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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump and most of the DU community agree on something, sadly
"Yesterday I took responsibility for content that appeared on my page that was clearly racist and offensive. I will not excuse the content of the photo. It was offensive, racist and despicable. I was seeing it for the first time. I was unaware of what was on my page. I was appalled that they appeared on my page," Northam said at a lengthy press conference at Virginia's Executive Mansion.
"I believe now I am not either of the people in that photo. It is disgusting, offensive, racist," Northam said.
. . . .
President Donald Trump took multiple shots at the Democrat on Saturday night, tweeting, "Democrat Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia just stated, 'I believe that I am not either of the people in that photo.' This was 24 hours after apologizing for appearing in the picture and after making the most horrible statement on 'super' late term abortion. Unforgivable."
Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)just sayin
marble falls
(56,371 posts)hueymahl
(2,415 posts)It still came from his account.
Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)cyclonefence
(4,483 posts)by the change I've seen in posts here about l'affaire Northam. There are posters who have actually announced that reading what others here think has caused them to rethink not only their attitude about Northam but sometimes their entire history of response to racism. I think it's a grand tribute to the willingness of us Democrats to listen to unfamiliar views and learn from them, and to the humility it takes to realize we've been wrong. I've seen a real shift over the past two days, and it makes me proud.
As an aside, I've been moved to reflect about Joy Reid and my support for her. I was wrong, and it feels good to admit it. If the unharmed are not in a position to judge the harm caused by racists, surely the same is true for harm caused to gays and lesbians.
Empowerer
(3,900 posts)There are lots of things that Trump and Democrats agree about. Are you suggesting that people are wrong to think that Northam should resign because Trump has decided to take a shot at him because he's a Democrat?
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)And its far from sad that our community overwhelmingly rejects racism. That youd rather support racist attitudes because Trump called it out is fucking disgusting on your part.
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)You are just swell.
For the record, the use of blackface is racist and unacceptable. Like many, I have appreciated reading many thoughtful, heartfelt voices about this situation.
Pointing out that trump is taking advantage of this situation should not provoke that kind of response from you.
Empowerer
(3,900 posts)If that was your point, you would have just said that instead of saying "Trump and most of the DU community agree on something, sadly," which was clearly making an entirely different point.
You know that and we know that, notwithstanding your "who, ME?" posturing. And it deserved exactly the response you got from Dr. Hobbitstein.
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)Its disgusting and should be below contempt.
The fact is Trump is using this to his advantage. There seems to be an almost mob mentality on here when it comes to this issue. Very similar to how Franken got treated. That said, Northam probably needs to go. But lets all be aware that this story was driven by republicans and is being used as a wedge. It doesnt hurt to take a step back and move a little more slowly instead of getting the pitchforks out immediately.
Empowerer
(3,900 posts)But to your point, that "you're shutting down the argument by calling someone a racist" claim is a copout.
First, the "you're calling me a racist!" cry usually occurs in conversations in which no one was called a racist or anything close but, instead, where the conversation got uncomfortable to the white person involved in it. And the minute the white person gets uncomfortable - i.e., the black or allied conversant speaks their truth honestly - the white person manifests their sense of entitlement to control the time, place and content of the discussions, accuses their counterpart of calling them a racist, shuts down the conversation and walks away.
Black people are regularly insulted, offended and accused of any number of wrongs in virtually every frank conversation we try to have about race. But we don't whine about being mistreated and storm off or declare the conversation "shut down."
So please don't give me the "you're shutting down the conversation by calling someone racist." It's pure bullshit.
These conversations are hard. But you know what's REALLY hard? RACISM!
And if white people want to help overcome it, they need to grow a thicker skin - at least a tenth as thick as the one black people have to wear to get through our damned day every day. And then they need to out on their grown up pants, sit down, listen to what we have to say and stop whining and "shutting down the conversation" and running back to their safe, happy places every time they get their feelings hurt.
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)Youre trying to point out that its sad DU and Trump agree. Thats disgusting is all Im saying...
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Unreal
Empowerer
(3,900 posts)hueymahl
(2,415 posts)You seem to not fully understand irony.
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)I also fully understand what you were doing with this OP and its disgusting. No one called you a racist. Youre not a victim.
Empowerer
(3,900 posts)when there's nothing ironic about it?
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)Yet you and other posters continue to attack my character instead of dealing with the issues in a respectful manner. Irony indeed.
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)Please, enlighten me.
the fact that Trump or whoever wrote that tweet used the word " unforgivable" is the height of irony. Separating babies from their families and then proclaiming it is too difficult to reunite them is unforgivable. Destroying our country is unforgivable. Denying climate change and destroying our environment is unforgivable. The list of unforgivables for this monster who is our president could go on forfucking ever.
LuvLoogie
(6,855 posts)He agrees with the sentiment of the photos.
nini
(16,670 posts)Trump is a malignant lying narcissistic pig who spends his life accusing others of things he is guilty of himself.
People at DU are genuinely fed up with racism.
Why the hell this is even considered a legit comparison by anyone is ridiculous.
JHB
(37,133 posts)...but that doesn't mean Democrats "agree" with him. He's deflecting and throwing blame on his opposition, just like he's done since he first entered the toddlerhood he's never actually left.
But Northam's "I believe now I am not either of the people in that photo" stance? One of them is wearing a Klan hood and robe. The other is full-on, "Al Jolsen singing 'Mammy'"-grade blackface, and apparently a wig. Enough effort went into them that there should be some recall 35 years later, particularly with a photo to jog the memory.
Either he dressed up that way or not, and if the answer were "not" then he'd have been able to say "that's not me because I never dressed like that". But that wasn't his answer. He acknowledged it, but backtracked with "I don't think I'm one of the people in the photo". Is that supposed to mean "Yes I dressed like that but I'm not in that photo, those are two other guys at the same school wearing the same sort of things", like that's better?
There are some things he could have said. Instead of blandly stating "that's not who I am today", he could have gone into that journey a bit. That's a message we need these days, when the leader of the Republican party is actively encouraging all manner of bigots to unfurl their banners and stand proud.
But no, he took the path of defensiveness and evasion. One might even add: "sadly".
And you need nothing more than that to account for the growth of the "chorus".
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,151 posts)seems to indicate we're not really sure about doing the right thing.