Democratic NY Assemblyman defends blackface getup at Purim party

[Baltimatt]

Dov Hikind

A prominent Brooklyn assemblyman defended himself on Monday after attracting attention for wearing blackface to a party he hosted this weekend to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. The assemblyman, Dov Hikind, a Democrat who has been a longtime power broker in the Orthodox Jewish community, wore an Afro wig, orange jersey, sunglasses and brown makeup or face paint as part of a costume that Mr. Hikind said represented a “black basketball player.”

“I was just, I think, I was trying to emulate, you know, maybe some of these basketball players,” Mr. Hikind told The New York Observer. “Someone gave me a uniform, someone gave me the hair of the actual, you know, sort of a black basketball player.”

Hair of the actual, you know, sort of black basketball player. Uh huh.

[Cameron]

My son was Eddie Murray for Halloween back when he was in Little League.

He had a better wig, but it was still an Afro.

[ivanbalt]

Remake of Soul Man?

[Jeebus]

What's the big deal, he has a D after his name. Non-story.

However, an "R" would have made a hug difference to the hypocritical reactionaries.....

[Morgan208]

What's the big deal, he has a D after his name. Non-story.

However, an "R" would have made a hug difference to the hypocritical reactionaries.....

Dov, is a Jewish politician who is only concerned Jewish issues. This will not hurt him one bit and you are right, he's not a republican so the "nothing to see here " mentality will kick in.

[RavnFreek]

You guys beat me to it. Personally I could care less. I don't think anyone would actually be offended by this. but somehow if the was an (R) there would be a major scandal and would be forced to apologize for his racist antics. Labeled a racist and driven out of his political seat.

[Cameron]

This explains all:

He endorsed Pataki for governor.

He endorsed George Bush.

John McCain

Mitt Romney

Looking to run for higher office, Hikind may sound like Jesse Jackson ("We should really all get along and respect each other"), but his positions remain predictably conservative. He's still endorsing Republicans, he's still pro-life, he's still antigay. . .

http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-06-...s-the-old-dov/

[RavnFreek]

This explains all:

He endorsed Pataki for governor.

He endorsed George Bush.

John McCain

Mitt Romney

Explains what?

[Fang]

What's the big deal, he has a D after his name. Non-story.

However, an "R" would have made a hug difference to the hypocritical reactionaries.....

LOL So true...

[ms maggie]

Idiots come from all corners, all parties, all religions. How could this guy not realize this would cause a ruckus? Idiot.

[queenie]

Idiots come from all corners, all parties, all religions. How could this guy not realize this would cause a ruckus? Idiot.

yep....he's the perfect politician!!!

I like that his wife was a "devil".....LOL!!!

[sigmalady]

At least it wasn't the Al Jolson version of blackface.