NJ Councilman Apologizes For Halloween Blackface Photo

PITMAN, NJ — A newly-elected Pitman Councilman apologized over the weekend after a photo of him wearing blackface to a Halloween party surfaced online.

“In 2008 I purchased and wore a Flavor Flav costume to a Halloween party where guests were expected to dress as a celebrity,” Vince Kelly said. “At the time, Flavor Flav’s yelling of ‘yeah boy’ made him incredibly popular. Wearing the costume was a celebration of his fame. Years later I briefly used the picture as a cover photo on my Facebook page during the Halloween season, changed the picture after the season and frankly forgot about it until recent events.”

After Kelly and Courtney Susan Millward, both Republicans, defeated Democrats Paul Blass and Amy Rudley to claim two seats on Pitman Borough Council in last week’s elections, the Pitman Anti-Racist Collective (PARC) called on him to apologize for the photo, which had been taken 13 years earlier. Read more here: Newly Elected NJ Councilman Under Fire For Blackface Photo

In the photo, which appears to have been taken down, Kelly, who is white, is seen dressed up as Flava Flav standing next to a woman he dressed up as Peg Bundy.

“I do understand that we live in a very different time and today, even as a celebration of one’s fame, I would not even consider wearing a costume that included blackface,” Kelly said. “I apologize to anyone who may be hurt by my costume choice of years ago and will soon reach out to the Pitman Anti-Racist Collective, so we can hopefully schedule a meeting and have some open, honest dialogue.”

“PARC is relieved that Councilman-elect Kelly has apologized and acknowledged the gravity of appearing in blackface, reversing the statement he made one day prior,” in which he disputed any characterization of the makeup as “blackface,” PARC said in a statement. “PARC believes this is evidence that education about cultural issues can change hearts and minds. Our group looks forward to communicating with Councilman-elect Kelly, in hopes that further DEI training can improve his understanding of nuanced cultural issues in our town. PARC has reached out to the Gloucester County chapter of the NAACP for guidance moving forward.”

The group went on to say its intention is not to “cancel” Kelly, but to “educate him on the egregious practice of appearing in blackface, and the hurt it can cause to see an elected official engage in this practice.”

“We look forward to his communication and participation in DEI training, hopefully with the guidance of local anti-racist organizations like the NAACP,” PARC said.