The history of blackface in North America

The controversy surrounding Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has prompted discussions about race, oppression and equality.

As photos and video have emerged showing Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in brown- and blackface, experts are pointing to the larger societal issues that give rise to this type of racism.

“What’s important to think about is that he is participating in a much more widespread societal trend of this kind of humour that disparages and ridicules black people,” Philip S. S. Howard, a professor in education at McGill University who has researched the history of blackface in Canada, told Global News.

Shallima Maharaj reports.

#JustinTrudeau #JustinTrudeaublackfacephoto #JustinTrudeaubrownfacephoto #GlobalNews