Gov. Ralph Northam Calls Slaves 'Indentured Servants' In Interview, Gets Corrected

[EffieBlack]

66. It's difficult to reconcile his attending desegregated schools with black students and the racist

behavior he engaged in as a medical student.

Last week, many people tried to explain away his behavior by pointing out that he was the product of a racist environment, as if he had no agency. But now, the fact that he attended desegregated schools is being used as some kind of proof of what's REALLY in his heart.

In fact, if he was raised in this integrated, diverse environment, there is NO excuse for his later behavior. But he definitely can't have it both ways.

What I see happening here is, just as you correctly note that a lot of whites that are not racist have a problem talking about slavery, a lot of whites also have difficulty calling out one of their own for racist behavior but, instead, make excuse after excuse for them, regardless the circumstances.