There's a reason that we have a statute of limitations for many crimes. It's thought that for most crimes, a period of time in which the perpetrator lives an honest, productive life, usually seven years, should protect a person from prosecution.
Unfortunately, in the case of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, what he may or may not have done isn't even a crime (“Ben Jealous, John Delaney join in calls for Virginia governor to resign,” Feb. 2).
That's not to say that it wasn't a bad thing to do. It was bad, but it wasn't a crime or a misdemeanor. Therefore, there's no written statute of limitations.
It is time to recognize that even for a distant history of racism, the subsequent life well-lived within the bounds of civility and racial tolerance should allow Governor Northam to be given credit for having become a good citizen.
Impeaching him or asking him to resign is unjust.
Dr. Henry Farkas, Pikesville