Public officials feel the New York assemblyman's decision to wear Blackface shows he's "unworthy of a leadership position."
New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind might have apologized for his Blackface costume during a Purim party held in his home, but several public officials don't think it's enough and are calling for his resignation.
Assemblywoman Inez Barron and other leaders gathered at City Hall Tuesday to explain why Hikind is ill-fitted to remain in his position.
"Dov Hikind's latest antic is another reveal of who Dov Hikind really is," Barron said. "His assertion that he did not know that appearing in Blackface is offensive to Black people is incredulous. Mr. Hikind, your egregious behavior is shameful, degrading, unacceptable and unworthy of a leadership position."
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed when Barron's husband, City Councilman Charles Barron, called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to remove Hikind as Assistant Majority Leader because of "his inability to repent, to generally repent and 'get it.'"
Hikind initially asserted that his decision to dress up as a Black basketball player for Purim was in the spirit of the holiday to put on a costume and do "crazy stuff." He went so far as to say the public criticism "is political correctness to the absurd," but then apologized on Monday saying he didn't meant to hurt anyone.
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(Photo: AP Photo/Louis Lanzano, File)
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