The black face/brown face reaction regarding Trudeau the Younger has left me baffled. I understand the issue in relation to minstrel shows and other antics that are clearly demeaning to people of colour. And I understand the offence taken to cowboys and Indians shows/games/toys, etc. But Justin Trudeau was certainly not engaging in negative stereotyping by dressing up as Aladdin, a hero to most children and especially during an “Arabian Nights” theme party.
Neither would anyone be negative stereotyping if they dressed up as the Black Panther or the new black Spider-Man. Could not a similar argument be made for real life heroes such as Jackie Robertson, Mahatma Gandhi or Bruce Lee? Is Wonder Woman off limits only to those who approximate Caucasian skin colour? That said, if we open the door to determinations of racism being made based on contextual circumstance, what can of worms do we open by arguing the issue each time it arises?
Is it better, not unlike religious tenets, to just take it on faith that blackface is never appropriate, even when it defies logic? Never question the Virgin Mary, eating meat on Friday or that 72 virgins are the reward for martyrdom.
Is Wonder Woman off limits only to those who approximate Caucasian skin colour?
If you grew up and were bullied due to some prejudicial disadvantages and were the persistent object of teasing/slurs/bullying, etc., you often had to live with it. In fact, you had to disguise your feelings about the harassment as it would likely bring on additional negative reaction. Once you survived the ordeal and became an adult and there were legislative or societal norms (e.g. hate crimes or school and employment policies) against such behaviour, you might very well be disposed to react viscerally at any suggestion of the previous offensive behaviour.
With the rules on your side and in an era of political correctness, it is easy to strike out at perceived threats, even if they are not real. Cut it off at the pass. Stomp any suggestion of it into the ground.
If we substitute “racism” in the above argument in place of past provocation, it explains the vociferousness of the reaction to blackface/brownface, etc. Victims strike out at all of the indignities incurred in the past and not necessarily in reaction to the specific event currently under discussion. They may also be speaking not only for themselves but also for the prior and future aggravations of family members, associates and aggrieved others.
The Trudeau issue is a non-starter for me and many others.
A politically correct victim of a cultural and “big P politics” proxy war.
While I can empathize with the push-back in regard to the rationale expressed, I can't say I do so with much level of comfort.
Trudeau’s alleged racism is not a simple black and white issue.
Tom Hawco
St. John’s
