Be an Advocate
When I think of being an advocate for another, I remember these words by Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor during the time of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany.
“First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and no one was left to speak for me.”
This was his post-war confession about the cowardice of German intellectuals and many clergies. By his admission, he was silent to Hitler’s rise to power in the beginning. He became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. In 1937 he was arrested and eventually confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. He was released in 1945 by the Allies.
We need advocates for peace and unity. We need people to be champions for those who are not in the majority or those on the fringe of society.
Being a white Christian male in a country where Christianity is the dominant religion and white men are in most positions of power, I have many doors open to me that women, people of color or other faiths don’t have or at least I don’t have as much resistance as they do. As a Christian, I am called to emulate Jesus’ words, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)
We are called to be an advocate for others. It carries a lot more weight when someone in a position of power or the majority speaks up for another.
During one of our city’s Farmer’s markets, a woman in Hajib was taking pictures of the different food stands, and the people at the booth I was standing beside started getting upset because they had never seen a woman in Hajib. “What is that woman wearing? Is she covering something up? Is she a terrorist? Someone should call the police. Maybe she is taking pictures to plant a bomb.” I couldn’t believe how worked up these people had gotten. I quickly said, “This woman is not a terrorist; she is probably a Muslim woman wearing a Hajib. It is the custom for many Muslim women to wear a covering over their heads when they are out in public.” Everyone got quiet, and the booth owner expressed appreciation for explaining why she had this covering on her head. The funny thing was, when I grew up, I saw many Amish and Mennonite women wearing a bonnet or a prayer hat when they were out in public, but no one ever got upset about their coverings.
Being an advocate doesn’t mean a person always has to have a bullhorn and march in a parade. As Janna Cachola states, “No voice is too soft when that voice speaks for others.”
Anyone can be an advocate for another. When a person within the sphere of influence calls the community to include those who have been outcast, it has a significant impact.
If Jewish person cries out about the anti-Semitism they experience, some will hear them. Still, if a Christian calls our community to this injustice, it doesn’t sound like someone is playing the victim role, and people might hear the message easier from someone like them.
Men of color advocate for women of color, and young adults, call for justice for the elderly and people who are healthy and advocate for people with addictions or the mentally ill.
No one may speak up for us if we do not speak for another.
As we move into the latter years of our lives, many people feel like they have lost their purpose for living because they physically can’t do what they used to do. They need to be reminded that they still have one of the most important gifts to share: to be a champion for others. There is nothing as powerful as listening to your son/daughter, grandchild, or younger person as they are angsting over a situation they are dealing with — you, who have gone through many challenges, can reassure them that they will get through this time. You affirm and remind them how special and talented they are, and you know they will succeed. Giving a blessing is a powerful way of being an advocate for another.
As Nelson Mandela states, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, background, or religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Let us teach ways of love and respect for each other.
Reflect on these scriptures from different faith sources
“Meet together, speak together, let your minds be of one accord, as the Gods of old, being of one mind, accepted their share of the sacrifice. May your counsel be common, your assembly common, common the mind, and the thoughts of these united. A common purpose do I lay before you, and worship with your common oblation. Let your aims be common, and your hearts of one accord and all of you be of one mind, so you may live well together.” (Rig Veda 10.191.2-4, Hinduism)
“The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.” (Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhism)
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” (Psalm 133, Judaism)
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26, Christianity)
“Hold fast, all together, to God’s rope, and be not divided among yourselves. Remember with gratitude God’s favor on you, for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love so that by His grace you became brethren. You were on the brink of the fiery Pit, and He saved you from it. Thus, God makes His signs clear to you, that you may be guided. Let there arise out of you one community, inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: those will be prosperous. Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving clear signs: for them is a dreadful penalty” (Quran 3.103-5, Islam)
“With the same clay, the Master Potter fashioned each being in His Image. Then, turned around the same Divine Light in each. Pray tell me, then who is holy and who is not worthy.”
(Guru Granth Sahib, Raag Aasaa 8: 3, Sikhism)
“He has appointed us servants of the human world, advocates of peace and unity among the religions. Heralds of universal agreement among the races and nations, founders of divine reconciliation among all peoples.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace P. 694, Baha’i)
Questions for Reflection
- Is there one of the scriptures that connects with you?
- Can you think of a person who advocated for you? What did that feel like?
- Is there someone who needs you to be a champion for them?
A Call to Action or Today
Try to give a word of encouragement to someone who needs an advocate for their life.
A Closing Prayer by JR Sandadi
My full name is Jitender Reddy (JR) Sandadi. I was born and bought in Hyderabad, India. I came to the USA to pursue higher education and settled in the Indianapolis area in 1995. Happily married with two high school children and a Carmel, Indiana resident since 2000. Volunteering with Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh since 2013 and my current responsibility is IN/KY Chapter Secretary, In addition to HSS, I volunteer with School on Wheels as well as Family Promise organizations locally.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS, USA) is a Social, cultural, voluntary and non-profit organization for teaching Hindu values and principles. Organizing the Hindu community to preserve, practice, promote, and protect Hindu dharma is the HSS central Mission. HSS, through its weekly programs, facilitates children to appreciate, learn and practice the Hindu way of life while having fun, instill pride and confidence about their identity. Develop social awareness and leadership skills and serve societal interests.
Transliteration:
oṃ saha nāvavatu। saha nau bhunaktu। saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai।
tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai। oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ॥
English translation:
Om, may we all be protected, may we all be nourished,
may we work together with great energy,
may our intellect be sharpened (may our study be effective),
let there be no animosity amongst us.
Om, peace (in me), peace (in nature), peace (in divine forces).