EDITOR:
I am sorry to say that Justin Trudeau’s excuse that he did not know that ‘blackface make-up’ was offensive and racist to many Canadians even before 2000, let alone in 2001, is not a good one.
Firstly, it is very sad that he, as a teacher at that time, was not aware of, and did not pay attention to, the fact that 2001 was a year that the World Conference against Racism was held under the auspices of the United Nations in Durban, South Africa (between Aug. 31 and Sept 8). The preparations and selection of delegates for the conference took place over several years prior to 2001, and then throughout the months leading up to the international meeting. Much effort and publicity supported the many Canadian NGO’s willingness to participate and support the UN efforts and to raise awareness about racism and xenophobia around the world as well as in our country.
The Liberal government at that time committed resources and support for a number of NGO representatives to attend the Durban conference. I was one of those delegates. In preparation for our participation, meetings were organized throughout the country to raise awareness about racism and seek the views and attitudes of other Canadians. I participated on a panel of one meeting in Halifax organized by the government and I am sure similar meetings took place in the province where Justin Trudeau lived at that time.
I do not wish him ill but it is hard to understand his thinking and insensitivity to issues of racism and xenophobia as demonstrated years ago in the guise of ‘good fun,’ and even harder to understand more recently on his trip to India where a costumed family ‘photoop’ won out over the decorum normally expected when our prime minister is visiting in foreign countries. Excuses and apologies are simply not good enough.
Alexandra McCallum,
Souris
