That Was Then, This Was Now?

By Baxter

Back when we cats were kittens, we were in a high school talent show. One of the acts was a performance of this 1953 novelty song (originated by a Canadian group, we might add) by two good friends of ours — who sang it in turbans, flowing robes and brownface.

It was more than 40 years ago, in front of an all-white and very appreciative audience. Everyone loved our friends' performance and thought the song was hilarious. Nobody questioned their costuming. But we cats have thought about it often lately, as politicians in the US have been caught in old photos sporting makeup that spoofs racial minorities.

Now, a similar picture of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has surfaced from a 2001 "Arabian Nights" party. He immediately met with reporters on his campaign plane and said the following: "This was something I shouldn't have done many years ago. It was something that I didn't think was racist at the time, but now I recognize it was something racist to do. And I am deeply sorry."

We don't know why this Trudeau photo is just coming to light now, or if he knew or remembered that it existed or, if he did, why he didn't get out in front of it earlier. But he's put into very simple words how we now feel about our friends' performance of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." Can you imagine someone in 2019 doing the same thing with Bombay and Mumbai — dressed like, say, Mahatma Gandhi? Nope. A teachable moment. We cats switch our tails, and think.