Justin Trudeau is often hailed as one of the world's most feminist national leaders, but he has come in for criticism after a video emerged of him calling out a woman for using the word "mankind" instead of "peoplekind."
The Canadian prime minister was taking questions during a Q&A at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Canada when a young woman told him her charitable religious group was having trouble navigating the country's volunteering regulations.
After asking him to look into the policies further, she said: "Maternal love is the love that's going to change the future of mankind." To which Trudeau replied: "We like to say peoplekind, not necessarily mankind 'cause it's more inclusive."
The woman responded in good faith saying, "There you go!" as the audience broke into applause. Trudeau added: "We can all learn from each other."
The Canadian prime minister is known for his gender-equal cabinet, vocal support of feminism and for encouraging men to do more to challenge the sexism they face. But critics have previously questioned his commitment to gender equality, asking whether he is a "fake feminist", and now he is being roundly mocked on Twitter for "mansplaining feminism" and making up a word, rather than using "humankind".
Here's what people are saying...
Justin Trudeau lands on the moon: “That’s one small step for people, one giant leap for #peoplekind.”
— J.J. McCullough (@JJ_McCullough) February 5, 2018
For the sake of 'peoplekind', please learn these new politically correct terms so Justin Trudeau doesn't scold you #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/SKXfEas1lz
— Ontario Proud (@ontarioisproud) February 6, 2018
TFW a man tells you you're the wrong type of feminist https://t.co/wQ8CkmXwa5
— Robyn Urback (@RobynUrback) February 5, 2018
Or you know, humankind... if you're going to burn someone at least sound intelligent. Who is the "we" he is referring to? I'm pretty confident no one has ever used the word "peoplekind".
— Michelle Buissé (@mbuisse) February 6, 2018
In the age of #peoplekind which has been ushered in by our feminist PM, Justin Trudeau:
— Danielle (@HerbMajesty) February 6, 2018
Woman = Wopeople
Menopause = Peoplepause
Manicure = Peoplecure
Menstruate = Peoplestruate
Get it right, bigots.
Is Trudeau mansplaining feminism? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CX3U83FJ8o
— I,Hypocrite (@lporiginalg) February 5, 2018
Watch Trudeau chasten a teen girl for saying “mankind,” as he prefers the more inclusive “peoplekind”
— Chet Cannon (@Chet_Cannon) February 5, 2018
He is one sanctimonious git pic.twitter.com/O66W8rT5kK
I grant you that it's a tough call, but I think it's wrong to focus on the irony of Trudeau interrupting a woman to tell her "mankind" is improper. I think it's *more* amazing that he invented a new word. (I checked; it's not in https://t.co/CaNIt3Kdvs) https://t.co/dJvzVzfd9M
— Robert P. Murphy (@BobMurphyEcon) February 6, 2018
Predictably, many others claimed the more inclusive word "peoplekind" was evidence of "political correctness gone mad".
Get your words correct in
— BK🇺🇸The Storm Is Here🇺🇸 (@BK_Trump) February 6, 2018
Canada's Trudeau
Because PC is out of control
in 🇨🇦
Canada is doomed. #Trudeau is a worthless p*ssy#TrudeauMustGo#TuesdayThoughts
Justin Trudeau corrects woman saying "mankind", it's "PEOPLEKIND" https://t.co/Gw76AMCaWR via @YouTube
Speaker: "Maternal love is the love that's going to change the future of mankind."@JustinTrudeau reels back, appalled at her exclusivity & interrupts to make the correction: "We like to say peoplekind. It's more inclusive."
— Julia (@PCisNewspeak) February 6, 2018
2018 is a George Orwell novelhttps://t.co/MItLwW2RDq
The clip emerged less than a week after Canadian senators passed legislation to make the country's national anthem gender neutral, changing the line from “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command”.
Speaking of the change, which campaigners have been backing for 30 years, senator Frances Lankin said: “This may be small – it’s about two words – but it’s huge in terms of one of our major national symbols. It’s inclusivity and I’m proud.”
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