Gayle King corrects Northam for referring to slaves as ‘indentured servants’

“CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King corrected Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) after he referred to slaves as “indentured servants.”

The comment came in Northam’s first televised interview since he began facing calls to resign over a blackface scandal, in which he urged healing. 

“We are now at the 400-year anniversary — just 90 miles from here in 1619. The first indentured servants from Africa landed on our shores in Old Point Comfort, what we call now Fort Monroe, and while—,” Northam said, before King cut him off.

“Also known as slavery,” King said.

“Yes,” Northam responded.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam: “We are now at the 400-year anniversary — just 90 miles from here in 1619. The first indentured servants from Africa landed on our shores in Old Point Comfort, what we call now Fort Monroe, and while—”@GayleKing: “Also known as slavery” pic.twitter.com/AiX96MU1rJ

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019

The full interview will air Monday.

{mosads}The Virginia Democrat has rejected calls to resign coming from within his own party over a photo on his medical school yearbook page that shows one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe.

Northam initially apologized for the photo, but later backtracked and said he does not remember being in it. In his new interview with King, Northam said he is “not going anywhere” despite the calls to step down.

Sunday’s exchange was called out on social media, with some Twitter users pushing for Northam to resign.

“Words like ‘Indentured servant’ is how people try to erase the pain and horrors of slavery. It is how they think it harmless to wear blackface,” wrote author Julissa Arce. “[Ralph Northam] is done. If he won’t resign, he needs to be forced out.”

Hey @GovernorVA @RalphNortham,
Before you embarrass yourself with another ignorant response to a softball, open-ended question, do some homework.
Slave:https://t.co/ebD1xJ1VjM
Indentured servant:https://t.co/ybDSgR2rGh
Or better: Study after resigning. You’ll have lots of time. https://t.co/Nk63ub7xje

— Mike Carter-Conneen (@MikeCConTV) February 10, 2019

Words like “Indentured servant” is how people try to erase the pain and horrors of slavery. It is how they think it harmless to wear blackface. @RalphNortham is done. If he won’t resign, he needs to be forced out. https://t.co/2MfDIFtdX6

— Julissa Arce (@julissaarce) February 10, 2019

My God, it just gets worse & worse.

Asked about this week in VA, Northam responds by referring to kidnapped, enslaved, & trafficked Africans as “indentured servants.”‍♂️

Thank you @GayleKing for shutting that downpic.twitter.com/PpPm0xceua

— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) February 10, 2019