Transcript for VA Gov. Ralph Northam speaks out amid backlash over 1984 racist yearbook photo

Yesterday. I took responsibility for content that appeared on my page in the Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. That was clearly racist and offensive. I am not and will not excuse the content. Of the photos. It was offensive. Races. And despicable. When my staff showed me the photo in question yesterday. I was seeing it for the first time. I did not purchase the VMS your book. And I was unaware of what was on my page. When I was confronted with the images yesterday. I was appalled. That they appeared on my page. But I believe them and now that I am not either of the people. In that photo. I stand by my statement of apology to the many Virginians who were hurt by seeing in this contest. On a yearbook page that belongs to make. It is disgusting. It is offensive. It is racist. And it was my responsibility. To recognize and prevent it from being published. In the birthplace. I recognize that many people find this difficult to believe. The photo appears with others I submit it on a page with my name on. Even in my own statement yesterday. I conceded that. Based on the evidence presented to me at the time the most likely explanation. That it was indeed me in the photo. In the hours since I made my statement yesterday. I reflect it with my family. And classmates. From the time and affirmed my conclusion. That I am not the person in that photo. Why did not appear in this photo I am not surprised. By its appearance in the EV MS yearbook. In the place and time where I grew off many actions that we rightfully recognized as abhorrent today. Were commonplace.

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