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Jamil Jivani
Jivani, in 2023.
Born (1987-10-24) October 24, 1987 (age 37)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Radio host, Lawyer (non-practising)
EmployerBell Media (2020–22)
Political partyConservative
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (former)
Websitehttps://www.votejamil.ca/

Jamil Jivani (born October 24, 1987) is a Canadian radio host, non-practising lawyer, politician, author and political commentator.[1] He is the founder of the Policing Literacy Initiative,[2] co-founder of Teachers Beyond the Classroom,[3] he sat on the Premier's Council on Equality of Opportunity and is the Advocate for Community Opportunities for the Doug Ford government.[4]

Currently he is the Conservative candidate for the Ontario riding of Durham in the upcoming by-election which will be held following the resignation of former Opposition Leader Erin O'Toole.[5]

Early life and education

Jivani was born in Toronto, Ontario to an immigrant father from Kenya and a mother who is Scottish-Irish from the United Kingdom.[6][7] He grew up with his two sisters, who their mother raised in Brampton.[6] Jivani also has two stepbrothers through his father side.[8] After attending Fletcher’s Creek Senior Public School then Gordon Graydon Memorial,[9] Jivani attended Humber College and York University.[10] In 2013, he earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.[11][12] Before attending law school, Jivani worked as a dishwasher and line cook in local Toronto area restaurants.[13]

While a student at Yale, Jivani was Program Director of the Yale Chapter of the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project[14] and President of the Yale Black Law Students Association.[15][16] He was also part of the Innovations in Policing Clinic, in which he authored a case study of police-community relations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[17] He also interned at the office of then Cory Booker, then-mayor of Newark, and current Democratic U.S. Senator of New Jersey.[18] At Yale, he was a classmate and best friend of future Republican Senator of Ohio and author of Hillbilly Elegy, J. D. Vance.[19][20][21] Jivani was also a 2014-15 articling student at Torys LLP.[22]

Career

Activism

In 2013 Jivani founded the Policing Literacy Initiative (PLI), a youth-driven public education and advocacy group focused on community safety issues.[23] Jivani stated to CBC Metro Morning that the purpose of PLI is to spotlight progressive voices among police and community groups and work with them to find common solutions.[24] Jivani wrote an editorial for the National Post in February 2014 about his experience with Toronto Police and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director and the use of mediated conversations for citizen complaints.[25] In April 2014, Jivani co-produced with Dan Epstein a documentary about police-community relations titled "Crisis of Distrust: Police and Community in Toronto."[26][27]

Jivani was a 2013-14 Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance DiverseCity Fellow.[28][29] As a Fellow, he co-founded Teachers Beyond the Classroom, which seeks to "help thousands of unemployed teachers transfer their skills to non-school employment opportunities across the Greater Toronto Area."[30] He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto.[31] On February 13, 2014, Jivani was named Yale Alumni Magazine's Newsmaker of the Week.[32]

External videos
video icon After Words interview with Jivani on Why Young Men, July 6, 2019, C-SPAN

Think Tank Fellow

In 2020, he was appointed senior fellow for Diversity and Empowerment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a conservative, libertarian think tank affiliated with the US Atlas Network.[33][34] His association with the Institute ended in 2023.[35] He later became president of the Canada Strong and Free Network, but stepped down to announce his candidacy for the Conservative nomination in Durham.[36]

Punditry and dismissal from Bell

He has written about youth and equality issues for Huffington Post.[37] and has articles published frequently in Postmedia chains.[5]

On September 8, 2020, Bell Media announced that Jamil Jivani would host a new weekday nightly radio talk show 'Tonight with Jamil Jivani', from 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM. The show would air on NEWSTALK 1010 and across the iHeart Radio Network.[38] In February 2021, Bell Media went under a corporate restructuring within its radio division. It was announced Jamil Jivani would move to the 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM time slot and his show would be rebranded as 'The Jamil Jivani Show'.[39]

Jivani was later fired from Bell Media, which he claimed was due to him not conforming to Black stereotypes.[40] In August 2022, Jamil Jivani sued Bell Media for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract.[40] Bell filed a statement of defence, claiming that Jivani was let go because he showed disdain for concerns raised by Bell management over issues such as avoiding pushing back against COVID-19 misinformation and misgendering Demi Lovato.[41]

