Northam acknowledges appearing in blackface, KKK costume photo, but resists calls to resign

Gov. Ralph Northam apologized Friday evening for a photo in his medical school yearbook showing a man in blackface and a person wearing a KKK robe, but resisted growing calls for his resignation, saying he intends to serve out the remainder of his term.

BREAKING: Gov. Ralph Northam yearbook page shows blackface and Klan photo https://t.co/6A89ejp5Ho

— The Virginian-Pilot (@virginianpilot) February 1, 2019

In a statement, Northam said he was “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.”

He added: “This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today.”

While he confirmed he was in the photo, he did not say whether he was the person wearing black face or the person wearing the KKK robe.

The images began circulating Friday afternoon after they were published by right-wing news site Big League Politics. Staff at the Eastern Virginia Medical School library confirmed to the Mercury that the images were genuine and The Virginian-Pilot also independently obtained a copy.

The revelation came at the end of a week that thrust Virginia into the national spotlight via a debate over abortion restrictions.

“I recognize that it will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused,” Northam said in a statement. “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.”

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus said in a statement it was “still processing what we have seen about the governor but unequivocally say that what has been revealed is disgusting, reprehensible and offensive.

“We feel complete betrayal. … These pictures rip off the scabs of an excruciatingly painful history and are a piercing reminder of this nation’s sins. Those who would excuse the pictures are just as culpable.”

Northam resisted calls to resign, which have come from both the right and left, saying in a video he posted on Twitter that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term.

Among those calling for him to step down on Friday evening were the head of the national NAACP, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and two of the state’s newly elected Democratic congresswomen, Abigail Spanberger and Elaine Luria.

“This isn’t about politics, this is about what is right and wrong,” Luria wrote.