Operation Black Vote – Seat at the Table: Empowering black Canadians 2022

BY DAVE RANKIN

I recently attended the Seat at the Table virtual event hosted by Operation Black Vote this past week. The theme was quite fitting since our demographic has been unrepresented and under-valued since I can remember. Thus, when policies have been established, our community seems to always get the butt end of the stick. However, an event such as this can begin to foster the empowerment that black Canadians so deserve on the political landscape.

The virtual discussion was hosted by Kevin Modeste who introduced the three-person panel from the NDP, whom I may add has the largest Black Caucus of any political party in the nation. After exchanging pleasantries, he handed the reins off to Heather Douglas who has been a longstanding advocate for our community. MPP of Kitchener and Chair of the NDP Black Caucus Laura Mae Lindo was the first panelist to greet the well-attended affair.

She began telling her story of how she got involved with the NDP. In line with African traditions of speaking with elders before committing to a decision, MPP Laura Mae Lindo told the panel of how she conversed with her uncle and political stalwart, Alvin Curling. He advised her that every party uses their tools differently, and that the tools of the NDP must speak to you directly. Little did she know that she would later become the Chairperson of the largest Black Caucus in the country.

Special advisor to the Leader, Jared Walker was the next panelist. He spoke quite at length and with great enthusiasm of the importance of supportive roles within the party. From speech writing to policy drafting, it’s all part of the process to ensure we as a people have a seat at the table.

Vice President of the Ontario NDP, Majorie Knight was the final panelist to speak. She started by stating that the NDP is wholly committed to have more “black people” to become a part of the party because “our children need to see our faces as representatives they can look up to.” Vice President Ms. Knight continued by highlighting her process of becoming a candidate and the heavily-relied on ‘Nomination Workbook’ which is a step-by-step instruction manual that has assisted all candidates past, present and future.

The sentiment that echoed throughout the discussion was that the NDP created a ‘real seat’ for black members of the party by establishing the Black Caucus. MPP Laura Mae Lindo elucidated the fact that since the Caucus was formed the types of discussions have changed and with that there was a new level of respect happening at Queen’s Park.

Prior to the end of the session, the panelists took the time to introduce the party’s latest initiative, the BIPOC Victory Fund. The fund was created to ‘specifically support black, Indigenous, and racialized candidates.’ The support deemed towards its recipients can be anywhere from a monetary standpoint to even a suggested nomination of someone who would be a wonderful fit for the party. All in all, it’s all part of the process to make sure we have a true seat at the table. For more information about the fund, please visit https://www.ontariondp.ca/bipoc-candidates. For more information about Operation Black Vote Canada, please visit https://obvc.ca/.