Anti-Redskins Campaigner Apologizes for Blackface Halloween Costume

Apache Native American leader Terry Rambler, a prominent activist campaigning to change the name of the Washington Redskins, apologized Thursday for posting a photograph of himself in blackface dressed as Bob Marley for Halloween.

“Recently, I posted on my Facebook page a picture of my Halloween costume dressed up in reggae style,” he wrote on Facebook, the Washington Post reports. “I did this thinking I wanted to dress up as one of my favorite musicians, Bob Marley. But in hindsight, it was a poor choice I made. I am not a racist and I did not mean to offend anyone but I realize I did. There is no one to blame but me. I take full responsibility for my action.”

“I ask for forgiveness from the public and to anyone I may have offended,” Rambler said.

Rambler’s choice of costume was especially controversial in light of his prominent role as a Native American activist. He has been outspoken in favor of changing the name of the Washington Redskins football team, which Rambler and others deem racially offensive. Two years ago he visited the White House, where he discussed the issue with President Obama.

[The Washington Post]