Photos surface of Justin Trudeau wearing dark face-paint at two previous events
Credit to Author: David Carrigg| Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2019 07:07:58 +0000
A photo has been released by TIME showing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a “Arabian Nights” themed party wearing brownface makeup.
The picture was taken in the spring of 2001 at a private party held at Vancouver’s prestigious West Point Grey Academy and released to TIME by a parent at the school. At the time Trudeau was a 29-year-old teacher at the school. The photo was published in the school’s 2000-2001 yearbook called The View.
This screengrab shows a Time magazine article about a 2001 party at Vancouver’s West Point Grey Academy that was attended by now Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dressed in costume with his face and hands painted a dark colour.
According to the TIME article, the party was attended by school faculty, administrators and parents.
Trudeau told media that were with him on a flight from Halifax on Wednesday night that he should have known better.
“Obviously I regret that I did it and I’m really sorry I did,” Trudeau said.
He added that during a high school talent show, he wore makeup while performing a version of Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat Song (Day-O),” although he didn’t explicitly say the makeup was dark.
“It’s something that I didn’t realize was racist at the time, but know I recognize it was something racist to do and I regret.”
Late Wednesday, the image of Trudeau with his face darkened and performing at his high school — Brebeuf College — was distributed on Twitter by the Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau chief.
@JustinTrudeau in blackface at Jean Brebeuf high school. #cdnpoli #elxn43 #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/q6v5bgYJvJ
In another tweet, the National Council of Canadian Muslims said that they accepted the apology.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who was taking part in a town-hall meeting when the news broke, said it’s becoming clear that Trudeau’s public persona may not be an accurate reflection of who he is.
“I think he needs to answer for it. I think he’s got to answer the question why he did that and what does that say about what he thinks about people who, because of who they are, because of the colour of their skin, face challenges and barriers and obstacles in their life,” Singh said.
“Who is the real Mr. Trudeau? Is it the one behind closed doors, the one when the cameras are turned off that no one sees?” Singh asked. “Is that the real Mr. Trudeau? Because more and more, it seems like it is.”
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Conservative leader Andrew Scheer issued a scathing statement on Wednesday night — “Wearing brownface is an act of open mockery and racism. It was just as racist in 2001 as it is in 2019. What Canadians saw this evening was someone with a complete lack of judgment and integrity and someone who is not fit to govern this country.”
My response to the Time Magazine story about Justin Trudeau: pic.twitter.com/nIfukTRiev
Calls to the West Point Grey Academy have not been returned.
With files from Canadian Press
I am deeply shocked by the racism shown in the photograph of Justin Trudeau. He must apologize for the harm done and commit to learning and appreciating the requirement to model social justice leadership at all levels of government. In this matter he has failed.
Jagmeet Singh reacts to breaking TIME story of Trudeau in brown face. Pauses for moment to think (broke while he was speaking), then says it’s troubling, insulting & he needs to answer for it. Says in general it’s a mockery when ppl do it. Room applauds. https://t.co/FXk4DRnnV1
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, third right, walks with his family members during their visit to Golden Temple, in Amritsar, India, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Trudeau is on a seven-day visit to India.