EDITORIAL

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s embarrassing mistake is not just an issue in a fraught election campaign; it offers a teachable moment for many Canadians

The photos released of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in “brown face” were a shock to the political system embroiled in an election campaign.

Quietly, the images also resulted in self-examination and cringing for people in this province and this country. Many are grappling with shameful memories of painted faces and Halloween costumes in light of the news coverage.

One woman wrote to the Starphoenix, remembering the decades-long practice of painting the faces of shepherds and wise men in annual nativity plays. She was far from alone in working through these kinds of images from the past.

Times have changed, and with them, awareness of the need for bridging gaps of knowledge has increased. Front of mind for anyone living in this province should be embracing the movement to understand the effects and history of treatment of Indigenous people.

A study released by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner illustrates the importance being placed on this issue. In a survey of 3,000 Saskatchewan residents, 90 per cent acknowledged racism in Saskatchewan and 91 per cent said reconciliation is important. There is clearly room for improvement, however, as 46 per cent said they see the current relationship between Indigenous and non-indigenous citizens as negative and 36 per cent said they see it positively. A majority of respondents — 64 per cent — agreed that the relationship is improving.

How do we keep things moving in a better direction?

Defensiveness is a huge barrier to reconciliation and tolerance. It is important to be willing to recognize our past behaviour that came out of a place of ignorance, and admit we should have known better. “Good intentions” don’t excuse actions that perpetuate stereotypes and build walls.

As the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission website explains, “Discrimination can flow from prejudice, negative stereotypes, or a failure to consider the needs of others. Sometimes discrimination is deliberate and direct. For instance, discrimination can take the form of racist insults, sexual harassment, or the refusal to hire people because of their age or religion.” But, it continues, “Discrimination can also be indirect or unintentional.”

This quote from Maya Angelou comes to mind: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Thankfully, as the people of this province hear from those who have faced marginalization and discrimination, we now indeed do know better. We also have no excuse for defending insensitive and damaging past behaviour.

It is difficult, perhaps impossible, for healing to take place without recognition of harm and wrongdoing. This is true of actions large and small.

Trudeau’s embarrassing mistake is not just an issue in a fraught election campaign; it offers a teachable moment for many Canadians.