NY lawmaker apologizes for wearing blackface costume
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A New York assemblyman has apologized after wearing blackface, an Afro wig and a basketball jersey to a costume party for a Jewish holiday.
New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind at first had vigorously defended his costume, which he wore to a Purim celebration. According to MyFoxNY.com, he described the criticism as "political correctness to the absurd. There is not a prejudiced bone in my body."
He explained on his blog: "It was Purim. People dress up."
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But colleagues quickly condemned Hikind's outfit. Assemblyman Karim Camara, with the state state Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, called the costume "callous and repugnant."
At a news conference outside his Brooklyn home, Hikind pledged to be "a little more careful, a little more sensitive." He added: "I repeat, it was not meant to in any way hurt anyone. And those that were? I'm sorry. That was not my intention."
The powerful leader of the Democrat-led Assembly, Speaker Sheldon Silver, weighed in shortly after Hikind's news conference, calling Hikind's actions "inappropriate and offensive." No action against Hikind was announced.
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Earlier this month, Hikind criticized the fashion designer John Galliano, who was recently photographed in New York City dressing as a Hasid with a long jacket and curly sidelocks. Two years ago, Galliano was fired from Christian Dior after his anti-Semitic rant was caught on video.
Hikind demanded an explanation from Galliano for his costume.
"If it was just anyone else, I wouldn't know what to say. But considering who this guy is, considering his background and what he's said in the past, let him explain it to all of us: Are you mocking us?" Hikind told the New York Post.
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On Jan. 31, Hikind asked the president of Brooklyn College to resign for failing to stop an event he said had a racist agenda. He wrote on his blog at the time that the "BDS Movement Against Israel" event called for a unilateral boycott against Israel and Israeli businesses.
In Albany, Hikind has championed some conservative and religion-based issues. In 2009, he opposed an early vote to legalize same-sex marriage
"It is about what I believe God wants," Hikind said then. "God doesn't flip-flop on an issue."
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.