Many
have called for the resignation of Governor Ralph Northam. I am torn. I am not
ashamed to say I am conflicted. I understand the pain and horror of the African
Americans who call for his resignation as they internally quiver from the
“memories” that pour forth from their DNA. I understand the embarrassment of
some Caucasians as they are reminded of this shameful and foul aspect of our
joint American history. I understand the democrats who are embarrassed that one
of their own has been outed as participating in this despicable racist act.
Though the story is still evolving, all agree it is outrageous that a 25 year
old college educated man, whether it was Northam or another young man, was
willingly photographed in a KKK uniform, and the yearbook editors found it fit
to publish. I understand the outrage and silent glee of some Republicans who
act appalled at this Democrat’s deeds. For some of them, it is almost a breath
of fresh air, as their party is
consistently blasted and reprimanded by Democrats and others for not
fumigating the racist stench from their midst. The twenty-first century has
seen the Republican Party tarnished by its silence and seeming acceptance of
the racist attitudes and bigotry of party members.
I
am a historian and I know the roots of coonery, coons, blackface and all of its
racist underpinnings. I understand the pain and have witnessed the scars of
this vile, mostly cloistered element of American history. My parents and my 13
aunts and uncles were victimized by Jim Crow and all of its stench. I am the
daughter of southerners, and I grew up in the north during the great migration.
I
am not detached from the heart-wrenching pain. I have listened to and read the
stories. I have visited the museums and studied the unconscionable acts of many
Americans who were born and lived through the early to mid-twentieth century.
It is real. There are many elders Black and White who have haunting memories of
this pre and post-Civil Rights era. If one were born in the 1930s, 1940s or
1950s, the stories of “Bombingham, Alabama” or The Ghosts of Mississippi are as close as yesterday.
At
first, it is surprising to think that Northam who admired Michael Jackson (and
probably listened to the many Jackson Five hits when he was a child), knew how
to Moonwalk, and assuredly watched the videos and had in his music collection
Michael Jackson’s declaration that “We Are The World” and “It does not matter
if one is “Black or White,” would be caught in an act of blatant racism.
Initially, it may seem bewildering that in 1984 a school yearbook or a college
educated man would not understand or be sensitive to the fact that blackface or
dressing as a member of the KKK was insensitive and morally despicable. Yet,
Reverend Al Sharpton advises that the 1980s was not an era of innocence where
racism was in the past. He reminds us (and Jermaine Jackson’s memoir, You Are Not Alone, confirms) that
throughout The Jacksons record-breaking Victory tour the family was confronted
by racism and death threats. The truth is that some of us need to look in our
attics.
There
is justified fury and indignation; however, it is time to pause and be
honest. For the majority of Americans
who are Christian and are led by the words of Jesus, remember that Jesus said,
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Can any White American with
roots in this country honestly say that he nor any of his loved ones never
participated in an act that would in the present day be considered racist,
horrific or embarrassing? In the words of Joan Rivers, “Can we talk?”
Can
any Black American with roots in this country say that he has not been in the
presence of, supported or voted for a candidate that he knew in his heart was a
racist? Do the holier-than-thou Democrats know the history of their party or remember
that prior to the 1960s their party was the home of the KKK? Did the racism in
the party suddenly dissipate with the Civil Rights Act? Did all of the racist
Democrats suddenly seek redemption and ask for forgiveness from Black folks,
following in the footsteps of Governor George Wallace? How many of the outraged Republicans or
Democrats have read or reviewed James’s Allen’s Without Sanctuary? Is it possible that a beloved grandparent, older
sibling, aunt or uncle is pictured in a book which has vivid photographs of
public lynchings where the onlookers are enjoying the occasion?
Governor
Northam is only four years younger than I and one year older than my sister. He
went to school in the South. I went to
school in the North and had WASP, Italian,
and Jewish classmates. Northam is said to have had Black
classmates. If the truth be told, during
this period, it was not common for young people to discuss race and racism with
people who were not within their race. The politics of racism was relevant, but
it was not a central theme in a conversation with one’s white classmates. It
was not until I was in my late 20s that I engaged in conversations about race
with white and Jewish people. It was not until 2011 that I had a conversation
with a professor who admitted her grandparents did not like her liberal
attitudes and had ties to the KKK. She was honest. Her integrity was
refreshing. I respected her for it, and I think she was somewhat relieved to
confess her family’s past to a Black person who believes: Let he who judges be judged.
Today,
no one will deny the actions by the Governor, or his classmates are
reprehensible. If he is not the person in the picture, then his admission of
wearing Blackface to represent Michael Jackson shows that he was either unbelievably
ignorant or simply racist. He admits that though it was the 1980s, the times
were different and things which are today unacceptable were the norm in his
world. This is the truth and is evidenced by the images in his yearbook.
White
people: Be outraged, but Check your attic. Check your memories and
relationships with people of color. As governor Northam, what you or a loved
one may have considered having fun or a joke may have been a blatant act of
racism. Maybe, you have a clean record. However, how would you feel if one of
your parents was outed for at minimum insensitive, vile racist behavior? Black people: I know you are weary. The
continuous onslaught of subtle and open racism is burdensome. The constant
denials or suggestions that you are over sensitive because “He is not a
racist,” is taxing. There must be balance; yet, I know that when you smell racism seeping
from one’s core or dripping from the heart of colleagues, it is unnerving. When
the ignorant try to sanitize an American past that is quilted with a history
whom most want to deny, bury or minimalize, it is difficult to pray your way
through it as your ancestors. “We” forgave” Governor Wallace whose filmed
record of racial brutality spoke for itself. This governor has no such record.
Should he be forgiven? Does his record of public service or his policies shed
light on his heart or is his alleged sorrow convenient? I am conflicted.
I
say to all who have American roots what is in your closet? What is in your
attic? Can your past deeds tolerate the media light? At what point does one forgive? Can one who
is a bigot or a racist serve “We the People,” and when “We the People” have an
elected official guilty of an ignorant belief system, should he be asked to
resign? Is one ever released from the burden of deplorable belief systems?
Governor,
you made some African Americans question their trust of their white friends,
wondering if they have friends or colleagues who are hiding something in their
closets. Your conflicting statements, your understandable inability to admit
your circle of friends included die-hard racists, your poor explanation of why
you were referred to as “Coon man,” made you lose credibility in the eyes of
all who could see behind the mask. If the truth be told, your admiration of
Michael Jackson, your ability to do the Moonwalk, your apology and acknowledgement that
blackface was - is horrific, your conversation with your African American
friend Seth does not reduce the disdain that many African Americans feel when
they see your face or hear the pain in your voice.
My
fellow Americans: Let us talk about race. Let us talk about sexism, homophobia,
and all forms of bigotry. Let us not pretend this ugly past has disappeared
with the election of an African American President or a diverse Congress. Let
us not pretend that we do not have family members or friends who, at some point
in their lives, exhibited prejudice in some form or fashion which by today’s
standards would be unacceptable. Who among us can say he or she has not been in
the presence of someone who has said shameful things or made jokes about
another ethnicity, homosexuals or another religion and sat quietly, not wanting
to create conflict? It is an
uncomfortable conversation. It is hard. It can be embarrassing for some and
very painful for others. We cannot allow
racist deeds to be ignored and minimized or be led by those who do not
recognize the error of their ways. Yet, it is time we not throw away everyone
who asks to be forgiven for that which he is sincerely ashamed. Let he who is without sin, cast the first
stone.
Glenda
R. Taylor, Ph.D. is
a cultural critic, poet, and the author of Corridors
of Genius: Excavating The Consciousness, Creative Process, and Artistry of
Michael Jackson.
