Music

Kurtis Blow Condemns Virginia AG for Once Using Blackface to Imitate Him

Earlier this week, Virginia's Attorney General Mark Herring admitted to wearing blackface almost 40 years ago while he was undergrad.

Kurtis Blow
Image via Getty/Dominik Bindl
Getty

Earlier this week, Virginia's Attorney General Mark Herring admitted to wearing blackface almost 40 years ago while he was undergrad. "In 1980, when I was a 19-year-old undergraduate in college, some friends suggested we attend a party dressed like rappers we listened to at the time, like Kurtis Blow, and perform a song," he wrote in a statement. Kurtis Blow has read the apology, and he's not impressed.

Blow expressed his dismay during a TMZ Live.

"It’s shocking. I was shocked, totally shocked," he said. "You know, being the elder spokesman, a father, a minister, a husband, I find it totally offensive and disrespectful, degrading. It’s ugly. You know, I’m praying for my man Mr. Herring right now."

"When you paint your face, that is the most egregious and disrespectful thing you can do considering what we’ve been through," Blow said in another conversation the Washington Times."It’s opening up some deep, historical scars."

Kurtis also talked about the controversy on his Instagram, saying that he hoped that these "regrettable actions can be turned into teachable moments." Check out the post below and the TMZ appearance above.

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