Political career

On December 11, 2019, the Government of Ontario appointed Jivani as the province's first Advocate for Community Opportunities. In this role, and as a Special Advisor to the Premier, Mr. Jivani will open lines of communication between communities and the government to empower community members and enable them to increase their participation in government decision-making.[42][43] Critics, such as his former mentor Neil Price, felt that Jivani used his role to criticized the communities that he was supposed to uplift.[6] He was reappointed on April 1, but resigned on June 9 after criticizing Education Minister Stephen Lecce on social media over the closure of schools and vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic.[44]

Jivani moderated the first unofficial debate during the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election where he took aim at Patrick Brown, who skipped the debate by arguing that he was manipulating diaspora politics to boost his campaign. An official working for Brown said that the party should welcome new Canadians to the party.[45]

On April 20, 2023, Jivani announced that he would run for the Conservative nomination in Durham riding, following the resignation of Erin O'Toole.[46] On August 20, 2023, he won the nomination race, defeating Theresa Corless, a former Durham Catholic School Board chair.[5] He will therefore be the party candidate in the by-election.

Political views

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Jivani has been characterized as a black conservative[47] and a leading proponent of national conservatism in Canada.[48][49] Jivani who has championed national conservatism ideas about nationalism, the role of government, and race[48] has advocated that Canada should return to the ideals of the Reform Party.[50] He has stated that his views were shaped by father who abandoned his family when he was in elementary school by arguing that he was trying to find male role models.[6]

Race and culture

Jivani views U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a trailblazer for diversity.[51] Jivani has praised American rapper Kayne West and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for standing up to what he see as "cancel culture" after West was criticized for wearing a white lives matter shirt and Smith over her views about COVID-19.[52]

In July 2020, Jivani supported the Government of Ontario decision to eliminate academic streaming in Grade 9 and most suspensions that impacted young students in the province. He views Black Lives Matter movement as "anti-family fringe race activists" that hate the nuclear family and capitalism and has viewed the term “systemic racism" with skepticism.[6] Jivani has suggested that terms such as systemic criticism as well as "white privilege" has advanced critical race theory which he believes is an issue in Canada.[53]

Crime and extremism

In March 2014, Jivani advocated for policy changes to the Toronto Police Services Board for police-community contacts and "carding." He argues that people's identity should not be the reason why they could be stopped by police.[54][55] He has admitted to facing similar incidents. He is a critic of the defund the police movement arguing that they do not represented the "Black Community".[6][56] However, he has advocated for criminal justice reform by admitting that police officers must treat people with respect, calling for mandating body cameras for police,[57] and has praised then Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders for attempting to reduce Toronto Police budget.[58]

In his book, Why Young Men: Rage Race and the Crisis of Identity he suggested that poverty and lack of "validation in mainstream society" were factors behind the cause of crime.[59] He also added in a later interview that lack of opportunity and inadequate social services as causes behind crime. A few years later, he blamed social media. He also suggested that the hip-hop industry, which he believes is galvanizing "gangster culture" should be investigated for "the role in causing crime."[6][59] Previously in 2012, when writing for the Huffington Post, Jivani criticized then-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and then immigration minister Jason Kenney for their remarks on the cause behind Toronto shootings as demeaning. When Ford suggested "immigration law" and Kenney suggested "foreign gangsters" as caused he argued that it was similar to tactics used by the Mitt Romney and criticized then Prime Minister Stephen Harper for failing to condemn them both.[60]

Jivani praised federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, then-Minnesota Democratic congressman Keith Ellison, University of Toronto professor of psychology, Jordan Peterson, as positive inspirations for young males to counter extremism.[61]

Conservatism

Jivani previously described that he held liberal views for a few years after law school but grew out of those views as he grew older[18] and considers conservatism as a form of counterculture.[49] He classified Quebec's Bill 96, which would provide most government and business services to be offered exclusively in French, as an example of national conservatism being implemented in Canada.[62]

Books

Jivani contributed to the 2012 anthology, Jamaica in the Canadian Experience: A Multiculturalizing Presence,[63] In 2019, he published Why Young Men: The Dangerous Allure of Violent Movements and What We Can Do About It.[64]

Personal life

Jivani resides in Oshawa[40] and is married to a woman named Maya.[65]

