Don't want to resign, Gov. Northam? Then do this:

[Squinch]

The threads here saying "oh, he was just a boy, it was just a mistake, it was 35 years ago" are clearly bullshit. Wearing a KKK hood and robes wasn't acceptable then, it isn't acceptable now, and on the face of it someone who didn't know that in 1984 does not deserve to be a Democratic Governor today.

AND, no, a "sincere apology" is not going to do it.

HOWEVER, there is something you can do, Governor. Make it matter. Show atonement. Meet with black, female, LGBT leaders. Devise a legislative plan - a practical one - that introduces the most sweeping anti-discrimination plan that you or they can imagine. Make that the signature of your administration. Make it serious. Don't bullshit us, because we are watching you and right now we know who you are. Convince us you are something else.

Johnson was a racist. He ushered in the Civil Rights Act.

Don't apologize. Start something now. Start something big. Prove you have changed.

[underpants]

1. Northam has been very involved with at least two of the leaders you mentioned

He invested a lot of time in black churches when he was first running in Norfolk and his home church pastor is black.

Last spring there was a big pride event here in Richmond. We were supposed to go so my daughter (all her choice) could be with and support her friend who is gay or at least is becoming more comfortable with who she is. We couldn't make due to something else coming up but....I read that the Governor of Virginia was going to be there and speak. I was gobsmacked. This was unthinkable 10 years ago let alone the Virginia I grew up moving here in the mid 70's. Then I realized it was Northam. He needs to resign but he really is a good man. By all accounts I've heard from people who've met him, he really is a guy who changed and for real - it's authentic.

[Squinch]

2. That might make him a more effective legislator for civil rights than another person might

be. But he would have to be overt and insistent about it, and really outline a plan that says he's serious.

[PeeJ52]

3. Just call tRump and Kavanaugh and find out how they got away with their crap...

if it worked for them, and they are actually HEROES, to their people now, then it should work for you. After all, you were young. Even Fox News wouldn't hold it against you. You even went and apologized. tRump and Kavanaugh never even admitted they did anything wrong. Maybe that's where you screwed up. Maybe you should have said you liked beer back then.

[MyOwnPeace]

4. Complicated issue....

but wow, look at the number of different threads started.
Still have not made up my own mind - but I'm not gonna' say "good people on both sides!&quot - but, boy, you really nailed it with this line:

"Maybe you should have said you liked beer back then."

[PeeJ52]

5. It is... We don't know the context of that pic...

I wonder how many are started by trolls? I know it's stupid, but if you think, doesn't it look like it says even the most extreme racial caricatures can get along now? VMI is only 6% black now. I would imagine it was even lower in 1984. I don't know. I'm just sick of Democrats seemingly eating our own when Republicans make heroes out of their assholes.

[Adrahil]

6. People can and do change...

I said and did some stuff when I was 25 that makes me cringe now.

But the point was s good. DO something.