“We just showed that a politics of division is no match for a politics of love.”
—James Talarico
I’m not very involved in politics, and I didn’t follow James Talarico’s campaign closely. I don’t know enough about all of his policies to comment on them. But I do care about the way people treat one another. I find it discouraging when political disagreement turns into mudslinging and personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion and stronger ideas.
That’s one reason Talarico’s victory speech stayed with me. I found it unifying and deeply rooted in Biblical themes. He spoke about Jesus not simply as a religious figure, but as a teacher whose message asks people to care for one another and to confront injustice.
Talarico recalled his grandfather teaching him that the two commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. He put their connection simply: “There is no love of God without love of neighbor.” He went on to say that every person bears the image of the sacred and that “every single person is holy.” To me, that is a powerful reminder that our care for others shouldn’t depend on whether they look like us, pray like us, or vote like us.
He also spoke about the hopes people share despite their differences: safe neighborhoods, good jobs, well-funded public schools, and the ability to see a doctor when they need one. Those are everyday concerns that can bring people together, even when they disagree about politics or the best way to address them.
The comparison between David and Goliath was another part of the speech that moved me. David faced a much stronger opponent with fewer resources, yet he had hope, faith, and a slingshot. Talarico connected that story to his own campaign and thanked his supporters with the words, “You were my slingshot.” It was a way of recognizing that people who may feel small or overlooked can still make a difference when they stand together.
I especially loved his call to “always, always bet on the underdog.” I hear that as an invitation to stand with people who deserve a chance but haven’t been given the same opportunities, resources, or platform as others.
May the Barefoot Rabbi’s message of love, justice, and care for our neighbors continue to guide us.