References

  1. ^ Thomson, Stuart (2023-08-11). "The future of the Conservative Party is more diverse (with a few caveats)". The Hub. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  2. ^ Rankin, Jim. Also the author of Why Young Men: Rage, Race and the Crisis of Identity and gave away couple of books to Hemanth Sundaresan, Josh Young at Fletcher's Creek Senior Public School."A civil approach to changing police", Toronto Star, Toronto, 9 February 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  3. ^ Civic Action. "ALERT city-building project rises above the rest at ELNshowcase" Archived 2014-07-02 at archive.today, Toronto, 2 April 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Appointee Biographies - Public Appointments Secretariat". www.pas.gov.on.ca. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Jamil Jivani named Conservative candidate in GTA riding of Durham". The Globe and Mail. 2023-08-20. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Ontario's opportunities advocate accused of anti-Blackness". The Globe and Mail. 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  7. ^ "The Consequences of Growing up without a Father | The Walrus". 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  8. ^ Writer, Donovan Vincent Feature (2018-04-06). "He wrote a book about the life choices that young men face. Then he got diagnosed with cancer". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  9. ^ Reporter, Nicholas Keung Immigration (2013-07-14). "Yale University law grad Jamil Jivani has a message for other struggling kids". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  10. ^ Chappel, Sara. "G.A.S. program opens doors for Humber students", Humber College, Toronto, 18 January 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  11. ^ Keung, Nicholas. "Yale University law grad Jamil Jivani has a message for other struggling kids", Toronto Star, Toronto, 14 July 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  12. ^ Share News. "GTA students excelling academically in the U.S." Archived 2013-08-07 at the Wayback Machine, Share News, Toronto, 19 June 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  13. ^ Getachew, Samuel. "A Journey From Dishwashing To Yale Law", Huffington Post, 9 October 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  14. ^ Yale Law School. "Yale Law School Hosts Area High School Students at Third Annual Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition" Archived 2013-01-08 at the Wayback Machine, New Haven, CT, 30 March 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  15. ^ Yale Law School. "Justice Clarence Thomas ’74 Visits the Law School" Archived 2014-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, New Haven, CT, 14 December 2011. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  16. ^ Rodriguez-Florido, Liz. "Panel outlines changes in hip-hop", Yale Daily News, New Haven, CT, 29 February 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  17. ^ Yale Law School. "Innovations in Policing Clinic" Archived 2015-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, New Haven, CT. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  18. ^ a b Jivani, Jamil (December 14, 2020). "Jamil Jivani: Why I am not a liberal".
  19. ^ van Zuylen-Wood, Simon. "The radicalization of J.D. Vance". Washington Post. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  20. ^ "32: J. D. Vance - American Dreams and Nightmares - The Portal". Spotify. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  21. ^ Belouizdad, Skander (2020-11-26). "My friend the hillbilly: Jamil Jivani in the National Post". Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  22. ^ Torys LLP. "Student Program Toronto: Recent Hires". Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  23. ^ Policing Literacy Initiative. "PLI Home Page" Archived 2017-06-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  24. ^ CBC Metro Morning. "Policing Minorities", Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 22 May 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  25. ^ Jivani, Jamil. "Not happy with the police? Try talking to them" Archived 2014-07-02 at archive.today, National Post, 6 February 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  26. ^ Spurr, Ben. "A matter of trust, NOW Magazine. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  27. ^ Cole, Desmond. "Torontonians Speak Out About Police Carding", Torontoist, 23 May 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  28. ^ Eastwood, Joel. "DiverseCity Fellows focus on youth unemployment", Toronto Star, Toronto, 3 October 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  29. ^ Share News. "DiverseCity Fellows focus on youth unemployment" Archived 2014-03-27 at the Wayback Machine, Share News, Toronto, 15 November 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  30. ^ Criscione, Peter. "Emerging leaders make their pitch to improve GTA", Mississauga News, Toronto, 7 April 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  31. ^ Children's Aid Society of Toronto. "Board of Directors". Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  32. ^ Bass, Carole. "Jamil Jivani ’13JD: Yale blue, police blue", Yale Alumni Magazine, 13 February 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  33. ^ "How a conservative US network undermined Indigenous energy rights in Canada". the Guardian. 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  34. ^ Byers-Lane, Brett (2020-09-11). "MLI welcomes newest Senior Fellow, Jamil Jivani". Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  35. ^ Belouizdad, Skander (2023-01-10). "New challenges for Jamil Jivani". Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  36. ^ "Politics Briefing: Ottawa to provide Volkswagen with up to $13-billion in annual subsidies for EV battery plant". The Globe and Mail. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  37. ^ Huffington Post. "Entries by Jamil Jivani", Huffington Post. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  38. ^ "NEWSTALK 1010 Announces Prominent Canadian Jamil Jivani as Host of New Evening Show, Beginning Tonight".
  39. ^ "Bell Media cuts hit Toronto stations and jobs nationwide (Updated)". 4 February 2021.
  40. ^ a b c "Jamil Jivani sues Bell Media, alleging he was fired for not fitting 'Black stereotype'". 2 September 2022.
  41. ^ Humphreys, Adrian (October 27, 2022). "Bell's defence for firing only Black radio host says he showed disdain for diversity initiatives". Edmonton Journal.
  42. ^ "Giving Ontario Communities a Greater Voice in Government Decision Making". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  43. ^ Chief, Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau (2020-06-04). "Doug Ford launches anti-racism panel to help vulnerable youth". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  44. ^ "Ford government appointee resigns after calling education minister 'incompetent' | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  45. ^ Taylor, Stephanie (2022-05-05). "Conservative leadership candidates spar over COVID mandates, trucker convoy, Huawei". CTVNews. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  46. ^ "Conservative commentator Jamil Jivani to run to replace Erin O'Toole". CBC News. www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  47. ^ Boucher, Robyn (2021-03-01). "What Does it Mean to be a Black Conservative? Jamil Jivani on TVO's The Agenda". Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  48. ^ a b Speer, Sean (2023-07-29). "The conservative consensus is over. The consequences for the Canadian Right will be profound". The Hub. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  49. ^ a b Jivani, Jamil (August 12, 2022). "Jamil Jivani: Conservatism is the new counterculture, Liberals are 'the man'".
  50. ^ Jivani, Jamil (March 3, 2023). "Jamil Jivani: We need to prepare for a post-Trudeau Canada".
  51. ^ Jivani, Jamil (November 1, 2022). "Jamil Jivani: Clarence Thomas asks a question too many Canadians are afraid to".
  52. ^ Jivani, Jamil (October 7, 2022). "JIVANI: Kanye West and Danielle Smith defeat cancel culture".
  53. ^ Jivani, Jamil. "Jamil Jivani: Critical race theory is a real problem in Canada".
  54. ^ The Canadian Press. "Toronto police shouldn’t stop carding, lawyer says", The Globe and Mail, 13 March 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  55. ^ Cole, Desmond. "One Step Closer to Reform of Police Carding", Torontoist, 14 March 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  56. ^ Howells, Laura. "Ford-appointed adviser defends tweet on gun violence saying calls to defund police 'out of touch'". CBC. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  57. ^ Jivani, Jamil (February 1, 2023). "Jamil Jivani: Tyre Nichols killing shows why all police must wear body cameras".
  58. ^ Jivani, Jamil (October 28, 2020). "Jamil Jivani: Addressing the crisis of distrust in police".
  59. ^ a b Identity, Jamil Jivani Excerpted from Why Young Men: Rage Race and the Crisis of (2018-04-06). "My friend ended up in jail, I ended up at Yale: Toronto lawyer and activist Jamil Jivani explores the destructive ideas that can influence young men". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  60. ^ "Jamil Jivani: Ford and Kenney Stoop to GOP-Style Racial Slurs". 2013-07-19. Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  61. ^ "Finding a way: Jagmeet Singh and the importance of positive moral alternatives". The Globe and Mail. 2018-04-06. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  62. ^ Jivani, Jamil (June 2, 2022). "Jamil Jivani: Quebec's Bill 96 hardly at odds with conservative movement".
  63. ^ Davis, Andre & James, Carl. "Jamaica in the Canadian Experience: A Multiculturalizing Presence", Fernwood Publishing Company, 1 January 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  64. ^ WHY YOUNG MEN by Jamil Jivani | Kirkus Reviews.
  65. ^ Jivani, Jamil (January 21, 2021). "Jamil Jivani: Please try to work it out, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian".
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