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Justin Trudeau: New video of Canada’s PM in blackface
A new video has emerged of Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, wearing blackface, a day after he admitted such behaviour was racist.
He apologised on Wednesday after photos of two similar episodes – one when he was a teacher and another a student – came to light.
His Liberal Party says the video is genuine and dates from the early 1990s.
The revelations come amid campaigning for the 21 October election, when Mr Trudeau hopes to win a second term.
What is in the video?
The footage, first obtained by Global News, shows Mr Trudeau in a white T-shirt and torn jeans.
His face and limbs appear to be covered in black make-up. He is seen laughing, throwing his hands in the air, sticking his tongue out and pulling faces.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Mr Trudeau would have been in his late teens or early 20s.
What about the other episodes?
On Wednesday, the embattled PM apologised for wearing brownface make-up at a gala at a private Vancouver school where he taught nearly two decades ago.
The 2001 yearbook picture obtained by Time Magazine shows Mr Trudeau, then aged 29, with skin-darkening make-up on his face and hands at the West Point Grey Academy.
The second image to emerge on Wednesday shows Mr Trudeau performing in a talent show as a student at high school.
He wore blackface and sang Day-O, a Jamaican folk song popularised by American civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.
How did Justin Trudeau respond?
The images are acutely embarrassing for the prime minister, especially as he has made progressive policies a signature issue.
Speaking to journalists after the Time article was published, Mr Trudeau said he had dressed up in the photo in an Aladdin costume at an Arabian Nights-themed gala.
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“I take responsibility for my decision to do that. I shouldn’t have done it.
“I should have known better. It was something that I didn’t think was racist at the time, but now I recognise it was something racist to do and I am deeply sorry.”
What is brownface?
Like blackface, brownface typically refers to when someone paints their face darker to appear like someone with a different skin colour.
The practice is associated with minstrel performances – in past centuries, white actors could be seen with their faces painted black, caricaturing black people, and perpetuating offensive and racist stereotypes.
In recent years, there have been several controversies involving politicians, celebrities and brands accused of blackface, brownface or yellowface.
On Wednesday, Mr Trudeau said brownface was “a significant thing that is very hurtful” to “communities and people who live with intersectionalities and face discrimination”.
