Justin Trudeau is facing pressure to resign over his blackface scandal, but it looks like the Canadian leader may skate.
The prime minister dodged questions from reporters Wednesday about whether he intends to step down. “I think there are people who’ve made mistakes in this life and you make decisions based on what they actually do, what they did, and on a case-by-case basis, I think,” Trudeau said at a press conference Wednesday. “I deeply regret that we, that I, did that, I should have known better but I didn’t.”
Blackface scandal
On Wednesday, just weeks before Trudeau faces re-election, TIME magazine published a shocking image of the leader in so-called “brownface” at a gala in 2001. The picture shows Trudeau, then 29, dressed up as Aladdin at an “Arabian Nights” themed party, his skin darkened with makeup. Trudeau apologized for the image and admitted that he had also worn blackface at a high school talent show, where he performed the Jamaican song “Day-O,” popularized by Harry Belafonte.
After a third instance of Trudeau in blackface emerged on Thursday, Trudeau said that he could not be sure how many times he had worn blackface in his life.
Within 24 hours, Trudeau’s public image as an advocate of diversity and political correctness had been irreparably damaged. At least one Native American leader, Northwest Territories Premier Stephen Kakfwi, said that Trudeau must back up his contrition with concrete consequences and step down. But it looks like Trudeau is not at all prepared to practice what he preaches.
“I spent the morning speaking with candidates, with fellow liberals, with allies, with leaders within racialized communities across the country, and I will continue to do the work that is necessary,” the prime minister said when asked if he would resign. “To keep us moving forward in the right way, Canadians have an important choice to make.”
With a combination of good looks and gushing liberal sensitivity, Trudeau became a kind of prince of Wokeness to his many admirers. But Trudeau is now facing charges of hypocrisy from Canada’s liberal press.
Indeed, the scandal is particularly ironic considering Trudeau’s extensive efforts to cultivate a reputation for cultural sensitivity. Trudeau has invited occasional criticism — even from the Left — for his virtue signaling. The leader was mocked over his excessive dress when he visited India with his family last year.
Liberals accept Trudeau’s apology
Will Trudeau actually face consequences? He has responded to the usual ritual condemnation with the usual ritual contriteness, but already his scandal seems to be following a familiar pattern in which liberals evade consequences for behavior that would ruin a conservative.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D-VA) faced intense backlash over blackface photos from his past, but eventually, the controversy blew over and he held on to his position. Now, Trudeau is going with the “everybody makes mistakes” line, and liberals in Canada and the U.S. are lining up to accept his “sincere apologies.”
Canada’s Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan, who is Sikh, said that Trudeau had “sincerely apologized” and that the focus should be on his administration’s commitment to diversity. Other Liberal Party members have also forgiven Trudeau while issuing carefully measured criticism.
CNN’s Don Lemon actually praised Trudeau’s public contrition; but not even one year ago, Lemon rebuked former NBC host Megyn Kelly just for talking about blackface. Her career still hasn’t recovered. Will Trudeau face the same fate?
No comments: