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For Trudeau, only the electoral race counts

A young Trudeau in dark makeup is not something to be ashamed about, so why get touchy and preachy? If it hurts someone's sensitive side, so be it.

Like him or hate him, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is no racist, he's only putting on an act. He may have painted himself black, and into a corner during a school event 18 years ago, a picture of which surfaced in a magazine on Thursday ahead of a tough election.
Trudeau is not even colourful, though he appears vain and thoughtful. He is politically savvy and crafty, too. Back when the picture was taken he was a teacher striving to be cool, trying to blend in at a themed party, donning an Arab costume.
Sadly, that private show has made him stand out today. I see no signs of racism or insult to other cultures in that visual.
But his critics are portraying him to be a racist which is unfair and he doesn't even put up a fight to defend himself! So uncool of the PM who will do or say anything to pacify every man and his uncle to keep his election prospects bright and beautiful.
"I shouldn't have done that. I should have known better and I didn't. I'm really sorry." Makes me cringe.
Reporters then asked him if what he did in the photograph was racist. "Yes, it was. I didn't consider it racist at the time, but now we know better. He will go so low as to play the vanquished when he should have simply played the victim and stood his ground.
He was 29 when the picture was taken; the son of a former prime minister who was part of the elite crowd as a teacher.
Now as prime minister Trudeau has strained to win people over with his liberal values, but that's not enough for him to find a spot in my premier league team.
Why, I don't even have a list of favourite prime ministers. Perhaps it stems from my genetic distrust of politicians. I am at liberty to change my mind about them at a time of my choosing. Ideology does not shape my politics, action does. It also sharpens my ability to pick and choose people who rule over me.
The trouble with the Canadian PM is that he is quick to admit to everything in his bid appear the most popular guy in the room. He makes dumb look dumber in his greed for support. He is flexible with his statements and quick at apologising just to get his opponents over his side. I see politics in everything he does, which makes me hate his leadership style that is all charm and no substance.
That don't impress me much, I shall say with irreverence, borrowing a line from a song by Shania Twain, the Country and Western star who also happens to be Canadian.
I am reminded of Trudeau's India trip with his family some years ago. New Delhi kept him waiting for an official reception because of his government's alleged support for Sikh terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, the Trudeaus put on a show and decked themselves in traditional Indian costumes hoping to garner some attention from the Press and the Indian public. It flopped from word go, and the PM was left to lick his wounds from the PR disaster.
I know I wrote about more leaders coming clean with apologies for past blunders and historical tragedies but Trudeau is trudging too far, he's going the distance to say sorry. He is out of control. Someone should rein him, and soon.
The add to his troubles the Canadian PM is facing corruption charges involving a large engineering firm.
But he is huge fan of minority group, and is at ease with different cultures and has embraced them. In fact, 35 members of his cabinet are from ethnic minorities. It's a delicate balancing act for the PM, and Trudeau is clearly slipping in the perception game.
Meanwhile, a channel has claimed it has footage showing Trudeau in a "third instance of racist makeup" (whatever that means). I watched some videos which show a man making faces dabbed in dark makeup; he is sticking his tongue out, and his jeans are ripped at the knees. A young Trudeau in dark makeup is not something to be ashamed about, so why get touchy and preachy? If it hurts someone's sensitive side, so be it. Perhaps the Canadian prime minister should develop a thick skin. These incidents prove nothing - the PM isn't racist, and the only race that matters is the electoral race and a second term for Trudeau.
- allan@khaleejtimes.com