In recent decades, Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has a good racial and civil rights record. But his inexplicable photo in his medical school yearbook, when he was 25, with (or as) someone in blackface and another in KKK robes and hood, has ended his effectiveness as the political leader in his state. It makes little difference in the court of public opinion whether he was in one of the repugnant disguises that appeared on his yearbook page.
If Governor Northam has the smarts and courage, he could turn his devastating mistake into a redeeming opportunity, and snatch some honor from the jaws of disgrace. The governor could step down and turn the office over to Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax — a bright young political star who would then become only the second black governor in Virginia’s history (“Ben Jealous, John Delaney join in calls for Virginia governor to resign,” Feb. 2).
If Governor Northam chose this enlightened course, he would become the unselfish public servant who apologized for his 35 year old mistake and did the right thing for his state, his party and for all the minorities who put him in office.
Roger Kostmayer