Commentary
COMMENTARY: Governor Northam Starts Black History Month with Photo of Blackface
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “The governor can apologize, but the damage was done decades ago, and everyday he is a reminder of bigotry, racism and White Supremacy. He has created a crisis in the Democratic Party in Virginia and the country, and it cannot be resolved without his resignation.” — Roger Caldwell
By Roger Caldwell, NNPA Newswire Contributor
When the Republicans are calling for a Democratic governor to step down from his office because of a racist photo, something must be horrific and shocking. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, during Black History month (February 2nd, 2019), acknowledged that a photo in his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical College yearbook was him dressed in a KKK robe and hood or blackface.
Most Americans of any race or culture would consider this offensive, and someone must be held accountable for this breach of trust. Many would expect anyone connected in any way to this despicable display of sickness would automatically resign from office. But in the state of Virginia, they must operate on a different set of principles.
On Friday Senator Tim Kaine made a statement that read, “The racist photo from Governor Northam’s 1984 yearbook is horrible. This causes pain in a state and a country where centuries of racism have already left an open wound. I hope the Governor – whose career as an Army officer, pediatrician and public official has always manifested a commitment to justice and equality for all – now takes the time to listen to those he has hurt and reflect on how to move forward.”
Even though Senator Kaine acknowledged that this act was despicable and horrible, he did not ask the governor to resign. He and his fellow senator of the state of Virginia, Senator Mark Warner, released statements that called for the governor to listen to the people, and consider the communities he hurt.
It is obvious that the community that this picture impacted the most was the Black community, and the Black community leadership was very vocal, and they expect the governor to resign. This is not a situation that the Black press will allow to be swept under the rug, and there is no excuse that can be made to justify this behavior from the governor.
The subject of racism is very difficult to discuss in 2019, and it appears that our president has gotten away with many derogatory racist statements.
When President Trump continues to get away with calling Mexicans and Latinos people with problems, drug dealers, criminals, or rapists, he creates division in the country. By continuing to demonize a race and people of color in America, these ridiculous statements from the White House get Trump supporters to believe these lies.
When racism is uncovered or exposed by anyone a change must take place.
The NAACP’s president and CEO, Derrick Johnson, immediately called for Governor Northam to resign on the day the event was exposed. The list [calling for the Governor’s resignation] continues to grow in the state and the [state’s] two senators have joined the Virginia Congressional Delegation, led by Rep. Bobby Scott, who believes the governor cannot effectively serve in his position with this cloud hanging over his record.
On the next day, which was Saturday, Governor Northam changed his statement and denied being in the medical school yearbook photo but admitted to wearing Blackface while dressing up like Michael Jackson at a dance contest. At the time of the writing of the article, the governor has vowed to remain in office despite widespread calls for his resignation.
As the list calling for the governor’s resignation continues to grow, it makes no sense for him to continue to fight for his political career. The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Eric Holder, Tom Perez, Hillary Clinton, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Joe Biden, every Democratic presidential candidate running for office, U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, (Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus), and singer John Legend, have all called for his resignation.
The governor can apologize, but the damage was done decades ago, and everyday he is a reminder of bigotry, racism and White Supremacy. He has created a crisis in the Democratic Party in Virginia and the country, and it cannot be resolved without his resignation.
Pass the baton to the Lt. Governor, Justin Fairfax, a Black man, and the Virginia Democratic Party can move forward with no regrets, and a breath of fresh air.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025

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OP-ED: Like Physicians, U.S. Health Institutions Must ‘First, Do No Harm’
Coupled with their lack of government and healthcare-related experience, we are concerned these nominees will significantly undermine public health, increase the number of uninsured people, worsen health outcomes, and exacerbate health disparities. Physicians observe Hippocrates’ maxim to “First Do No Harm,”, and we urge Trump administration officials to do the same. It is critical that the leadership of HHS and its agencies make decisions based on facts, evidence, and science. Misinformation and disinformation must not guide policymaking decisions and undermine evidence-based public health strategies. Spreading these falsehoods also erodes trust in our public institutions.

By Albert L. Brooks MD
Special to The Post
Presidential administrations significantly impact the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities.
Through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the agencies within it, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the National Institutes of Health, this new administration will decide how financial resources are allocated, dictate the focus of federal research, and determine how our public health care insurance systems are managed, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Vaccines for Children program, Medicare, and Medicaid.
The decisions made over the next four years will impact all Americans but will be felt more acutely by those most underserved and vulnerable.
As physicians, we are greatly concerned by the nominations announced by President Trump to critical healthcare related positions. Many of their previous statements and positions are rooted in misinformation.
Coupled with their lack of government and healthcare-related experience, we are concerned these nominees will significantly undermine public health, increase the number of uninsured people, worsen health outcomes, and exacerbate health disparities. Physicians observe Hippocrates’ maxim to “First Do No Harm,”, and we urge Trump administration officials to do the same.
It is critical that the leadership of HHS and its agencies make decisions based on facts, evidence, and science. Misinformation and disinformation must not guide policymaking decisions and undermine evidence-based public health strategies. Spreading these falsehoods also erodes trust in our public institutions.
Vaccines, in particular, have been a target of disinformation by some HHS nominees. In fact, research continues to confirm that vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccines go through multiple rounds of clinical trials prior to being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for administration to the public.
Vaccines protect against life-threateningdiseasessuch as measles, polio, tetanus, and meningococcal disease and, when used effectively, have beenshowntoeliminateorsubstantiallyreducediseaseprevalenceand/orseverity.
Because of vaccine mis- and disinformation, there has been a resurgence in vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough, endangering those who are too young or unable to be vaccinated.
Several nominees have spread disinformation alleging that fluoride in public drinking water is harmful. In fact, fluoride in drinking water at the recommended level of 0.7 parts per million, like we have in our EBMUD water, is safe and keeps teeth strong. Because of public health interventions dating back to the 1960s that have resulted in 72.3% of the U.S. population now having access to fluoridated water, there has been a reduction in cavities by about 25% in both children and adults.
We also encourage the next administration to invest in our public health infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of public health agencies in preventing and responding to health crises in our communities.
Health departments at the state and local levels rely on federal funding support and technical assistance to develop public health response plans, implement public health strategies, and work with on the ground organizations to serve hard to reach communities. Public health agencies are critical for protecting everyone in our communities, regardless of income-level, insurance status, or housing status.
Health officials should also work to protect the significant improvements in insurance coverage that have occurred since the passage of theACAin 2010.According to HHS, the numberofuninsuredAmericansfellfrom48millionin2010to25.6millionin2023.
California has led the way by investing in Medi-Cal and expanding eligibility for enrollment. In fact, it reached its lowest uninsured rate ever in 2022 at 6.2%. Voters affirmed this commitment to expanding and protecting access to care in November by passing Proposition 35, which significantly expanded funding for California’s Medi-Cal program. The administration should advance policies that strengthen the ACA, Medicaid, and Medicare and improve access to affordable health care.
Regardless of the president in power, physicians will always put the best interests of our patients and communities at the forefront. We will continue to be a resource to our patients, providing evidence-based and scientifically proven information and striving to better their lives and our community’s health. We urge the new Trump administration to do the same.
Albert L. Brooks MD is the immediate past president of the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association, which represents 6,000 East Bay physicians.
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Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025
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