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By Hannah Meisel
* From the Belleville News-Democrat. Patton is running as a third-party candidate after having been kicked off the GOP primary ballot…
At a Halloween party at his friend’s house at least 10 years ago, state Senate candidate Hal Patton was photographed dressed in an orange football jersey, wearing a black bandana on his head, and his face painted black.
Patton, the Edwardsville mayor who also has been in public office for nearly 20 years holding positions such as City Council member and Madison County Board member, is seeking the seat currently held by state Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton. Haine is not running for re-election.
In the photo, obtained by the Belleville News Democrat from Democratic operatives, Patton is smiling while holding a drink at the Halloween party.
Patton confirmed the photo is of him, and said it was taken at least 10 years ago. He said he was dressed as a rapper.
“There was never any intention for it to be an act of racism or racial commentary. It was a rapper,” Patton said in an interview. “At the time, Run DMC and others were rappers. That was the look. I hate to say I regret a Halloween costume, in the sense it wasn’t meant to make a statement about anything in politics or anything in race relations or anything in that nature.”
He added, “I’ve certainly live my life above board and with the best principles that you can. I have lots of friends from every race and every country — that is how I’ve always lived my life.”
The rest of the story is here.
*** UPDATE 12:34 p.m. ***
* The BND published a full statement from Patton…
Having served the public for almost twenty years as an Edwardsville Alderman, Madison County Board Member, and now as Mayor, I have been on the ballot ten different times and involved in many challenging races. So nothing really surprises me in terms of the nasty tricks opponents will try. Typically, the more desperate the opponent, the lower they will go.
This particular picture has been threatened to be used in my last three races. It was taken at an annual couples Halloween costume party where husband and wife try to pair their outfits. My wife was set on wearing a pink dress and wrapping it cellophane, those a piece of bubble gum. My choices to pair up we’re going as a school desk or as a “wrapper”. A rapper outfit with a microphone and face paint was chosen, not as a racial statement, but due to the fact that most rappers are African-American.
Looking back, it was a bad choice for an outfit. I regret it and apologize to those it offends. I never imagined it would be viewed as a racial image, much less saved by someone for nearly nine years before using it to impugn my character.
Any one the knows me, knows that I do not judge people by their race or nationality. I grew up in household that taught how to love others, not to hate them. My friends, former classmates, employees, dental patients, and current co-workers at the city would all confirm this. In my dental practice I care for people of many different races and backgrounds yet all my employees will tell you that we consider them family. At the City of Edwardsville, we have always hired the best candidate, and I am pleased to report that we have more minorities and females working for us than ever before. In fact, my last three appointments that I have recommended for the city council have been females.
I am saddened that I need to write about these things, but feel it is important for those who do not know me, to not judge my character from a Halloween costume. Moreover, I am sickened by and worried for the individual or individuals who would keep such a ridiculous picture for nine plus years and use it such a cheap manor. If these persons or anyone would like to discuss any issue with me, I have always made myself available.
This is the second desperate act taken against me in this election cycle. Clearly, my opponent and her allies will use any methods, no matter how pathetic, to maintain power and control of our political system in Illinois. The more I get into trying to change the dysfunction in Springfield, the more disgusted I get.
Sincerely, Hal
*** UPDATE(s) 1:17 p.m. ***
* The BND updated Patton’s statement to reflect a missing “not” in the fourth paragraph. We also now have a statement from Sen. Kwame Raoul in his capacity as an Attorney General candidate…
“This photo is blatantly racist and deeply offensive. I’ve spent a lot of time with local leaders in the Metro East area, and I know they have worked hard to promote diversity and inclusion in the region notwithstanding the prejudice of some. I look forward to continuing that work together.”
*** UPDATE 1:52 p.m. ***
* Statement from Rachelle Aud Crowe, Democratic candidate for Illinois State Senate in the 56th District.
“I was shocked to see this photo of Mayor Hal Patton in blackface. I’m not sure why he would ever think that wearing blackface is appropriate - it’s offensive and completely unacceptable. Blackface is racist, ignorant, and threatens the advancements we’ve made in the long fight for civil rights and equality.
“Elected officials should be held to the highest standard. They should be dedicated to serving the people they represent, not using stereotypes that divide us. Patton’s actions don’t represent our community, and are a painful reminder that we have much more work to do in achieving full equality and overcoming harmful stereotypes.
“In response to this photo, Hal Patton has made excuses and deflected by attacking me. There is no excuse for blackface. Patton is circulating petitions to get on the ballot under the “Downstate United” party, but his actions don’t represent Downstate values and only divide our community.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 11:14 am
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==“At the time, Run DMC and others were rappers.==
If Run DMC is your go-to example for rappers in the mid-2000’s, you’ve got a problem. But good to know there were “others” rapping at the time that would justify such a lame costume.
It would’ve been easier for him to dye his hair blond and go as Eminem.
Comment by City Zen Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:08 pm
Wondering why Democratic operatives would bother with a third party candidate
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:09 pm
At least he didn’t wear a blue suit. The outrage.
Comment by Duopoly Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:21 pm
“At the time, Run DMC and others were rappers. That was the look.”
Nope, try again.
Comment by Highalnd, IL Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:26 pm
10 years ago? 10? Come on, I’m old, and I know better.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:29 pm
Well that was a fun race. You should probably just bail out now dude. That picture is going to be put all over the district thousands of times. No reason to have your family be put through that. Suck up your pride and spare your family the grief and their having to explain your idiotic move.
Comment by Frank talks Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:29 pm
It’s ok, he’s “never had a racist bone in [his] body.”
Comment by charles in charge Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:34 pm
===…but due to the fact that most rappers are African-American.===
You. Learned. Nothing.
Stop talking.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:37 pm
===I never imagined it would be viewed as a racial image===
Not much of a history buff…
===This is the second desperate act taken against me in this election cycle.===
You can’t be a victim of your own actions.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:42 pm
A better costume idea might have been Will Ferrell going streaking in the quad.
Comment by Blago's Hare Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:50 pm
Internet challenge of the day: Please find a photo, any photo, of Run DMC wearing a jersey, or even a bandana of any sort…ever. You can’t. Their last album release?…2001. Before that….1993. Show me you know some history before attempting this weak response. Atleast be at the party wearing a Kangol with an adidas track suit before the backpedaling begins. I just can’t…
Comment by I just can’t... Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 12:54 pm
He should have had someone proofread his statement.
==Any one the knows me, knows that I do judge people by their race or nationality.==
Comment by Summertime Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:03 pm
there *are* white rappers, ya know
Comment by buffalo soldier Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:10 pm
Just drop out already. This was bad, and he can’t seem to own it.
“At the time, Run DMC and others were rappers. That was the look. I hate to say I regret a Halloween costume, in the sense it wasn’t meant to make a statement about anything in politics or anything in race relations or anything in that nature.”
Being African American is a “look.”
Ugh…just ugh.
Comment by illini97 Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:13 pm
“due to the fact that most rappers are African-American”
OI.
Not all rappers are white. Not all black people like rap. If he had tried to pick a specific person maybe you could (try to) defend it - it wouldn’t fly but it would be closer to a decent defense-, but he literally says he just meant to be a black person because everyone knows rappers are black. Again
Comment by Perrid Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:15 pm
“I am saddened that I need to write about these things, but feel it is important for those who do not know me, to not judge my character from a Halloween costume. Moreover, I am sickened by and worried for the individual or individuals who would keep such a ridiculous picture for nine plus years and use it such a cheap manor.”
First, it’s manner, not manor. Second, blaming a person for having the picture of you in a racist costume is a bit sketchy. Maybe don’t wear a racist costume so that there aren’t any photos for anyone to keep for any number of years.
Comment by illini97 Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:16 pm
If you’re going the “the powers are out to get me” don’t also point out that you’ve held office for twenty years.
