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Banding together helps

This story originally appeared July 18, 2003

EDITORIAL | Thursday, Feb 15 2007 3:38 PM

Last Updated: Thursday, Feb 15 2007 3:38 PM

Tragedies often have a way of bringing out the best in people. When an earthquake, hurricane or tornado rips apart a city, residents who never knew each other band together to rebuild homes and churches -- just like the pioneer days when farmers helped a neighbor build a new barn to replace the one that burned down.

The same spirit exists in Bakersfield. If the community were a person, it would feel like it had been suckerpunched right in the breadbasket. Having a respected, God-fearing, God-loving family of five killed in cold blood in their peaceful, well-cared- for home will do that to members of a community -- especially one like Bakersfield that is struggling to cope with one of the city's most gruesome crimes.

So it was natural that 2,000 people came together in true pioneer fashion to attend services Wednesday in the Bakersfield Convention Center for the slain Harper family.

Many who came to express an outpouring of grief had never met:

* Community activist Earnestine Harper, 70.

* Or her athletically gifted daughter, Joanie Harper, 39, wife of Fremont School Vice Principal Vincent Brothers, focus of the murder investigation as police try to confirm or eliminate him as a suspect.

* Or Marshall Harper, 6 weeks old.

* Or Lyndsey Michelle Harper, 2 years old.

* Or Marques Juwan Harper, 4 years old.

They came to pay their respects because, metaphorically, there is a strong communal feeling that the barn has to be rebuilt. In other words, this family shall always be remembered. Their commendable acts of community service, church service and brotherly love shall always be cherished. They were family. And Bakersfield has become part of their family.

Judging from the uplifting homage many have paid to the Harpers by placing flowers and tender remembrances outside the family home at P and 3rd streets, Bakersfield also has become one neighborhood.

We shall never forget that members of the Harpers' family were vivacious and visionary. Earnestine Harper was always fighting to improve her neighborhood. Bakersfield Councilwoman Irma Carson, a longtime friend of Earnestine, eulogized her at the funeral service as a woman who talked about economic development before the term was even invented.

Pastor Jack Stewart of the Church of Christ East Bakersfield, told the gathering that when Joanie Harper brought her newborn son, Marshall, to church, Joanie talked about her son becoming a minister since the church needs more strong men.

It was appropriate that local television stations telecast the three-hour funeral service so those not in attendance could savor the music and soothing, uplifting and inspirational messages from the many ministers who attended. Two of the ministers, Robert Harper and Eddie Harper, are sons of Earnestine.

They said they were proof of their mother's life work -- raising children in the fear of the Lord. Both gave rousing messages of forgiveness, hope, strength and having faith in "God's plan." Both also delivered lighthearted anecdotes about the deceased that helped lift the somber mood in the Convention Center.

Carson, Mayor Harvey Hall, other city and community leaders and the police have displayed excellent leadership during this ordeal. And the media has been restrained, yet informative.

During the service, Hall read an eloquent resolution decreeing Wednesday as an official day of mourning in the city. The unofficial mourning will last much longer.