Can a quick apology and acknowledgement of wrongdoing help? Seems to depend on who you ask.
As news broke Wednesday night and Thursday morning of first one, then three photos of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau in brownface, both Windsor residents and local candidates in the upcoming federal election began to react.
A West Point Grey Academy yearbook photo showing Justin Trudeau in 2001 wearing brownface makeup. (Photo courtesy of Time Magazine)
BlackburnNews.com took our microphone to the street to talk to residents, and while they uniformly condemned the photos as shocking, inappropriate, and offensive, some were conflicted whether it would hurt the party's re-election chances.
"I saw what happened in Virginia with the governor in the summer, and there was a lot of fallout from it, and then it disappeared. I think the same thing is going to happen," said Ron Parent referring to a scandal that engulfed Ralph Northam earlier this year. "I think the fallout is going to be disastrous for the Liberals."
Time Magazine published the first photo. It was taken in 2001 at an Arabian Nights-themed gala in Victoria where a 29-year-old Trudeau was working at a private school. He is shown dressed as Aladdin. Photos from the events show many people in costume, but only the Liberal Leader in brownface. A second photo, in blackface, was taken during his high school days, and a third undated picture shows him in blackface wearing a large wig.
"I don't think it's going to help him too much," admitted Steve, who declined to give his last name. "As for the rest of the Liberals, I don't know."
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At the South Asian Centre of Windsor, acting president Jeewan Gill, who ran as a Liberal candidate in past elections said he was not bothered by the photos.
Gill said ethnic diversity in Trudeau's cabinet, and among Liberal candidates should speak louder than any photo taken 20 years ago. He suggested it was a distraction from issues faced by Canadians.
"It would be different if he was trying to put down people," he answered.
Tonight is not about the Prime Minister.
It's about every young person mocked for the colour of their skin.The child who had their turban ripped off their head.
And those reliving intense feelings of pain & hurt from past experiences of racism.
To you, I say you are loved.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 19, 2019
Liberal candidates from at least two ridings have expressed their disappointment in interviews and statements.
From Katie Omstead, the Liberal candidate in Chatham-Kent-Leamington; "I don't care how old these images are," she wrote. "Being a teacher, my heart goes out to students everywhere who have been affected by racism, homophobia, and bullying. We've seen him apologize sincerely, and accept full responsibility. I know, as does he, how serious this is."
Omstead is running against Conservative David Epp, Mark Vancouteren of the Green Party, John Balagtas of the People's Party of Canada, and Tony Walsh with the NDP.
My response to the Time Magazine story about Justin Trudeau: pic.twitter.com/nIfukTRiev
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) September 19, 2019
Sandra Pupatello, making a comeback in politics after an eight-year absence, is running in Windsor West.
"I was disappointed, because I thought, 'really?' I think many people felt that way because I also know that that does not represent the person that he is today," said Pupatello. "I really am grateful that he jumped in immediately and apologized, and I think that's something that we don't see enough of in politics."
She is running against Henry Lau with the Conservatives, the People's Party's Darryl Burrell, Sean Quinn Hunt of the Green Party, and incumbent Brian Masse, a New Democrat.
"I've always known I'm in a tough fight. That hasn't changed. It was like that two days ago. It's like that today," Pupatello said. "I'm going up against a 17-year incumbent."
I’m not going to accuse @JustinTrudeau of being a racist.
But he’s the master of identity politics and the Libs just spent months accusing everyone of being white supremacists.He definitely is the biggest hypocrite in the country.
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) September 19, 2019
In Essex, People's Party of Canada candidate Bill Capes campaign released a statement to media saying Trudeau ought to be ashamed.
"Had this been Maxime Bernier or Andrew Scheer, Justin Trudeau would be the first to use such a scandal against his opponents and demand their resignation," it read. "We will not make demands that Justin Trudeau resign -- everyone makes mistakes and should be allowed to learn from them, assuming they genuinely repent and change. The most important lesson Justin can learn from his mistake is to not throw stones when you live in a glass house."
BlackburnNews.com has reached out to NDP and Conservative candidates for their reaction as well.
