BY GILLIAN PETRARCA ’23
Jean-Piere on Nov. 11 in Gamble Auditorium to discuss her new book “Moving Forward.” The event was run in partnership with the Odyssey Bookshop and was open to students, faculty and the general public.
“This book is a call to action. I want to inspire and motivate people to get involved in politics. My book is not only about my life, but it is a blueprint for how to get into politics, which is very necessary in our political climate,” Jean-Pierre said.
Jean-Pierre then went on to explain who she dedicated her book to. “Moving On” is dedicated “to all of those who have heard the word ‘no,’” she said. Jean-Pierre explained this was not what she originally planned as the dedication for her book. In the original plan, the book would be dedicated to all the women in Jean-Pierre’s life.
“I decided not to go with that dedication though, because I realized the book was bigger than that. I wanted a dedication that would motivate people, one that would even change people’s lives,” Jean-Pierre said. “I wanted people to see that even though I’m on TV, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I wanted to inspire people through this dedication.”
Following the explanation of the book’s dedication, Jean-Pierre chose to read the third chapter of her book, titled “Haiti,” about going to a country that her mother wanted to keep her from.
“Although this is chapter three in my book, it’s the chapter I chose to write first,” Jean-Pierre said. “I think it was the story I most wanted to tell.”
“While writing the book, I was able to interview my mother. It was almost therapeutic for me. I had never heard most of the stories she told me before writing the book. Through interviewing her and writing this book I was able to understand my mother more, I now know why she is the way she is,” Jean-Pierre said.
The floor was then opened for questions from the audience. One audience member asked, “You are so well spoken on TV. How do we help our younger generation find a voice?”
Jean-Pierre explained that she was very shy as a child and grew up in an environment where she was taught to put her head down and stay silent if an adult was speaking. She has had to build up confidence in order to connect with her audience on TV.
“I think about this question a lot now, especially because I have a five-year-old daughter. I don’t ever want to dull her flame. I think it’s also important that we teach and mentor our youth so they can have open dialogue in conversations,” Jean-Pierre said.
Janae Lewis ’20 asked, “Can you tell me about your undergraduate years? When did you realize you wanted to go into politics?”
Jean-Pierre explained that she did not realize she wanted to go into politics during her undergraduate years. She was a pre-med Biology major in college and her parents wanted her to be a doctor.
“I was mad though, because I never got the normal college experience because I studied all of the time,” Jean-Pierre said. In grad school I lived away from my parents and studied abroad in Haiti, it was there I realized I wanted to change people’s lives.”
“Her answer to my question was really reaffirming, since I’m a senior,” Lewis said. “It was enlightening to know she didn’t realize her purpose until later.”
After answering questions, Jean-Pierre welcomed audience members to a book signing.
“I haven’t read the book, but after attending the event I think I will,” said Denise Aninakwah ’20 said. “I really like how [the book] focuses on her Haitian background and just how open Jean-Pierre seems to be.”