implications to it and it is much different the way a white person such as myself is treated in this country,” he said.
“Did you not know that you were born into white privilege?” King asked, interrupting the governor.
“I knew I was, Ms. King, but I didn’t realize, really, the powerful implications of that,” Northam explained. “And again, talking to a lot of friends, that has come crystally clear to me this week. I’ve also learned why the use of blackface is so offensive. And yes, I knew it in the past, but reality has really set in.”
When asked whether or not he knew appearing in blackface was offensive in the past, Northam said that he believes “we’re all on a learning curve.”
“Certainly, Ms. King, I am not the same person now at age 59 that I was back in my early 20s,” he added. “This is a week that has been very eye-opening to me.”
Therefore, Governor Northam did not know it was offensive to don blackface. Not only did he not know it was offensive in 1984, but he apparently did not know it is still offensive in 2019.
It is quite tough to actually analyze the entire situation that has embroiled Virginia’s governor. When it comes to “crisis communications 101,” Northam has written the complete annotated anthology of what not to say and what not to do.
To recap: he admitted to appearing in a racist photo, did not say if he was either dressed as a cartoonish blackface character or in the uniform of a white supremacy group, he then recanted saying that was not him in the photo, he changed his story, he told reporters he won a dance contest dressed in blackface as Michael Jackson, he almost moonwalked in front of national reporters, his wife told him not to moonwalk, he showed off his historical ineptness, and then chalked this all up to white privilege.
Questioning Virginians’ sanity for his own mistakes? If gaslighting needed a clear definition – here it is.
Furthermore, the question that has still yet to be fully answered is why Northam admitted to being the photo in the first place. In another part of the interview, he said he did it out of “shock” when seeing the photo, but that answer leaves a lot to be desired.
As well, his nickname while a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in the early 1980s was “Coonman,” a racial epithet. Why would he be called that unless it had a meaning?
Why wasn’t he asked about that in the CBS interview?
What is truly unbelievable, rather, what is truly fiction-turned-fact, is that literally every person in his own party is calling for him to resign, which is actually quite a conservative statement. There is most likely not one current elected Democratic office holder who has said he should stay in office.
To give a bit of perspective on that, let’s be honest here.
One can find a Democrat to support anything: Venezuela’s Maduro, Syria’s Assad, boycotting In-N-Out Burger, taxing cow farts, infanticide, blaming plastic straws for climate change, removing troops from Guam because the island will “tip over,” anything. But, there is not one Democrat supporting him on this.
Every day governor Northam remains in office is another day the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to be a punchline for skits on “Saturday Night Live,” a comedic comparison to the political process, and an erosion of the “Virginia Way.”
He needs to leave, immediately.
Fairfax Scandal Deepens As Staffers Resign, Accusers Look To Testify
Although Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) presided over the Virginia State Senate during Monday’s session on Bank Street in Richmond, the effects of his scandal have deepened as four of his aides have resigned amid the sexual assault controversy. Currently, Fairfax is battling back against two accusers, one who said he sexually assaulted her in 2004, and one who said he raped her while in college in 2000.
Dr. Vanessa Tyson, a Scripps College professor, has alleged that Fairfax sexually assaulted her at the 2004 Boston Democratic National Convention. In her statement published by the New York Times, Dr. Tyson said she came forward after the news of Fairfax’s likely elevation to the top political position in Virginia as the governor is embroiled in racial controversy, because it “flooded” her with “painful memories, bringing back feelings of grief, shame, and anger that stemmed from an incident with Mr. Fairfax.”
Meredith Wilson, a student at Duke University in 2000, while Fairfax also attended the North Carolina college, came forth last week with allegations that she was raped by Fairfax in a “premeditated and aggressive” fashion.
Fairfax has called the accusations “false and unsubstantiated,” a “totally fabricated story,” and “demonstrably false.” The lieutenant governor has also accused staffers of embattled Governor Ralph Northam (D) for leaking the sexual assault allegations and engaging in a “vicious and coordinated smear campaign” to derail his pathway to the governor’s office.
In a raucous press conference in the crowded capitol rotunda, Fairfax reiterated “how important it is for us to listen to women,” but an NBC News reporter caught Fairfax saying “f*** that b****” as he tried to discredit Dr. Tyson during a private meeting last Monday night.
