Andrew Coyne: Is Justin Trudeau a racist? No. He is a sanctimonious fraud

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks regarding photos and video that have surfaced of him wearing blackface, during an campaign stop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sept. 19, 2019. PHOTO BY SHANNON VANRAES/REUTERS

Justin Trudeau, who is the Prime Minister of Canada since November 4, 2015, and who also leads the Liberal Party of Canada since April 14, 2013, is considered one of the most important and influential progressive leaders in the world, due to his fierce defense of individual freedoms, gender equality, the environment, abortion, the rights of the LGBT community, the legalization of marijuana and the welfare state.

However, questions arise regarding him, such as is Justin Trudeau a racist? What there is no doubt is that clearly by now it should be clear that something is wrong with Justin Trudeau.

Now, we are unfamiliar with the public figure who, at some point in his past, did something remarkably stupid or offensive like blackening his face for a party. We certainly have no experience with a leader, least of all with a prime minister, who cannot remember how many times he did it and that in fact, the blackface seems to have been something of a hobby.

Believe or not believe?

When the prime minister claims he did not know in 2001 that dressing as a member of a racial minority was offensive, most of us believed him. However, it is really hard to believe that he could be so racist, but it is too easy to believe that he could be so clueless. Still, the photos and videos are disturbing, apart from their offensive nature. It takes more than mere ignorance or callousness to dress the part so carefully, to the point of blackening the parts of your body that your clothing hides, or with such enthusiasm.

In this way, it could be said that if that were all, the effect could simply be to restore the public perception of him, from the sincere idealist of 2015 or the cynical operator of 2017. Now it seems that everything fits perfectly, a tremendous rehabilitation public.

This being the case, it is good to ask yourself, do you believe or not believe?

Meanwhile, noteworthy is the fact that on social media, surrogates have been championing the cause. What does it matter if you were racist in the past as long as you are anti-racist in the present? Why flag him for racist acts, when the whole society is racist? Trudeau himself toyed with this sentiment at his press conference the next day in Winnipeg. Coming from “a place of privilege”, he acknowledged regretfully, it had given him “a huge blind spot.”

Source: Andrew Coyne | National Post