Redemption?

I believe in redemption. The recent revelation of a racist photograph on the yearbook page of the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, presents a perplexing conundrum. In a confusing move the Governor confessed to his involvement before he denied it. That seems a bridge too far on the

surface. It was taken in 1984 when it should have been more than obvious that such a photo was, at the very least, in poor taste. These days we attach the label of racist to such photos.

Northam states he was in medical school at the time so he would likely have been in the neighborhood of 23 years old. I, for one, would hate to be held to account for my actions at that age but he has chosen to enter public service. I really don't know what to believe in this matter but it is unfathomable to me that a candidate for public office would not try to get out ahead of such a matter that is so easily discovered, in a yearbook of all things. Wouldn't any politician be aware that opposition research would go to the yearbook in search of information to use against him? As a matter of fact, I am certain that is why this has surfaced although that has no bearing on the matter. The question I have is why didn't it show up during his gubernatorial campaign?

As citizens of the United States and as members of the Democratic Party we are ideologically and honor bound to condemn such behavior but it is less imperative that we deny an apologetic Governor who now denies it is him the right to hold office.

So, where do we as Democrats come down? This is already being used to challenge Democratic candidates for President and, as usual, the candidates are more than willing to throw anyone under the bus that could cause them to be less appealing to any constituency and we, as supporters of Democrats, are faced with the same accusations that could cause damage to our efforts to persuade voters.

So, what are we to do? Firstly, as in the case of the boy with the MAGA hat the condemnations have been rapid. Perhaps we need to slow down. Northam should be given a reasonable length of time, and that should be brief, to come up with a satisfactory and believable denial of participation. It shouldn't be too hard to determine the identities of the people in those disguises. Secondly, Northam is going to have to come up with a reason that his admitted use of blackface in an impersonation of Michael Jackson (although it is hard to imagine why blackface would be required) is not the same thing.

Absent verifiable and believable refutations of culpability Mr. Northam should resign. We can't make him do so but as citizens and as Democrats we must be able to state, without need for clarification, our disgust and refusal to allow racism a place in our society.

I do, however, find it a bit too coincidental that this only shows up after Virginia's efforts to rewrite the state's abortion laws and I don't for a minute believe that the two are not linked. But that does not matter. If the Governor is guilty and is lying he should be toast.

Yes, redemption is possible but it may not include public office.