Social Media Slams Gov. Ralph Northam For Refusing To Resign

Governor Ralph Northam addresses the media the day after a photo of a person in Blackface and another dressed in a KKK uniform were discovered on his page in his medical school yearbook.

Source: The Washington Post / Getty

The controversy around Gov. Ralph Northam continues. A member of the Democratic party, Northam is currently under fire over racist images found on his medical school yearbook page.

Northam initially apologized for appearing in the photo, but in a recent press conference, he retracted his previous statement denying that he participated in the taking the picture.

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The backlash was immediate. Concerned citizens took to social media to comment on the issue. Celebrities, politicians, and even former governor, Doug Wilder — the first African American to hold the office in the Commonwealth, weighed in:

I stated, earlier, that Gov. Northam’s continuing in office was his choice to make. It is difficult for anyone who watched the press conference today to conclude that he has any other choice … but to resign.

— L. Douglas Wilder (@GovernorWilder) February 3, 2019

Despite the mounting pressure, Gov. Northam is digging in, determined not to leave office.

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I have not changed my position. The Governor didn’t put anything behind us by creating even more confusion, anger and disbelief. I still believe the Governor should do the honorable thing and step down so we can move forward.

— Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) February 2, 2019

In Virginia’s Dem primary for Governor, Dems were convinced vote 4 the “moderate” Ralph Northam because he could “pick up Republican votes.” Voters were told to reject the progressive candidate Tom Perriello. Now they’ve learned what centerism got them. A hood & some shoe polish

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 3, 2019

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I write these words with careful consideration and sober thought. My full response/letter will be shared tomorrow during our services and shared on our social media pages. Below is an excerpt of my thoughts: “The recent revelations of our Governor, regardless of their year, have once again resurfaced the deep thread of racial injustice and distrust that has so deeply stained our country, and especially the Commonwealth of Virginia. I stand with those who call for his immediate resignation. This does not discredit his contributions in Pediatric care, military service, or public service, but it is clear that with these stains of racism in the fabric of his character, he is no longer qualified to help us move forward with civility, reconciliation, or unity as a state. While I am an advocate for grace, Grace is not always a substitute for accountability. This is unacceptable, disheartening, and inconsistent with what it means to represent all peoples you are called to serve. Any alternative outcomes are a clear representation of privilege and problematic to the hope of “trust” from people of color in our state.” I will release the full letter tomorrow. But for now…let’s pray and persist in our efforts towards a just and equitable land.

A post shared by Vernon Gordon (@vernongordon) on Feb 2, 2019 at 9:55am PST

Hey @RalphNortham You wrecked it. You can’t moonwalk your way out. Resign and let the people of VA heal and move on.

— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) February 3, 2019

The way to stop being disappointed with politicians is to NOT allow them into ur 🏠 of worship or in ur presence. We now have the information we need abt a political figure online ready to be researched. Most politicians r hoping ppl DON'T research so they can slither n2 office!

— Walter Hudson (@walterhudon17) February 3, 2019

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Uh oh…. 😮 Second day of February. ITS ONLY FEBRUARY. Black History Month😏

A post shared by Cam Cooper (@realcamcooper) on Feb 2, 2019 at 12:23pm PST

Wow! This Michael Jackson documentary on HBO is simply unbelievable! Oh wait. Sorry, I’m watching the Ralph Northam press conference.

— Dennis Miller (@DennisDMZ) February 3, 2019

You stood in my church pulpit and talked about unity, love and peace knowing all along you despised the sight of us! Disappointed is not a strong enough word to express how I feel😢

— Tonya Hall-Lynch (@LynchTyh06) February 2, 2019

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Hey @governorralphnortham, inquiring minds want to know…#ralphbreakstheinternet #Infanticide #abortion #ralphnortham #ReproductiveHealthAct #Genocide #Saturday #Virginia

A post shared by Dr. Christopher J. Metzler 🇺🇸 (@drchrismetzler) on Feb 2, 2019 at 9:06am PST

The way to stop being disappointed with politicians is to NOT allow them into ur 🏠 of worship or in ur presence. We now have the information we need abt a political figure online ready to be researched. Most politicians r hoping ppl DON'T research so they can slither n2 office!

— Walter Hudson (@walterhudon17) February 3, 2019

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You been following this foolishness in Virginia? I waited to hear out Governor Northam at his press conference, even after he switched positions from yesterday and I read he was refusing to resign. He gotta get a better crisis strategy than going The Full Shaggy ‘it wasn’t me in the picture on my yearbook page and further, I’ve never seen this picture or even the yearbook before’ . Sir. Your damage control is more damaging. 😂😂. You’re insulting the intelligence of The People and after you’ve lost the support of your entire party. You’ve lost your ability to effectively lead. I know Sir wants to save his job and there’s no plan B, but God will provide. In the meantime, he gotta go. Virginia can’t take this. He’s one of the 99 Problems. I’d be shocked if he’s still in office by Friday. • Sir said it wasn’t him in the picture, but the same year, he dressed up as Michael Jackson and he used shoe polish to “darken” his skin… but he wasn’t in blackface. 🌚🌚 WTH??? And he name dropped his black aide. Translation: I have black friends. 😂😂 Sir. Step away from the mic. Get off this stage with these shenanigans. • My only question is how didn’t this come out during the campaign? And why is wife up there? This is your screw up. Not hers. Why she gotta be a prop and share your messy photo op? She couldn’t console you backstage after?? #blackhistorymonth #ralphnortham #thisisamerica

A post shared by Demetria L. Lucas (@demetriallucas) on Feb 2, 2019 at 12:14pm PST

Take one: I did it, it was racist & shameful. I am SO sorry.

Take two: I’m not in the pic.

Take three: I didn’t know the pic was on my page.

Take four: The yearbook made a mistake & put that pic on my page, w/o my knowledge.

*sigh*

Just RESIGN, dude!

cc: @GovernorVA https://t.co/yZupyHwphZ

— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) February 3, 2019

Too late, @governorva. Democrat or Republican, you are out.

It is only through your resignation that you can show this country the seriousness of racism – and if you refuse to leave, all dems must turn on you.

There is no "but whatabout" 1984 is not that long ago. Resign.

— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) February 2, 2019

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has got to go. These pictures came out from his medical school yearbook. He was a grown man approaching 30 when he picked this. It’s the “i don’t know if that’s me that has me pissed. Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? Leave a comment. #ralphnortham #virginia #politics #racist #blackface

A post shared by George Wrighster (@georgewrighster) on Feb 2, 2019 at 10:28am PST

pic.twitter.com/pGvAF2dl05

— Mauty480 (@Mauty480) February 2, 2019

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You know it’s bad when blackface is your best case scenario

A post shared by Reese Waters (@reesewaters) on Feb 2, 2019 at 11:53am PST

Hey Ralph, were you the one in blackface or the klan robe? Or did you wear both so often you can’t remember?

— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) February 2, 2019