Blackface images 'nightmare' for liberal superstar Trudeau
Just four weeks out from Canada's election, the pictures deal a massive blow to the PM's carefully crafted image.
Friday 20 September 2019 05:38, UK
Justin Trudeau isn't sure how many times he dressed up in black or brownface - which is perhaps the most troubling part of this story.
Over years - from high school well into his professional life - he thought it wasn't just okay but funny to 'black up', perpetuating racist stereotypes.
It could not be more at odds with the progressive image he's carefully crafted: the shining beacon of hope for the world's liberals has been exposed as someone who for years just didn't get it.
Despite the privileged background and education he often refers to, Trudeau was utterly oblivious to the historical context and hurtful, demeaning nature of what he was - repeatedly - done.
It's only four weeks until Canada's general election. Trudeau wanted images of himself - sleeves rolled up - at ease in diverse communities to dominate headlines.
Instead, excruciating photos of him grinning proudly in black or brownface are everywhere.
It is a gift for his political opponents who have called for him to step down.
For Canadians who were already sceptical of the authenticity of his liberal image - it is proof that he isn't the real deal.
All in, it's a political nightmare for an incumbent already caught up in a corruption scandal.
Accusations have been swirling for months that he tried to have corruption charges against a Canadian engineering company dropped because he feared it would cost him votes.
He now faces an even bigger threat to his re-election bid that could destroy the progressive brand that brought him to office.