Dov Hikind, Blackface [PHOTO]: New York State Lawmaker's Half-Hearted Apology for Purim Party Costume, "Absurd Political Correctness" or Just Racist?

Dov Hikind, a well-known state assemblyman from Brooklyn, had been pictured wearing blackface for a Purim part costume and has since defended himself in a half-hearted apology, saying he did not mean to offend anyone. According to reports and the picture [BELOW] found on Hikind's son's Facebook page, the democratic assemblyman wore brown makeup, an Afro wig, sunglasses and an orange sports jersey. Hikind, a power broker of the Orthodox Jewish community, says he was trying to represent a "back basketball player." Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrating the deliverance of the Jews in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction. The main customs of the holiday is giving charity and gifts. Other traditions include drinking wine, public celebration and dressing up in costumes.

Just like every Purim celebration over the years, Hikind had a large celebration at his home with hundreds of guests and enlisted the help of a professional makeup artist for his costume. His son, Yoni, posted a picture of himself, his father and his mother in costume to his Facebook page. Dov Hikind did not see a problem with this. Unfortunately, The New York Observer found the picture and published an article about the costume this week. Hikind's first stance was a simple blog post, stating, "There is not a prejudiced bone in my body." He also said that the media's assault on him was "political correctness to the absurd."

However, as the day went on, numerous elected officials condemned Hikind. Assembly speaker, Sheldon Silver, referred to the costume as "inappropriate and offensive." All were demanding an apology.

Chairman of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, Karim Camara, made the point that the reactions were not "just about being politically correct," and that blackface "has a very painful history to many people." Camara added, "A lot of black leaders and clergy - elected officials, everyday citizens - were very upset or offended, and had a lot of questions as to, from their point of view, how could someone be so insensitive."

Hikind's "apology" is as follows:

"The main objective that I have is not to be recognizable. Of course the intention was not to offend anyone. That's the last thing that I ever imagined that would happen, to be very honest. It never crossed my mind."

He added, "My wife, you saw the picture, she was the devil. Believe me, she's not the devil." The assemblyman continued, saying, "A lot of people just don't realize, on Purim, in a sense, forgive me for saying this, you do crazy stuff. It's not done, God forbid, to laugh, to mock, to hurt, to pain anyone."

Apparently learning a lesson (though this sounds more like him be facetious), Hiking ended his statement saying, "Next year I was thinking I'd be an Indian. But you know, I've changed my mind about that. I don't think that's a good idea. Somebody will be offended."