# Virginia gov. yearbook page has Klan and blackface pictures **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 1, 2019, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809 "2019-02-01T22:05:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/241 "2019-02-04T01:17:11Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Or not. What he’s [now saying](https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/02/03/gov-northam-says-he-wasnt-in-racist-photo-wont-resign/23660026/) is that he’s not in that photo and hadn’t seen it before Friday. Do you really believe that? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/242 "2019-02-04T01:19:58Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > That is a remarkably stupid argument. You’re attacking the Republicans for something they haven’t done yet? What if Democrats murdered all the babies and fed them to their Lizardmen masters? That would be what’s worse than the Republicans accepting a racist. So Democrats are worse Nyah-nyah. > > Protip: posts work better if they’re based in reality. Attacking Republicans for what they haven’t done yet? They accepted Steve King for years. They supported Ron Desantis for using racial dog whistles. They support a racist president with a white nationalist administration. It’s not stupid; it’s your denials that are stupid. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/243 "2019-02-04T01:27:16Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > So because small societies such as this existed in 1984, there had been no significant change in whites’ attitudes towards blacks in Virginia since the days of Jim Crow? > > Gotcha. :rolleyes: I’m not arguing that white attitudes haven’t changed; they just haven’t always changed fast enough. Again, this is a photo in a medical school yearbook, and it’s also consistent with what was written in his VMI yearbook. It’s not like some private Polaroid photo that was taken when he was drunk at a frat party. This is a reflection of the society in which he lived. We’re talking about VMI society, medical school society, the graduates of which go on to become officers in the military, businessmen, physicians, or something else. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/244 "2019-02-04T01:32:56Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > I’m a 56 year old man. And I’m certain that I did something, said something or was tangentially evolved in something 25 to 35 years ago that by today’s standards would be offense. But things change, and social mores change. And I’m very uncomfortable that we are going to bring out actions from 35, 45, 55? years ago, judge them by today’s standards and take action on them. There are people in jail for crimes they committed 35, 45, 55 years ago, and people with permanent criminal records for things they did 35, 45, and 55 years ago. There are people killed by the state, either executed or ‘shot while resisting’ for things they did 35, 45, or 55 years ago. Also, why is there NOW so much wailing and gnashing of teeth about how you can’t hold someone accountable for 40-year-old actions or things they did when they were college aged, instead of back when politicians started accusing opponents of being draft dodgers? If you really shouldn’t be held accountable for decisions you made at 18, shouldn’t ‘draft dodging’ stop being mentioned at all. There’s a pretty big gap between anything that ‘would by today’s standards be offensive’ and ‘wearing a kkk outfit and/or blackface for a yearbook photo, and doing it so often you don’t even remember which incident of blackface/kkk photo this one is’. And there’s a pretty big gap between saying ‘yeah, I was pretty awful back in those days, but I’ve changed’ and ‘I apologiz… I mean, that’s not me, it must be someone else, yeah, that’s the ticket’. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/245 "2019-02-04T01:34:04Z")
So I just woke up. He still hasn’t quit. Imagine that. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/246 "2019-02-04T01:35:45Z")
Here it is Sunday evening and Northam still hasn’t resigned. Anyone want to predict what will break the camel’s back? The other guy in the photo comes forward? Demonstrations in Richmond? A sudden revelation about campaign finance irregularities? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/247 "2019-02-04T01:37:59Z")
Well, he’s probably watching the Super Bowl…alone. Though if he wanted to announce his resignation now is the time to get out of Dodge. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/248 "2019-02-04T01:41:28Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Here it is Sunday evening and Northam still hasn’t resigned. Anyone want to predict what will break the camel’s back? The other guy in the photo comes forward? Demonstrations in Richmond? A sudden revelation about campaign finance irregularities? [Northam calls Sunday night staff meeting as he considers resignation.