SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Your Brother’s Keeper

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Your Brother’s Keeper

Commentary by Lori Rivas

Lori Rivas | Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016

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Golden Rule. Service to others. Humility and thankfulness. These basic tenets form the basis for any moral ideology.

And decent people of all political stripes hold to caring for others.

If you have ever been on the receiving end of a charitable act, you know how it feels: the immense gratitude; the thankfulness that someone has seen and recognized your need; the extreme sensitivity to do right by the gift that you have been given.

To be kept by your fellow human is a buoy in a time of immense grief, or need, or disability. To be seen is a transformative embrace. However, to remain invisible and isolate – or, worse yet, to be ridiculed or condemned – is a punch in the gut of humanity.

Now imagine, if you must, what it is to be part of the downtrodden, part of the hurting and the rejected, and have a popular political figure ridicule your hurt, radicalize hatred for your culture or religion, marginalize the very thing that creates your struggle.

Also imagine your local leaders remaining silent in the face of such hatred and ugliness, choosing instead to retain popular favor, in deference to the political machine.

Is that “loving your neighbor?” Is this who we want to become?

What does it mean to be your brother’s keeper?

I can tell you what it doesn’t mean. Being your brother’s keeper does not mean instigating crowd violence. It does not mean ridiculing the disabled. It does not mean hate-mongering, or inciting fear, or discriminating against a race or religion. It does not mean degrading women. It does not mean worshipping profit and calling it “sacrifice.” It does not mean attacking a grieving mother, nor equating refugees with Skittles, nor threatening to kill the innocent children of terrorists.

In fact, being your brother’s keeper means denouncing him who propagates such vile and selfish hatred.

Keeping public silence on hateful attacks for personal or political gain is the same as supporting and perpetuating said hate.

I truly believe that I am my brother’s keeper. Therefore, I will not vote for Trump, nor will I vote for the local party incumbent who fails to distance himself from the ugly hate oozing from his party’s presidential nominee.

My vote for 25th congressional candidate goes to Bryan Caforio, a man who has rejected the hate of the day, who sees the needs of our diverse district, and who has publicly stated that he is his brother’s keeper.

Be your brown brother’s keeper. Be your elderly sister’s keeper. Join me and vote Caforio for U.S. Congress.

Lori Rivas is a Newhall resident.

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6 Comments

Bill Reynolds says:

Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016 at

This had the makings of a very nice opinion piece, but boom! Suddenly it veered off into an odd political left wing spiral. “Be your brown brothers keeper”. Why not just leave it at, be your brothers keeper? After all, America’s citizenry are as diverse as any on this planet.

After 8 years of our current Administration, America’s racial divide has widened immensely. So much so, that we desperately need another MLK to regain the positive ground gained since the 1950’s.

Reply
Sally White says:

Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016 at

Beautifully stated, Lori! Indeed, we MUST look after each other, and speak up when we see injustice and cruelty. There are SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES to do that in our world today. Thank you for reminding us!
Sally White

Reply
millie bonazzoli says:

Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016 at

Many of us like Trump’s basic ideas but the man himself is sexist, ego centered. If he insulted Rosie O’Donnel he would insult Angela Merkel, so last year I knew I could not vote for that type of man as president. The 1950’s were good only for white men, women and minorities didn’t get real rights until 1970. I do not want to go back, because at 71 I know those were not the good old days. We need employment. But we need people to be willing to retrain. A vengeance to keep your old job won’t work in the 21st century. Youth now expect to have 2-3 careers, but “the good ole boys” aren’t being realistic with the voters.

Reply
Stacy says:

Thursday, Oct 6, 2016 at

Thank for the reminder Lori!

Reply
Lori Rivas says:

Monday, Oct 10, 2016 at

UPDATE:

On Saturday, 10/8/16, Congressman Steve Knight issued this statement:

In my career as a law enforcement professional I was confronted with and worked tirelessly to end the horrific reality of violence toward women. After hearing Donald Trump’s inexcusable comments last night I was deeply disturbed & reminded of that reprehensible behavior. While I’ve never before endorsed a Presidential candidate, I’ve felt compelled to strongly condemn many of Mr. Trump’s previous outrageous remarks. And after serious consideration, I have decided that I cannot support either candidate for President. I will continue to focus on serving the people of the 25th Congressional District and fighting for our priorities here and in Washington DC.

Reply
Pat says:

Saturday, Oct 15, 2016 at

Glad to hear this response from Steve Knight. While I don’t agree with all his views on abortion, I do favor someone who has lived in this district all his life, as opposed to someone who moved in at the last minute, just to fill a party-supported position. I was with you, Lori, until your thoughtful essay turned into a push piece for Caforio! I fail to see how that’s related.

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