Controversial images of Canada鈥檚 prime minister as a younger man in brownface and blackface have struck a nerve with North-Okanagan Shuswap candidate Harwinder Sandhu.
鈥淚t does hurt 鈥� I鈥檓 still in shock actually,鈥� Sandhu told the Observer on Thursday after images surfaced showing a 29-year-old Trudeau wearing brownface at a 2001 鈥淎rabian Nights鈥� party, and of Trudeau in blackface makeup in his high school talent show.
鈥淚t was a dumb thing to do,鈥� Trudeau said during an emergency news conference on the Liberal campaign plane before taking off for Winnipeg. 鈥淚鈥檓 disappointed in myself, I鈥檓 pissed off at myself for having done it. I wish I hadn鈥檛 done it, but I did it, and I apologize for it.鈥�
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Sandhu first read the news about the controversial photos on Wednesday, Sept. 18, after she arrived home from work.
鈥淔irst I was shocked,鈥� Sandhu said. 鈥淚 felt betrayed because regardless of my political belief 鈥� I used to believe Trudeau is much more accepting compared to previous leaders we鈥檝e had.鈥�
After immigrating from India to Canada in 2001, Sandhu was widowed at an early age. She moved to Vernon to be with her kids and has since remarried and raised her family. Aside from her candidacy for the North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP, Sandhu is a registered nurse and works with organizations like the BC Nurses Union to advocate for health-care workers and patients.
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While she has tried to give Trudeau the benefit of the doubt, ultimately it is the years of racism she has experienced that has helped her come to terms with the news.
鈥淪peaking for myself, you develop a thick skin,鈥� Sandhu said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I try to teach my daughters 鈥� don鈥檛 take it personal.鈥�
After reading the comments below articles about the controversy, she is devastated to see people writing to say there are other problems that politicians should be focused on.
鈥淲hen people say there are bigger issues, I believe this is the biggest issue,鈥� Sandhu said. 鈥淲e need to work together, we cannot do this without everybody鈥檚 help and we cannot shove this issue under the carpet.鈥�
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Cameron.thomson@saobserver.net
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