This past week revealed that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paraded himself in black face and brown face on at least four separate occasions from the 1980’s until 2001. Yes, he really should have known better and definitely should have done better. But couldn’t the same be said of all of us? When confronted by some of our youthful actions, few of us emerge without blemish. This is especially true when public sentiments about acceptable behaviors and lifestyles shift. What was perfectly fine to say or do twenty years ago may be taboo today. Is it fair to condemn each other and public figures today for past comments that are presently unacceptable?
I would say it depends on how the person has evolved with the times. Personally, I find it a distraction from important issues of the day to dig out someone’s behavior or comments from thirty years ago in an attempt to describe who that person is today. Of course, this excludes actual crimes like rape, murder, and theft where people were seriously injured for life. Time should never be an escape hatch from the consequences of such actions. But when it comes to sentiments and social attitudes, time should temper our judgement of others.
I know that I’m not the person I was thirty years ago. Many of my ideas, beliefs, attitudes, and values have shifted. For example, I was once pro-life and now I am pro-choice. I shutter at the thought of a college paper I turned in for a grade in which I cogently argued in favor of my pro-life stance at the time. Today, I vehemently disagree with my younger self. I haven’t always cared about the environment. But today, I care deeply. My point is that people can and often do change their opinions on social issues. But we’ve allowed the media and political opponents to normalize the practice of characterizing candidates using old comments or past behaviors. This practice steals the airtime from the real issues we need to hear these candidates address.
I guess my point is that we must give space for people in our lives and candidates running for our highest offices to tell us who they are today and what they stand for today. When past comments and behavior emerge, let’s provide them the opportunity to quickly acknowledge their past and tell us how they have evolved. Justin Trudeau did that this past week and I hope the Canadian people were listening and understanding and will quickly move on to the real issues their nation faces. And I hope that we will do the same during this crucial 2020 election season.