This Black History month marks 400 years since Blacks were forcibly brought to America. It started with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam defending a 1984 racist black face photo standing next to a KKK member in his medical school yearbook page. As an African American, this photo makes my blood boil. Virginia Governor Northam is the latest white person to be caught in a racist compromising position. When Northam first spoke about his predicament, he manned up. He stated that the photo was “clearly racist and offensive.” But then he flip- flopped to his current position—denying that he is in the photo. That position evolved apparently as many politicians called for his resignation. To those many persons who are clueless about whites in black face, I suggest that you use the month of February to read up on it. White actors and musicians during the time of slavery and up to an including into the 1900’s would cover their faces in black dye and create stereotypical and racist portrayals of … [Read more...] about Ralph Northam’s Photo Makes My Blood Boil
VA
2015 DC/MD/VA Legal Stories to Watch
In 2015, there will be several interesting local DC/MD/VA legal stories to watch unfold starting this week. On Tuesday, January 6, Former Republican VA Governor Robert (“Bob”) McDonnell is scheduled to be sentenced on his 11 convictions for corruption in office. His wife, Maureen is scheduled to be sentenced later in February. And just as the case played out in the courtroom, it continued with the same theme after the trial. The defense of Bob McDonnell continued to throw wife Maureen McDonnell under the bus as the culprit for his demise. Daughters Jeanine McDonnell Zubowsky and Cailin McDonnell Young wrote letters to the judge saying in essence that their mother was to blame for everything. And dad, Bob McDonnell, never wished for any lavish items. The defense has requested three years of community service, in lieu of any jail time. McDonnell would be lucky to get as little as three years of jail. The prosecutors are seeking a ten year prison term. Over 400 letters of … [Read more...] about 2015 DC/MD/VA Legal Stories to Watch