A photo of Georgia state Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, dressed in blackface 12 years ago has been circulated on social media.
“I hate that this photo has been divided along political lines,” Carpenter said in a Facebook post Saturday. “I understand this is bigger than just politics. While America has a deep history confronting racial tensions, I never intended to make it worse.”
The Oakwood Cafe and Carpentry Hotel operator dressed as rapper Ye, who changed his name from Kanye West, at a couple’s party, according to a previous reply to a post about the pictures.
Carpenter can be seen in the photo painted black and with a dark goatee, standing next to his wife, who was supposed to be dressed as Kim Kardashian.
“Kanye West definitely has some questionable views on public matters. He’s still no doubt one of the greatest music performers of that generation. In my mind, I would think that this was how far we’ve come as a society. That if you respect someone, skin tone does not matter,” Carpenter said in the Facebook post. “That position missed the mark for many. For that, I apologize. Hindsight is 20/20, and it was a poor decision. However, I do hope this country can get to a place where we don’t take things so seriously.”