Jill Andrew Passion misunderstood as aggression!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Their Handbags are more than $1,000.00” Jill Andrew, 2019

I had to chuckle when Jill said this during our interview; this remark is in regards to the decision by the Ford Conservative to budget $1,000.00 for Anti-Racism Initiatives. It is an interesting statement that brings a world of perspective. Jill is faced every day with truth of what our political situation is like here in Ontario, and she refuses to let things go on the way that they are. If there is one thing that can be said about Jill Andrew is that she fights for the Afro-Caribbean community with all that she has. This is exactly why those who are afraid of the strength that makes up our Woman Empowered Feature have used the word aggression, instead of passion. I would like to introduce an unsung people’s champion Jill Andrew.

She knew it was time to make a difference in June of 2018 when she edged out Liberal Jess Spindler 18,843 votes to 17,495. She had captured Toronto St. Paul, and it was the beginning of a new journey for her. Her main objective was to have the black community members see themselves represented and respected when they look at their government. She knew she had been given a job; to be at the table whenever decisions were being made for the black community, a job she has taken on with pride and dignity.

Her dedication to her job is apparent even in conversation. I had every intention going into this interview to learn about her past, and what had brought her to this point in her career. I think we tried that, but her passion for the issues at hand moved our conversation in another direction. The recent decision by the Conservative government to allot $1,000.00 to Anti-Racism initiatives was an insult, and this was after months of the Conservative government dodging questions from the opposition, the media and the public about the future of the Anti-Racism Directorate. Jill was controlled, but notably disturbed about this during our interview.

“We need our Human Rights” Jill Andrew

Jill is one of the founding members of the NDP Black Caucus; the caucus was established as a direct result of an initial black community leaders’ roundtable discussion at Queen’s Park. The key was to formalize representation and direct engagement with the black community as a group and to really have a presence in the political realm. Her involvement is centred on the fact that this newly created NDP Black Caucus was to ensure that black perspectives are incorporated into the work that the NDP Democrats do, from finance, to health care, and the most important part for Jill, education. Jill now had the opportunity to do what she loves doing, working actively and collaboratively with black communities to address systemic anti-black racism. She would be able to fight for the people, in a space that many community members would not have a chance to fight.

“Education is a focus!” Jill Andrew

Jill is very passionate about youth and education in the black community. She strongly believes that regardless of a child’s race, postal code, or socioeconomic status they should see themselves represented in their day-to-day school experiences. Her list is long, and she is not shy in letting her voice be heard when it comes to the needs of black children in Toronto. Stories should be shared in school that reflect their lived experiences in school libraries and libraries in their communities. This would also mean that the curriculum, assessments (Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office), evaluations and reporting would have to be changed to more culturally relevant and responsive. She has witnessed the shame that black children feel when they look at the conditions of their school compared to schools in other areas; children afraid to drink the water and experiencing having to study when the room is to hot to even think straight.

The needs for our youth do not just exist within the walls of a school; Jill also wants a black child’s experience in their community to be a pleasant one, and not one based on fear of discrimination or racial profiling. Children should be treated as children and not adults, and parents should not have to worry about getting a call that their child has been arrested because they may match a description.

“We cannot be complacent! Jill Andrew

Jill urges the community to get involved as much as you can. Become knowledgeable about issues by reading, researching and contacting your MPP’s. Many people are scared or anxious about reaching out to their MPP’s, but it is a lot easier than you may think. The first step is to know whom you have to communicate with in the House of Commons, which means contacting your Member of Parliament. This is the person who represents your electoral riding. The answers to these questions are a Google search away. Jill has no problem fighting for her people, but she wants the community to actively begin to stand up for themselves. If you are in the Toronto-St.Paul’s riding, you can email her at JAndrew-CO@ndp.on.ca or contact her at 416-656-0943.