Blackface

Events in Virginia have led me to call for a Constitutional amendment that forbids any person who has worn blackface from seeking public office. I write this reluctantly because my younger sister wore blackface in elementary school more than 60 years ago and sang "Mammy." At the time her goal had been to enter politics and become a senator; the teacher told her no, she could not be a senator but she could marry one. Things change.  Today she could become a senator, except for my amendment. 

Blackface is often a deliberate mocking of people of color, who are portrayed as dark beings with rhythm who can sing well and love their mothers despite being dumber than people with lighter skin.  

I don't know what has twisted medical education, empathy and the ability to reason for centuries in Virginia. Some historians have suggested a devotion to states rights, which seems unlikely.

The situation now is that the top three offices in Virginia are held by progressives who may well be the usual suspects.  If all three can be shamed into resigning, the next governor will be a scoundrel from the Trump party. That would violate the key rule in my political thinking, which is that you support your own damned scoundrels, not some Trump bad guy, but we'll see what happens next.