In a recent press release from Nancy Erika Smith, Watson’s attorney with New Jersey-based Smith Mullin, P.C., comments rang out against Fairfax as she claims that he wishes to quash the allegations and defame his accusers in “secret” meetings.
“After Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson reported that Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax raped them, Fairfax said he wanted ‘due process’. Impeachment hearings would have provided just that. It turns out that Mr. Fairfax does not want due process; he wants to assault the character of his victims in secret, not in public, and certainly not under oath,” she said.
Smith stated that Watson and Dr. Tyson are asking for a hearing to testify to the alleged crimes Fairfax committed, expressing that they “reject a secret and delayed proceeding.”
Regardless, Virginia’s second in command is resisting widespread pressure from nearly all elected leaders, both Democrat and Republican, to step down from his post.
As the scandal continues to garner the national spotlight, two of Fairfax’s three government aides, policy director Adele McClure and scheduling director Julia Billingsley have left his staff, as well as employees from his political action committee, executive director Dave Mills of We Rise Together and fundraiser Courtney McCargo.
PAC communications director Lauren Burke and chief of staff Larry Roberts, however, still remain in their posts.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Mills, interestingly, is the husband of State Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) who is now being considered as a serious contender to replace Fairfax as lieutenant governor should he resign or be removed from office.
His removal from office via the introduction of articles of impeachment weakened yesterday following Delegate Partick Hope (D-Arlington) announcing on Twitter late last week, “On Monday, I will be introducing articles of impeachment for Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax if he has not resigned before then.”
After Delegate Hope said he sent draft language for articles of impeachment to his colleagues, he received an “enormous amount of sincere and thoughtful feedback which has led to additional conversations that need to take place before anything is filed.”
Although Fairfax continues to call for an FBI investigation into the sexual assault allegations, it is unclear why he is proceeding that route. As a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, he must know that the FBI has no jurisdiction in the matter because the alleged incidents are neither federal crimes, nor is the investigation within the agency’s extent of background checks for certain federal officials.
A spokesperson for Fairfax has also relayed that the lieutenant governor has voiced skepticism about a legislative investigation, stating that he “believes that an inherently political process is not the most likely path for learning the truth.”
With the job of lieutenant governor being a part-time position, Fairfax’s joined San Franciso-based law firm Morrison & Foerster in early 2018. Following the scandal, however, the firm placed him on paid leave.
“We take the allegations against Justin very seriously. As a firm, we believe that it is important to seriously listen to any allegation of sexual assault or harassment, and to treat all persons making such allegations with respect and sensitivity,” the firm’s Chairman Larren Nashelsky said.
Fairfax’s growing sexual scandal is just one-third of the situation surrounding the Commonwealth’s Democrat-led executive branch.
Governor Northam reportedly appeared in a photo in his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) yearbook either in blackface or in Ku Klux Klan robes. He first confirmed that he was in the photo – not saying which one – then backpedaled the day following at a very odd press conference, which included an attempt to “moonwalk” in front of reporters and his wife, Pam, telling him “inappropriate circumstances.”
Attorney General Mark Herring (D) admitted to wearing blackface to look like black rapper Kurtis Blow at a party at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1980. His admission came just days after he previously called for Northam’s resignation for also appearing in racist photos.
RPV Accosts Democrats For Giving AG Herring Hypocritical ‘Hall Pass’
“What is the difference between Governor Northam’s blackface and AG Herring’s?” RPV Chairman Jack Wilson asks.
Dixie Drama Continues: Virginia AG Mark Herring Appeared In ‘Blackface’ Racist Photo
As the entirety of Virginia’s executive branch is now roiled in scandal, will the Democratic Party denounce what are seen now as widespread signs of racism with their leaders?
When Will Governor Ralph Northam’s Cabinet Call For His Resignation?
As the racial controversy surrounding Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) continues, the question must be asked: When will his Cabinet join political leaders from both sides of the aisle in calling for his resignation?
During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Northam fought back against calls from nearly every elected official in the Commonwealth – both Democrat and Republican – in demanding for his resignation, letting Virginia move forward from a disgusting chapter in its history.
Photos were released on Friday depicting the governor dressed either in “blackface” or in a Ku Klux Klan uniform in his 1984 medical college yearbook, and of a yearbook Northam appeared in while at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in the early 1980s that included multiple nicknames, one of which was “Coonman,” a racial epithet.
Shortly after the first photo went viral, Governor Northam confirmed that it was him dressed as such, but would not say which one. However, he then recanted, claiming that he was not one of the two men that appeared in racist garb.
