Rep Cárdenas: SNL Is Fanning the Flames of Hatred

[Commentary] Donald Trump has been chosen to host NBC’s Saturday Night Live, one of the most venerable homes for pop culture on television. The same company is now promoting a man on NBC who has deeply insulted far too many American people. After all, we know that not all comedy invoking race, gender or religion is offensive. Humor can show the absurdity of prejudice. It can poke fun at the trappings and difficulty of cultural integration. At its most basic, humor can expose differences that also help show how all people are valuable to society as a whole. Unfortunately, Trump’s disgusting remarks are none of these. They have not been made in jest. SNL, by inviting Trump to host, fans the flames of hatred. The producers have failed to say, “Stop.” Is it through ignorance or simply a desire for ratings?

Diversity drives this country. The unique nature of our society has always enriched our national dialogue, transformed our culture and made our country a better place. Humor to encourage that growth has always been treasured. If we celebrate those who use vile attacks to separate us, who try to make “different” mean “lesser,” we lose the heart of this nation. We must commit, as a nation, to not giving people like Donald Trump a role in defining our culture. Doing so will make us great again

[Rep Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) represents California's 29th District in the US House of Representatives]