Oh, and also “I regret it and apologize to those it offends” is not an apology. Try again.
Comment by illini97 Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:18 pm
Guess it’s time to put away my blackface makeup.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:28 pm
A “rapper” and a “wrapper”. A great paired costumed concept.
Said. No. One. Ever.
Comment by a drop in Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:31 pm
Gotcha.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:39 pm
Add this to the reasons why Rachelle Aud Crowe should be our next State Senator and not blackface costume wearer Hal Patton.
Comment by Justin Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 1:41 pm
He’s no Al Jolson, but I think we’re going to find out if he can play Edwardsville.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 2:14 pm
“At the time, Run DMC and others were rappers….”
Ten years ago? Run DMC? Dude, I was in college when Run DMC hit. That was the Reagan years.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 2:25 pm
He was probably about 40 years old when he did this. Not like he was a kid.
Comment by Highland Il Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 2:39 pm
His apology is a good way to judge his original intentions. Both are racist and totally disqualifying.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 2:52 pm
Others have piled on the Run DMC comment, and rightly so. I would like to point out Jam Master Jay was killed in 2002, thus ending the existence of Run DMC. Plus, there is no Adidas anywhere in that picture–there is no way he is doing any sort of ill-advised homage to Run DMC. He’s just being a racist. It’s nice that he can point to minority and women hires–but ethics are who we are and what we do when we don’t think others will find out. That picture says it all.
Comment by anon324 Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 3:15 pm
Cripes…I remember back in the Run DMC heyday a frat at my college getting in BIG trouble for a blackface skit. That would have been mid to late 80’s. Most of us knew back then that it was wrong, 20 years before this clown knew. And we were not all that swift.
This guy is a banned word.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 3:28 pm
===This photo is blatantly racist and deeply offensive.===
It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hN1SKVx31s
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 3:32 pm
Sorry Hal but Vanilla Ice was and is screaming to made fun of…bad choice on your part.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 4:10 pm
Thank you JSM and Word for convincing AA he was not caught in some weird time warp. I knew I had all my hair when Run DMC was a thing.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 4:45 pm
–I knew I had all my hair when Run DMC was a thing.–
The Berlin Wall was still a thing, too.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 4:55 pm
He’s the mayor of my town. He’s been a so-so mayor. Now that I know he is a blatant racist — the kind who wears black-face and then claims that he does not have a “racist bone in my body” — I’ll be sure to campaign against him if he runs again. Really, he should resign as mayor. We sure as hell don’t need him as our state senator. What an embarrassment.
Comment by Front Porch Edwardsville Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 8:54 pm
The man made a mistake and he apologized for it. Vanilla Ice or Eminem would probably have been better choices. But he obviously didn’t use a PR hack to make his statement. He responded honestly and I’m sure when feeling terrible about that decision that he made - a decade ago - to wear a Halloween costume. I think people need to calm down. We’ve all done stupid things we regret. I’m sure we’ve all said or done something that’s offended someone at some time. I don’t think he meant to offend anyone. I think he’s human.
Comment by Illinois Girl Monday, Jun 18, 18 @ 9:59 pm
Front Porch, as a Glen Carbonite, he’s been worse than so-so for us. He actively works against the interests of his neighboring community. Now that he’s outed as, at the very least racially insensitive, I’m galvanized to more actively support almost any opponent he has.
Comment by illini97 Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 8:20 am
– Illinois Girl “The man made a mistake and he apologized for it.”
Except he didn’t.
“Looking back, it was a bad choice for an outfit. I regret it and apologize to those it offends.”
Apologizing for others being offended isn’t an apology. If I stab someone and say, sorry you’re in pain, that’s not an apology for my actions. That’s an apology for their reactions.
Good luck getting those petition signatures. It was a tough ask earlier, it’s gotta be nigh impossible now.
But hey, he still represents Edwardsville at the least.
Comment by illini97 Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 8:23 am