At the seemingly-cartoonish press conference, Northam stood by his apology to Virginians, but told a story about an instance in 1984 when he did appear in blackface at a “dance contest” in San Antonio, Texas, dressed as pop star Michael Jackson. He said he had “shoe polish” on his “cheeks” as a part of the costume.
“I have always liked Michael Jackson. I won the contest,” he said to a crowd of reporters, adding that he “learned to do the moonwalk.” When asked by one in the room if he could still moonwalk, he cracked a smile and looked for room to his left, alluding to wanting to try and demonstrate his rug-cutting ability in front of dozens of reporters and government officials. However, his wife, Pam, then said “inappropriate circumstances,” causing the governor to back off performing the iconic dance move.
On Sunday night during the Super Bowl, Governor Northam met with key staff members for an unscheduled meeting, apparently considering his next move. Protests continue to mount outside the Executive Mansion in downtown Richmond with hundreds calling for him to step down.
As for the future of Governor Northam’s term, which ends in January 2022, he said during the press conference, “If we get to the point where we feel that we’re not effective, that we’re not efficient, not only for our caucuses, but the Commonwealth of Virginia, then we will revisit this and make decisions.”
It has become evident that his position as the political leader of the Commonwealth is now ineffective. The governorship has become tarnished by Northam’s refusal to step down. All the while, Virginia still has business to do, and cannot continue to be marred by the racial controversy Northam ushered into the spotlight.
Nevertheless, will members of Northam’s Cabinet join lawmakers and elected officials across the Commonwealth and the United Stated in calling for his resignation?
His Cabinet is listed as the following: Chief of Staff Clark Mercer, Deputy Chief of Staff Suzette Denslow, Commonwealth Secretary Kelly Thomasson, Administration Secretary Keyanna Conner, Agriculture Secretary Bettina Ring, Commerce Secretary Brian Ball, Education Secretary Atif Qarni, Finance Secretary Aubrey Layne, Health and Human Resources Secretary Daniel Carey, Natural Resources Secretary Matthew Strickler, Homeland Security Secretary Brian Moran, Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine, Veterans and Defense Secretary Carlos Hopkins, Workforce Advisor Megan Healy, and Counsel to the Governor Rita Davis.
Dixie Debacle: Virginia’s Governor Northam Fails To Resign Amid Racial Controversy
Ralph Northam, Virginia’s moonwalking, formerly-blackface governor, will not resign, but says he will “revisit” the decision if he is not “effective or efficient.”
Governor Northam Gaslights Again, Now Questions Whether He Was In Racist Photo
After apologizing to the Commonwealth last night for appearing in racist garb in his medical college yearbook, and the subsequent calls for his resignation, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) is now questioning the photo that was released. He now says he does not believe it was him in the photo, even after confirming it was Friday night.
The photo that was released Friday depicted him dressed either in “blackface” or in a Ku Klux Klan uniform in his medical college yearbook. Shortly after the photo went viral, Governor Northam confirmed that it was him depicted, but would not say which one.
The Virginian-Pilot reported the photo yesterday afternoon from the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook.
In the hours following, the governor released a statement:
“Earlier today, a website published a photograph of me from my 1984 medical school yearbook in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive. I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now. This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine, and in public service. But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes Virginians’ faith in that commitment. I recognize that it will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused. I am ready to do that important work. The first step is to offer my sincerest apology and to state my absolute commitment to living up to the expectations Virginians set for me when they elected me to be their Governor.”
Furthermore, a second photo has surfaced of Northam’s yearbook while at the Virginia Military Institute in the early 1980s. His picture included multiple nicknames, one of which was “Coonman,” a racial epithet.
A protest at the Governor’s Mansion that began Saturday morning is still going on with citizens calling for Northam’s “immediate” resignation.
The Democratic Party of Virginia said on Twitter hours ago, “We made the decision to let Governor Northam do the correct thing and resign this morning – we have gotten word he will not do so this morning.”
Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia Jack Wilson appeared on CNN Friday night with host Anderson Cooper, stating that Governor Northam “should resign for the good of the Commonwealth.”
Protest For Ralph Northam’s Resignation Forming Outside Richmond Governor’s Mansion
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) confirmed yesterday he was either in “blackface” or wearing a KKK uniform in his medical college yearbook.