Jesus H Christ

A Virginia Military Institute yearbook overseen by future state Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment in 1968 features a host of racist photos and slurs, including blackface.

[...]

The N-word is used at least once. A student listed as being from Bangkok, Thailand, is referred to as a “Chink” and “Jap.”

A blurb under one man’s picture says: “He was known as the 'Barracks Jew’ having his fingers in the finances of the entire Corps.”

[...]

Norment, R-James City County, was managing editor of The Bomb publication that year.

[...]

The Bomb has been published continuously since 1897. The first black students were allowed to enroll at the institute in the fall of 1968.

When a reporter asked Norment to talk about the yearbook Thursday, the majority leader said, “The only thing I’m talking about today is the budget.”

[...]

Despite all of the distractions from the continuing controversies involving our statewide elected officials, I am intent on fulfilling the work of the people of Virginia by passing a fiscally responsible budget that provides tax relief for working families.”

[...]

Hours later, he said in a statement issued by a spokesman: “The use of blackface is abhorrent in our society and I emphatically condemn it. As one of seven working on a 359-page yearbook, I cannot endorse or associate myself with every photo, entry, or word on each page. However, I am not in any of the photos referenced on pages 82 or 122, nor did I take any of the photos in question.

“As my comment on Page 236 notes, I supported the integration of VMI. And in 1997, I led the effort to have my alma mater include women for the first time.”

[...]

Shortly after [his] statement was issued, when the Senate adjourned for the day in mid-afternoon, Norment left through an alternative entrance to avoid reporters waiting outside the chamber.

  The Virginia Pilot

Apparently, this was a thing in Virginia.   Maybe still is.

North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and West Virginia are scrambling to burn their yearbooks, no doubt.

..but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE: