The Justin Scandal, 2

 
 
 

Vocabulary

update	case (3)	apologize
plead	election	erupt (2)
publish	incident	represent
pursue	privilege	private (2)
turban	makeup	under fire
put on	costume	dress up
allege	scandal	impersonate
blind	sport (2)	acknowledge
midst	massive	blind spot
resign	robe (2)	plead his case
involve	election	figure (3)
rally

 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Next tonight, here the blackface scandal involving Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. A new images today; there are now several

Trudeau apologizing, he called it racist and talked about “privilege” when he was young.

A month to go to election in Canada, and ABC’s Gino Benidez in Montreal.

 

 

Tonight, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau under fire for at least three incidents showing the leader in brown and blackface erupted overnight.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada: “It’s not something that represents the person I have become, the leader I’ve tried to be.”

Time Magazine published this photo take from a private school yearbook, where Trudeau worked as a teacher, before pursuing office. It shows the then-twenty-nine (29) year old in a turban, robe and dark makeup in his face and hands.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada: “I’m dressed up in Aladdin costume — and put makeup on.

I shouldn’t have done that.”

Trudeau then saying he also used dark makeup as a teenager to impersonate singer Harry Belafonte.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada: “When I was in high school, I . . . uh . . . dressed up at a talent show. And . . . uh, sang ‘Deo’. With, with makeup on.”

Earlier today, Canada’s Global News publishing this undated video allegedly showing Trudeau in blackface, smiling.

Trudeau comes from one of Canada’s well-known political families: the son of former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada: “I have always acknowledged that I come from a place of privilege. But I now need to acknowledge that comes with a massive blind spot.”

Now he’s in the midst of a re-election campaign — election day is just one month away. And the election is on October twenty-first (21st.) That means Trudeau only has about a month to plead his case.

Meanwhile not a single figure from his Liberal Party has called on him to resign; in fact, they’ve rallied around him.

 

 

Questions

1. The current Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau made a racist comment. True or false? What did he do?

2. Did this happen only once? Was it an isolated incident?

3. Has he defended his actions, or did he admit to what he did?

4. “When I was in high school, I . . . uh . . . dressed up at a talent show. And . . . uh, sang ‘Deo’. With, with makeup on.” Justin sounds very confident and assured of himself. What do you think?

5. Were these allegations uncovered and brought to light through social media, i.e. Twitter and Facebook?

6. These revelations occurred at a critical, crucial moment. Is this right or wrong?

7. Members of Justin’s Liberal Party have resoundingly condemned him. Is this correct or incorrect?

 

A. Do you think Justin Trudeau is a racist? Should he step down as PM?

B. What is the relationship between race and politics?

C. How does the Trudeau scandal compare with those of US President Donald Trump?

D. What can you say about “political correctness” or “political incorrectness”?

E. What might happen in the future?