Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who started his reelection campaign for upcoming polls in Canada on September 11, wore a racist ‘brownface’ make up at a party in the private school he worked at as a teacher back in 2001. As reported by TIME, the picture was taken at an ‘Arabian Nights’ themed gala where Trudeau had worn brown makeup on his face, neck and hands and is also sporting a turban and robes.
Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, was 29-years-old back then when the picture was clicked. It appeared in the 2000-2001 yearbook of the West Point Grey Academy where he was teaching.
Following the publication of the photograph, Trudeau has apologised for the same. “I shouldn’t have done that. I should have known better and I didn’t. I’m really sorry,” he said. He even added that back then he did not consider it racist but now he “knows better”.
Trudeau, however, by his own admission been quite “enthusiastic about costumes than is sometimes appropriate.”
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As per reports, Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party in Canada said that Trudeau’s behaviour was “troubling” and “insulting” while National Council of Canadian Muslims found his appearance with ‘brownface’ “disgraceful”.
Turns out this was not the first time he wore such racist makeup. When Trudeau was in high school had worn the brown make up to sing ‘Day-O’, a Jamaican folk song performed by African-American singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. However, Trudeau “deeply regrets” he did it.
Canada is set to go to polls on 21st October and Trudeau is seeking reelection. Pollsters in Canada suggest it will be a close competition between Trudeau and his opponent Andrew Scheer.