What we know about the Arabian Nights-themed gala Justin Trudeau attended in brownface makeup
Additional details have emerged on the Arabian Nights-themed gala that Justin Trudeau attended in 2001 in brownface makeup.
According to an April 2001 newsletter from the West Point Grey Academy, a private school in Vancouver where Trudeau taught, the event was held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.
There were “Desert Breeze” drinks served at the event, which was described as “certainly encouraging the fun atmosphere.”
The page in the newsletter also explains that there were belly dancers who moved around the “marketplace auction.”
Gala guests also enjoyed an “exotic meal,” with no specifics mentioned in the newsletter. Approximately $160,000 was raised at the event to “benefit school life of student.”
Images from the event included in the newsletter includes Trudeau’s brownface makeup and “racist” costume, originally published by Canadland. Although other attendees dressed up in costume, Trudeau is the only one photographed in brownface.
“It was something that I didn’t think was racist at the time,” Trudeau said after the original photo was released by TIME on Wednesday night. “I’m disappointed and pissed off at myself.”
#BREAKING: A video — obtained exclusively by Global News — shows a third instance of Justin Trudeau in what appears to be racist makeup.#cdnpoli #elxn43 https://t.co/1WNWm9QPat
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) September 19, 2019
In addition to Trudeau’s appearance at the Arabian Nights-themed gala, Global News has released a video of him in blackface makeup, apparently from the 1990s.
Exclusive. Sources have confirmed to me that this is THE picture of @JustinTrudeau in blackface from high school that he referenaced in his press conference. From the year book at Brebeuf college. #cdnpoli He is singing Day Oh apparently. pic.twitter.com/ivBPoxbXi8
— Evan Solomon (@EvanLSolomon) September 19, 2019
There is also a photo of Trudeau in blackface during a high school talent show, where he sang the song Day O.
People around the world have taken to social media to comment on the gala itself and Trudeau’s appearance at the event:
Just heard about Justin Trudeau’s brownface for an “Arabian Nights” party (?) & searched for the pic, curious how bad it was, then I saw the pic & had the same feeling I had when I was 11 & fell out of a tree & landed on my back & all the breath was slammed out of my body
— Paul F. Tompkins (@PFTompkins) September 19, 2019
@TheSocialCTV I am Indian a 'brown person' Justin Trudeau was young and the team was Arabian Nights! My white friend wore a traditional Indian outfit to my wedding was she inappropriate and racist? NO! This cancel culture is ridiculous!! Proud Canadian! #JustinTrudeaunotracist
— natasha nizam (@tashnizam123) September 19, 2019
I mean an Arabian Nights themed dinner is already offensive before anyone even shows up
— Siobhan Morris (@siomo) September 18, 2019
I am not trying to excuse his behaviour here, because there’s no excuse for it. But this was an Arabian Nights party of some sort. I don’t think it was at all meant to mock or as an insult. And he has genuinely apologized. Unlike Scheer.
— Jen B 🇨🇦 (@JenniferBurt) September 19, 2019
This happened at an Arabian nights themed FUNDRAISER. AT A SCHOOL! Quite literally, racism was employed as a tool to raise capital for a colonialist institution. The pictures we're seeing are from yearbooks! No one in pwr told this dude no. The photos were framed as a HIGHLIGHT!!
— Cheryl Hann (@CherylHann) September 19, 2019
