Brownface: Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in racism scandal as 2001 yearbook photo surfaces
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore brownface makeup to a party at the private school where he was teaching in 2001, according to a photo published by Time Magazine.
The 2001 yearbook picture shows Trudeau with skin-darkening make-up on his face and hands at the West Point Grey Academy.
The prime minister has, however, apologised for the racist photo which was taken about 20 years ago.
According to BBC, Trudeau said he "deeply regretted" his actions and "should have known better".
The prime minister admitted that he had dressed up in the photo in an Aladdin costume at an Arabian Nights-themed gala.
"I take responsibility for my decision to do that. I shouldn't have done it.
"I should have known better. It was something that I didn't think was racist at the time, but now I recognise it was something racist to do and I am deeply sorry," he said.
Trudeau further said that "brownface" was "a significant thing that is very hurtful" to "communities and people who live with intersectionalities and face discrimination".
Asked if there had been other occasions where he put on a coloured face, Trudeau confessed that he had also worn make-up when he was a student performing at a talent show in high school.
Source: UGC
What does it mean to wear a 'brownface'?
According to BBC, "brownface" , like "blackface", typically refers to when someone paints their face darker to appear like someone with different skin colour.
Wearing blackface, brownface, yellowface, or redface or any coloured-face you wear that isn't yours is considered racist, CNN also notes.
Noting that the tradition has a long, painful history, the American media traced its origin to the mid-19th century when “white actors performing in minstrel shows would darken their skin with polish and cork to look stereotypically "black."
“The shows were intended to be funny to white audiences, but they were hurtful and demeaning to African-Americans because they reinforced white people's notions of superiority,” the newspaper wrote.
In the political scene, the photo is also causing an uproar which may affect the chances of the prime minister who is seeking re-election in October.
Reacting to the development, Andrew Scheer, leader of the opposition Conservatives said the picture was racist in 2001 and is racist now.
"What Canadians saw this evening is someone with a total lack of judgement and integrity and someone who is not fit to govern this country," he said.
For Jagmeet Singh, a Sikh and leader of New Democratic Party, the photo was described as "troubling" and "insulting".
He said: "Any time we hear examples of brownface or blackface, it's making a mockery of someone for what they live and what their lived experiences are.”
Also speaking on the development, Mustafa Farooq, executive director of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said: "Seeing the prime minister in brownface/blackface is deeply saddening. The wearing of blackface/brownface is reprehensible, and hearkens back to a history of racism and an Orientalist mythology which is unacceptable."
The council, however, accepted Trudaeu’s apology, noting that"people can change and evolve over two decades".
PAY ATTENTION: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that legendary football star Jay-Jay Okocha recently opened up about the struggles he faced when he started out as a young footballer.
According to Okocha, the first country he travelled to in Europe was Germany. There, he encountered a great deal of racist actions from people.
The football star said he never knew he was black until he went to this European country.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better
Street Gist: Are Nigerians truly willing to relocate to Canada? | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
