Governor Northam of Virginia was recently criticized for having an old year book photo where he either was in blackface or wearing a KKK hood. The photo was from the first year his medical school desegregated and many white students were protesting the inclusion of a single black student. Northam was 28 at the time but refers to it as a youthful indiscretion. He has given no details as to how the photo came to be, or how he has grown past his youth as a racist activist.

He is a Democrat.

Not everyone on the left is taken down because of small “missteps”. For the most part people give a quick non-apology, mutter that their actions were “in a different time”, and completely fail to correct anything.

Three more high ranking VA democrats at this time are embroiled in similar scandals.

Having to live in a society where some people can get away with the worst things, creates an frustration that builds and builds. This leads to a backlash against anyone who isn’t politically connected even if their “crime” is a minor one. It’s a way to draw a line in the sand when you can, after living for decades in utter helplessness.

If we were a fair society, Northam would be forced to give a true accounting of his life, and step down. This reporter on the other hand, would not be fired.

I’m not sure if this is a disagreement, but I don’t think redemption has anything to do with it. It’s about power and persecution. A lot of cancel culture, in fact I would say all of it, it’s about exerting power and making someone else do something. So long as a group is rewarded for their behavior (outrage, condemnation, demands for cancellation) it will continue.