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/pressure-mounts-for-northam-to-resign-as-allies-press-him-on-national-tv/2019/02/03/572f4538-27c1-11e9-b2fc-721718903bfc_story.html?utm_term=.062588e12480) > [@](#): > > By Gregory S. Schneider , > Laura Vozzella and > Jenna Portnoy > February 3 at 8:25 PM > > Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) called an unscheduled senior staff meeting Sunday night just before the start of the Super Bowl, as the governor considered resigning after two days of defiance amid a controversy over racist photos in his medical school yearbook. > > People familiar with the meeting said the governor had not reached a final decision about his fate. It was unclear who was there, besides that it involved senior staffers of color. But Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who would become governor if Northam resigned, was not there, the people said. > > Calling the Sunday night meeting was a clear signal of Northam’s effort to weigh support within the administration as he evaluates his options. Though he pledged on Saturday to stand his ground, he also said he would reconsider if he felt he could no longer be effective. Just a day later, resignation is an active consideration, the people said. > > The meeting was emotional, according to a Democratic official. Northam scheduled a larger meeting for Monday morning for administration staff, the official said. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/249 "2019-02-04T02:13:36Z")
I gotta figure, based on that, that he really doesn’t want to resign and see his ambitions end. But I also conjecture that he knows he’s done and needs to come to terms with it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/250 "2019-02-04T02:17:47Z")
He can’t have another term as Governor even if this totally blows over and everyone learns to love him. Any ambitions for Senate or the Presidency are gone for good over this. He won’t get out of the primary. The rest of his term will be useless because no one will work with him. He’s done. There is no way out. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/251 "2019-02-04T03:11:01Z")
Yeah, but it can take time for people to accept that sort of fate. In his head, he’s got to know he’s done. But his heart may not yet be ready to accept it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/252 "2019-02-04T03:19:04Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Yeah, but it can take time for people to accept that sort of fate. In his head, he’s got to know he’s done. But his heart may not yet be ready to accept it. Well, if it is not him, why shoudl he resign? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/253 "2019-02-04T03:20:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, if it is not him, why shoudl he resign? Do you really believe it’s not him? Really? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/254 "2019-02-04T03:28:28Z")
Northam isn’t resigning because he doesn’t feel the need to resign. After all, it was “a joke” among (white) friends, and besides, look what he’s done for the Negro in the time since. Would you rather have had Gillespie as governor? Northam “protected” the Negro from the Republican party’s racism; therefore, people should be grateful. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/255 "2019-02-04T03:31:51Z")
I assume he’s going to resign, but . . . remember Larry Craig? He announced he would resign then decided to serve out his term, and there was essentially nothing anyone could do about it. I think Northam’s in the same boat. His political future is dead, so why not hang onto a job that at least keeps giving you a steady paycheck and the possibility (however remote) that lightning could strike and he can find an angle to turn his fortunes around? From what I’ve read Virginia standard for impeachment is limited to acts in office, so he can’t be forced out. What does he gain by resigning? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/256 "2019-02-04T03:37:26Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Do you really believe it’s not him? Really? I dont know. Is it him? Or did they pull a prank on him? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/257 "2019-02-04T03:38:30Z")
I really want to hear from more people who went to school with him. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/258 "2019-02-04T04:28:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I dont know. Is it him? Or did they pull a prank on him? Not outside the realm of possibility, I suppose. But, if so, why did he initially own up to the photographs on Friday, before backtracking on them on Saturday? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/259 "2019-02-04T05:09:35Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Not outside the realm of possibility, I suppose. But, if so, why did he initially own up to the photographs on Friday, before backtracking on them on Saturday? what were his exact words? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/260 "2019-02-04T05:16:35Z")
> **[Gov. Northam releases apology video for yearbook photo | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/02/02/ralph-northam-twitter-statement-yearbook-photo-sot-vpx.cnn)** > > Democratic Governor Ralph Northam released video on Twitter of him apologizing for appearing in a racist photo of two people wearing blackface and a KKK robe in a 1984 yearbook. Correction: A previous version of this video misidentified Governor... He didnt admit it was him. He apologized for the photo and past indiscretions. That could well be he was sorry that the photo appeared on his page, not that he was in it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809.md?page=14)