The three cases, of course, aren’t identical. Wearing blackface, as both Northam and Herring admit doing, is a far less serious offense than sexually assaulting women, which Fairfax denies doing. The behavior of Northam and Herring suggests that in their younger days they were blind to the ugly history of blackface. But their records in public life don’t suggest they are bigoted or indifferent to the concerns of African-Americans. As for Fairfax, Virginians may reasonably want more than the word of accusers before demanding an officeholder’s head.