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Blackface Backlash Againist Virginia Music Promoter

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A music promoter in Virginia is facing backlash on social media for dressing in blackface as part of his Halloween costume over the weekend.

Multiple news outlets report that Chris Bopst apologized for his actions after posting a photo of himself on Facebook on Saturday dressed in blackface with a red bow on his head with the caption "I am pretty."

He took the photo at a Halloween party at Richmond's Balliceaux restaurant, where he booked music. He has since resigned.

Bopst said in a Facebook post Monday he wore the costume to be thought-provoking and funny but has since realized that the costume was in poor taste.

On its Facebook page, Balliceaux apologized for what happened, saying the costume went unnoticed "due to dim lighting and a busy atmosphere."

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.