Why Care? Part 2: I Am My Brother's Keeper, Clarified

After writing, editing, discussing at length with someone I love and trust, and re-revising my previous blog post, I recognize that it still needs some clarification. Here is a brief update on my ever-evolving thoughts on the subject. But, again, please recognize that I'm still working through what I'm trying to say here, and I welcome your contribution.

 I do recognize my finite reach as an individual. I maintain that being my brother's keeper means a responsibility toward all people. However, I by no means intend to say that we are each personally responsible for solving every problem in our world, or even that we are responsible for actively engaging in solving every problem. That's humanly impossible, and I accept that (painful as that dose of reality and humility is for me to swallow). However, I mean to say that excuses like "it's not my problem," "it doesn't affect me," or "there's nothing I can do, so why care?" are not valid. As our brothers' keepers, we have a responsibility, first and foremost, to care. Sincerely caring will lead to action. What form that action takes is entirely up to each individual and will depend on what issues he or she feels most strongly about. My purpose with this blog is to inform myself and others concerning some of the issues I care about and how we can act on them in keeping with the truth "I am my brother's keeper."

I got the feedback that what I said in my previous post was cliche and nothing new, that all I really said was that we need to serve and care about others, and we all know that already. And maybe that's partly true. Here's why I wrote it anyway:

1. I cannot go on with what I'm trying to say in this blog without first establishing that fundamental truth. There is no point in a call to action on behalf of others without a solid reason to respond to that call. In my mind at least, that solid reason is that we have an inherent responsibility as well as the power to do so. If that doesn't make sense or you see logical holes in that conclusion, PLEASE stop me and I'll work on that!
2. Yes, we all know we need to serve and care about others. We've heard the phrase "I am my brother's keeper." However, my intention is not just to give the phrase another cameo appearance, but to make it a starring role in our lives. I want to emphasize that this is our true identity. It's not "I should be my brother's keeper," "I act as my brother's keeper occasionally" or anything of the sort. I AM my brother's keeper. If we truly understand ourselves in this way, our world will change.
3. Even if you've heard it before, I think it bears repeating and remembering. Why? Because we can look around the world and see by people's actions that we don't really believe it yet. And I include myself in that indictment. We all need to be frequently reminded and re-convinced that (1) our responsibilities extend beyond fulfilling our own desires and (2) we actually CAN effect change in the world! If you are able to continually keep these two principles in mind and not let your faith in them waiver (keeping in mind that the true test of faith is the action it produces), I honor you. The rest of us lesser mortals need periodic reminders to keep us on track.

Again, I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and critiques. As always, thanks for reading.

Why Care? Part 1: I Am My Brother's Keeper

I've run into an unfortunate truth: keeping up a regular blog about such an intense topic is harder than I thought. Researching these issues and reporting my findings takes time, and that's hard to come by as a working college student. Finding the follow-through to devote my limited time to writing quality posts takes dedication and passion. So, for my own inspiration as much as yours, I'm going to hold off on my promised post about ethical animal products and focus this post on a more central question: Why should we care?

For me, it goes back to a basic truth that I firmly believe. It may sound simple, but I see it as an earth-shattering declaration. If we all really believed this and acted on it, I don't think any of us could imagine the extent of the changes it would cause in our world. Ready? Here it is: "I am my brother's keeper."

I'm sure that's not a new phrase for most of you. But think of the power in that statement!

I [as an individual, not just as part of some collective]  
am [inherently in my identity]  
my brother's keeper [responsible for AND capable of protecting and improving the well-being of others].

That last phrase is jam-packed with meaning. I'm sure each person reading this has a different definition of what that means for their life, and we could discuss it for hours. (And I'm totally up for doing so if you like! Or you could comment on this post. As always, I want to hear your thoughts.) For now, though, I'll try to give my own read on it and keep my comments short. But please understand, these thoughts are still, and may always be, a work in progress.

I believe that we are all children of God. That makes us - all of us - divine. But even if you don't share that religious belief, I'm sure you can agree that all human souls have inherent worth. If not, you may be reading the wrong blog. From that assumption of universal brotherhood and value, I'm going to conclude that "my brother" includes all people. Because we are all brothers and sisters, or, alternatively, because we are all of equal inherent value, there is no person that I can consciously put outside this definition. I can't justify picking and choosing, effectively saying "Well, this person matters, but I don't have to care about that one." Therefore, when I say "I am my brother's keeper," I believe that my responsibility as such extends to ALL people.  Not just my family and friends. Not just my fellow Americans. Not just [insert your favorite demographic here]. ALL people that fall under the reach of my influence.

Which brings me to the next point: asserting that I am my brother's keeper means recognizing that I have the power to benefit and uplift others. Obviously my reach of influence does not include everyone, and I definitely cannot solve all the problems of those I can reach, but I can improve the lives of my brothers and sisters, and I can help create a better world for all of us. And as globalization penetrates more of the earth every day, the number of people affected by our individual choices is growing by leaps and bounds. Your power and ability to bless -or hinder- are far beyond what you imagine.

We live in a world where people try to deny their inherent responsibility towards others with pansy questions like "Am I my brother's keeper?" and "Who is my neighbor?", aimed at evading responsibility. While individuals may know about issues like world hunger, illiteracy, disease, and human rights violations, many feel these things do not concern them. Even those who care can feel powerless to do anything about such colossal problems. In such a world, "I am my brother's keeper" is an incredible statement of faith. It proclaims personal responsibility and power. It is the foundational principle of a better world.

So, why care? Because our world is messed up. Because our brothers and sisters are suffering, partly due to systems that we participate in. Because we have the power and responsibility to change that. Because we are our brothers' keepers.

Stay tuned for why food choices are a crucial part of fulfilling that role.