Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Long before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got in trouble for wearing blackface, lots of politicians from all walks of life were caught in similar situations.
In fact, recent disclosures of politicians who imitate the racist practices of the past to ridicule black people and humiliate them by putting on blackface and a a bandana (as 404th District Judge candidate Ricardo Adobbati above and pretending to emulate Aunt Jemima, the corn syrup brand) are just the latest local manifestation.
Blackface dates to nearly 200 years, when white performers darkened their faces with polish to mock enslaved Africans in minstrel shows. These displays depicted black people as lazy, ignorant, cowardly or hypersexual. It was racist and offensive then and still is today.
We understand that in other Halloween parties, Adobbati has also dressed as a Girl Scout and a lady of the evening (a prostitute). What's up with that?
The only difference between the politicians who have been rebuked for using blackface did it many years ago and pleaded youthful indiscretion for their transgression. We understand that Adobbati wore his black face within the last three years. He is now the municipal judge for Rancho Viejo.
Below is a list of politicians who – like Adobbati – have crossed the line wearing blackface:
*Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, in 1980, while at the University of Virginia.
*Virginia Governor Ralph Northam dressed up in blackface to mimic Michael Jackson in a 1980s dance contest.
*Louisiana House of Representatives candidate Robbie Gattie, wore black face and dressed like Tiger Woods in a church event.
*South Carolina county council candidate Brant Tomlinson.
*Former Florida Secretary of State Mike Erte, dressed like a Hurricane Katrina victim at a Halloween party.
*Illinois State Senate candidate Hal PAtton dressed up as a black football player.
*Florida State Rep. Anthony Sabatini dressed as shi best friend.
*The police department in Baton Rouge, La., apologized after a yearbook photo showed two police officers dressed in blackface as part of an undercover operation...
Adobbati is in good company, wouldn't you say?