At a costume party at his Brooklyn home to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim, New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind dressed in a basketball jersey, afro wig, and blackface. The politician’s outrageous outfit has enraged black leaders and community residents.
Hikind, who originally defended his blackface get-up, later apologized and said he did not mean to hurt anyone’s feelings.
At a news conference outside his Brooklyn home, Hikind said he would be a little more careful and sensitive. “It was not meant to in any way hurt anyone. And those that were? I’m sorry. That was not my intention,” he said.
Assemblyman Karim Camara of the state Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus reprimanded Hikind’s actions, calling it, “callous and repugnant.â€