With just a week until Ontarians head to the polls, Ontario NDP candidate Amanda Zavitz has withdrawn from the race following backlash over comments she made during a 2024 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women conference. Zavitz, a sociology professor at Western University, had revealed a “secret desire to be a Black woman,” sparking widespread criticism.
Zavitz, who was running in the Elgin-Middlesex-London riding, announced her resignation on Facebook, stating, “After further reflection and discussions with community members, I have decided to resign as the Ontario NDP candidate for the upcoming election. It has become clear that my past comments are distracting from the critical task of defeating Doug Ford and electing an Ontario NDP government.”
The remarks, highlighted by the Progressive Conservative Party, came from a speech in which Zavitz reflected on an exercise called “post secret,” where participants shared deep secrets. Zavitz stated her desire stemmed from wanting to overcome the societal barriers she faces as a white woman advocating for equality. However, critics, including equity consultant Nicole Kaniki, argued the comments demonstrated a lack of understanding of the lived experiences of Black women, calling them problematic and objectifying.
NDP leader Marit Stiles described the remarks as “deeply concerning” but did not confirm Zavitz’s candidacy status before her resignation. Zavitz apologized, saying her intent was to highlight systemic racism and improve understanding but acknowledged the harm caused by her words.
The controversy has drawn attention to broader conversations about race, privilege, and allyship in political advocacy, with many questioning the party’s candidate vetting process as election day nears.
Source: Swifteradio.com
