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Justin Trudeau: Canada PM in 'brownface' 2001 yearbook photo | Justin Trudeau: Canada PM in 'brownface' 2001 yearbook photo |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore "brownface" at a private school gala nearly two decades ago, a photo obtained by Time Magazine shows. | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore "brownface" at a private school gala nearly two decades ago, a photo obtained by Time Magazine shows. |
Addressing the image, Mr Trudeau said he "deeply regretted" his actions and "should have known better". | Addressing the image, Mr Trudeau said he "deeply regretted" his actions and "should have known better". |
The 2001 yearbook picture shows Mr Trudeau with skin-darkening make-up on his face and hands at the West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver. | The 2001 yearbook picture shows Mr Trudeau with skin-darkening make-up on his face and hands at the West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver. |
The prime minister is battling for re-election on 21 October. | The prime minister is battling for re-election on 21 October. |
Mr Trudeau, son of the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, used to teach at the elite academy. | |
The image is politically embarrassing for the prime minister because he has made progressive policies a signature issue. | The image is politically embarrassing for the prime minister because he has made progressive policies a signature issue. |
How did Trudeau respond? | How did Trudeau respond? |
Speaking to journalists after the Time article was published, Mr Trudeau said 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 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." | "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." |
When asked had there been other occasions, Mr Trudeau told reporters he had also worn make-up while performing at a talent show in high school. | |
An image from that incident has since been posted to Twitter. | |
A source has confirmed for the BBC it is from the incident to which Mr Trudeau referred at the news conference. | |
What is 'brownface'? | |
Like "blackface", "brownface" typically refers to when someone paints their face darker to appear like someone with a different skin colour. | |
The practice is associated with minstrel performances - in past centuries, white actors could be seen with their faces painted black, caricaturing African-Americans, and perpetuating offensive and racist stereotypes. | |
In recent years, there have been several controversies involving politicians, celebrities and brands accused of "blackface", "brownface" or "yellowface". | |
On Wednesday, Mr Trudeau said "brownface" was "a significant thing that is very hurtful" to "communities and people who live with intersectionalities and face discrimination". | |
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 added that it recognised "people can change and evolve over two decades". Later, the council issued a tweet thanking Mr Trudeau for apologising promptly. | |
What's the political reaction been? | |
The picture was racist in 2001 and racist now, said Andrew Scheer, leader of the opposition Conservatives. | |
"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. | "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. |
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, a Sikh, said the image was "troubling" and "insulting". | New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, a Sikh, said the image was "troubling" and "insulting". |
"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," Mr Singh told journalists on the campaign trail in Toronto. | |
The image was also criticised in a tweet by Green Party leader Elizabeth May. | The image was also criticised in a tweet by Green Party leader Elizabeth May. |
Opinion polls indicate October's election will be a tough race for Mr Trudeau who is seeking a second term in office. | |
His campaign got off to a bad start after his plane was grounded by a scraped wing on the first day. A bus ferrying journalists collided with the wing of the Liberal party's chartered Boeing last week. | His campaign got off to a bad start after his plane was grounded by a scraped wing on the first day. A bus ferrying journalists collided with the wing of the Liberal party's chartered Boeing last week. |
Earlier this year, in the US, Virginia governor Ralph Northam admitted he had worn blackface while dressing up as Michael Jackson. | |
However he denied being in a racist photograph in his 1984 medical school yearbook. |