@gregggonsalves deserves thanks for the thought put into his thread, which is well worth reading. However, it’s about the appropriateness of bunching together to protest, not the actions of leaders seeking to demonstrate allyship. @DonPlett is challenging @JustinTrudeau. 1/x
Leadership is exercised in many ways. One of them is performance. Leading by example may take the form of a public demonstration, calculated to produce images that will be widely viewed. This political theatre is central to Trudeau’s leadership style, and often scripted. 2/x
So when the PM takes a knee while mingling with a crowd of political resisters, his actions should be judged by the appropriateness of the symbolism, of the images likely to be generated and the meaning to be taken. 3/x
Trudeau’s performative #BLM allyship is not intended to rally support for pandemic-related public-health initiatives. He’s building on the ground he staked out with a 21-second silence, followed by a call for Canadians to come to terms with anti-black racism in this country. 4/x
So this demonstration by Trudeau at a #GeorgeFloyd-related event should be judged on its potential in building support for #BLM, not on whether it’s a net gain for public health. Yes, racism undermines the entire concept of public health. But anti-black policing predates ... 5/x
... #COVID19Canada by more than a century. Anti-black racism undermines social policy initiatives beyond public health. The police killing of #georgefloyd has swelled the pride and courage of so many. It’s important not to distract attention from the focus of their anger. 6/x
In more than a minute of CNN video, Trudeau is shown masked and maintaining appropriate distance as he walks, masked, among protesters. The distancing breaks down as he kneels alongside Social Development Minister Ahmad Hussen, with only half a metre separating their faces. 7/x
The kneeling shot is what’s drawn criticism. It’s familiar: the PM is a hypocrite who merrily ignores the strictures of chief medical officers, polishing his own image at the expense of Canadians whose dreams of prosperity have been shattered by government-ordered shutdowns. 8/x
Much of the criticism of Trudeau is being made in bad faith - by people who aren’t suffering much hardship from COVID19 and by those who’ll seize on anything to discredit #BLM because, well, to them, black lives don’t matter so much, and neither do a lot of others. 9/x
But I believe folks who’ve been working all the way through this pandemic for scant reward, and others who’ve had to shutter their small businesses, take on crushing debt and watch their kids struggle with schoolwork, will also be dismayed at how the PM handled the scene. 10/x
I also believe Trudeau could have done better. He could easily have maintained a two-metre distance from others while kneeling. He could also have done his kneeling off to the side, recognizing that the allyship of white people should not reclaim space won by black action. 11/x
If taking a knee is even an appropriate gesture for a Canadian PM, beyond a desire to provide a clip that attracts the attention of American viewers. 12/x
So on this one I don’t think the criticism of Trudeau can be dismissed out of hand. I also don’t think we can just let slide the more substantive challenges that Justin Trudeau ought to face about anti-black racism in Canada. 13/x
Trudeau’s cabinet includes, as public safety minister, @BillBlair, who led @TorontoPolice at a time when the constituents of Canada’s largest concentration of black people suffered well-documented prejudicial policing. 14/x
Blair is the cabinet minister responsible for the @rcmpgrcpolice, which continues to be an agent of racism and misogyny in its policing practices, as it has throughout its history. Blair and Trudeau will be held to account for RCMP actions in the recent #NovaScotiaShooting. 15/x
Trudeau, one of our most performative politicians, raises awareness of the injustice that surrounds us, rooted in our history. As prime minister he is also uniquely positioned to drive action against racism and its legacies. He must be pushed to do so, every single day. 16/16
@threadreaderapp unroll pls tx
