Dear Sir,

The following is my response to an opinion piece from Khalid Wasi on January 26.

Khalid’s insights are interesting, but I took a different lesson. I learnt how important it is to be willing to stand up for what you believe in, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

I ran in Constituency 21 because I believed we need to do more to stop the gang violence that is corrupting and killing our young people. I lost fair and square, but it afforded me the position to be where I am today, working hard to enact change and save lives.

You don’t have to be an independent candidate to be an independent thinker. I’ve stood up for what I believe in at the Cabinet table. Leadership requires being authentic in your beliefs and unafraid to have the difficult conversations. That’s how hope triumphs over cynicism.

JEFF BARON

Editor’s note: this letter was originally penned and submitted on January 30.