Nice try, folks.
As Chairman of the city's Republican Party Bartholomew was responsible for communicating with a wide variety of people. Emails were a regular part of his daily experience. He has sent, received and forwarded literally hundreds of emails since taking the position as head of the city Party.
And even if he truely had no skilz using the internet, why would he choose that particular item to "familiarize" himself with the concept of forwarding email? Sorry, but I cannot see him as being so dumb as to not realize that the particular item, no matter how much it tickled his personal funny bone, might be seen by some others as offensive. Virginia Beach politics - even Republican Party politics - has been through too much for too long wrt the Race Card being thrown down at every opportunity. Acording to one of my sources, there is even "training" on the issue of maintaining social appropriateness in comments that might even appear to be referencing African Americans.
The excuse being offered just will not wash.
stay safe.