Smear campaign

Re: Trudeau’s contrite act undone by inanities, Chris Selley, Sept. 25

After hearing of the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau using blackface and brownface, my reaction was not that of anger or disgust, as many have expressed, but rather that of disappointment. I was disappointed that some people chose to use cheap tactics in hopes of maligning Trudeau, just a few weeks before Canadians take to the polls.

As a person of colour, and as an Ahmadi Muslim, no doubt I find using black and brown face to be offensive, but I also find it wrong to dig up and publicize the indiscretions of someone’s youth.

These pictures were from roughly two decades ago, long before Trudeau was holding office, and his record as prime minister speaks to how much he has grown since then.

Trudeau has been one of the strongest voices in Canadian politics which encourages pluralism. Whether it was him allowing thousands of Syrian refugees to seek refuge in Canada, or his opposition of Quebec’s Bill 21, he has always been at the forefront of promoting diversity and combating division.

By fostering a smear campaign, the only result is that it distracts us from the real issues at hand, like climate change or our economic growth. The fact Trudeau apologized as soon as these pictures were made public should be enough for everyone to move on and focus on what really matters.

Blawal Aleem, Maple, Ont.