And then they use it to try to get us to take our eye off the ball.

I'm not condoning what the Governor did all those years ago at all. It was bad. It was really bad.

BUT, realistically, we've all had a moment or two in our lives that have been less than stellar. I can look back at my life and think of a few times a whole lot of years ago that I've done something about which I was later embarrassed or ashamed. I remember a particular time when I actually said something that was racially insensitive, and a co-worker was offended. It was a stupid joke. I apologized profusely, but she didn't forgive me and she barely spoke to me ever again. I still feel absolutely horrible about it to this day. It was a learning experience for me, but I sure do wish I could go back in time and do things differently.

I forgive others a whole lot quicker than I'm ever able to forgive myself.

Black people are your own. Without us Democrats pretty much lose every time. Stop excusing this away and trying to make it okay. It's pissing me, and many other black people, off.

of blatant racism and sexism that would begin if we swept things like this under the rug.

How quickly everyone wants to excuse hateful and bigoted behavior aimed at the very core of our base.

It's not ok. I think we should forgive, but he should still do the right thing and resign. His resignation would make a big statement and would go a long way towards his atonement.

Is he an ally or not? That is not for me to answer

A lot of hypocrisy showing itself lately here on DU.

Having integrity can sometimes suck, but it's worth having.

Damned right, if by “condemn” you mean “choose not to accept as an elected official.”

jettisoning soldiers our foes on the right have managed to turn into weapons against us.

And this isn't all about racism, though that's certainly involved. It's about liberal, diverse democracy versus transition to right-wing nationalist authoritarian government by a mainly white 0.01%.

When's the last time a Republican was elected president without massive election corruption and voter suppression? 1980? The conservative white man's party was losing to inevitable demographic and liberalizing forces, and we thought it would have to change. Well it did, but not the way we thought.

The Democratic Party is fighting to save democracy, and those controlling the Republican Party are determined to replace it with some form of right-wing nationalist authoritarianism run by wealthy classes. But they will not have Governor Northram to batter and divide us with right up through November 2, 2020.

for redress of Jim Crow and modern racism.

He now has better motivation to right the wrongs of Virginia as he has suffered humiliation and will call out for new laws and will condemn future Charlottesvilles.

I appreciate those questioning whether this implies no one can ever make amends for prior horrific decisions/mistakes, but honestly, the time to have done that was BEFORE the election.

Dems HAVE to push back. We can't just give ammo to the "BothSides Do It" meme in MSM.

the only way to elect officeholders who aren't racist would be to either have the state parties do more extensive research into candidates' personal histories and/or to elect anyone-but-white for the next 30 to 40 years with the assumption the racism would be minimal in the future.

system influence the behavior of young white males (especially) toward race.

Had Northam or any candidate for higher office been up front about his past while simultaneously showing a pattern of behaviors and policies that honestly sought to improve race relations and reduce systemic inequalities, I think such past behavior would not be an ongoing issue.

While I do agree that this behavior is entrenched in many (and especially young men) in the Deep South, I disagree that it is necessary to ignore it when it comes to light for 'fear' of having no DEMS to elect. While I do hope more opportunities exist for POC and women (and not only as a result of this phenomenon), I do not agree that should exclude qualified candidates of any race or gender who atone for prior beliefs and actions.

There may be a narrow path for Northam to follow in order to remain, but his comments so far don't suggest that he will. I frankly think his remaining in office will cripple him.

As an African American, I will never trust someone who wore blackface at 25 to look out for my best interests. Yes we have racist in the highest office of the land but he gets away with it because Dems don't call him out about it enough.

Northam should resign. BUT, within the next hour hour Dems should hold a press conference reading every racist statement tweeted or made by Trump and ask their republican counterparts if he should remain in office. Better yet, they should given a power point of his racist and vile tweets.

I don't know how he can be an effective governor after this.

I definitely agree with your idea about us Democrats shining a big spotlight on everything said and done by -45 and every damned repuke out there. We've played too nice for too long.

I hope I am not judged today for the bullshit things I did in college during the 80’s. I was an idiot. In particular I said some pretty homophobic stuff.

There was virtually no coverage of the 4th of July Russia trip by American lawmakers. Thirty year old photos can be bad, but they won't destroy our country.

He has to go, and obviously so.

What he did was stupid, awful and totally racist! But, it was a while ago, Virginia was much more a southern state 35 years ago, and he has lived a good and productive life since then. Folks should we let the far right determine who are our leaders? They did it to Al Franken! They will keep it up and try to convince us that our elected government leaders must go for long past transgressions. If the right is so concerned about civil rights. why aren't they calling for Trumps resignation because he was fined by the Federal Govt. For refusing to rent to black people 40 years ago?

"If the right is so concerned about civil rights. why aren't they calling for Trumps resignation because he was fined by the Federal Govt. For refusing to rent to black people 40 years ago?"

They're hypocrites. Their method is to divert attention so we don't see all the ugliness on their side.

We play too nice. JMO

His continued presence broadcasts a message to the nation that people of color are not represented or taken seriously in our party. Democrats strive to be inclusive, but not to the point of accepting racist behavior or images. While I believe he has grown and the photo does not reflect who he is today, it does not negate the damage done.

If he is serious about upholding Democratic values, he will resign.

the ONLY thing about him that ever has or will matter about him.

It is the sum total of his entire life.

Or so I'm told.