As a science fiction buff, I was excited when the film, Avatar, was released. One of the most lasting impacts was the elevation of the phrase, I see you. It was explained that I see you was far more than a seeing a visual representation of someone. It was about seeing one's history, one's struggle, and even one's soul. I see you was about looking beyond the physical, and seeing the unabashed humanity created in the image of God. Recently I had two 'I see you' experiences.
The first was at Heritage Middle School in Wake Forest, North Carolina, on Monday, September 23rd. My daughter, grandson, and I had returned from my 65th birthday trip to Myrtle Beach and I was spending a few more days with them in Knightdale before returning home. The HMS PTA was sponsoring, Sonny Kelly's The Talk, a one man performance chronicling four generations of the men in his family and what 'the talk' means to Black boys and girls. It was more than a dramatic presentation, it was also interactive. At one point Sonny asked each of us to find someone who looked different from us, look them in the eye, and see them. A white man, about my age or older,sitting behind me reached over and tapped me on the shoulder. He extended his hand and I held it for a good minute or two we just stared at each other. There were tears in his eyes and he began mouth I love you, but not in a creepy way. I told him that I could see his pain. After the presentation was over, we chatted a bit and he invited me to worship with him and his wife, who was also present. It was about looking beyond our racial identities and seeing our humanity.
The second experience was, Thursday, October 10th at the Sistah's Keeper Clergy Conference. As our benediction, we were directed to face another sister, join hands, look them in the eye, and repeat a series of statements led by Pastor Kim Ridley, one of the visionaries of the conference. As we looked at each other we looked beyond the physical appearance and maintained our focus on seeing a sister, with her own needs and desires, which were not unlike our own.
It's time for us to 'see' each other. We need to look pass the labels and conditions that divide us and focus on who we really are; human beings created by God and in the image of God. As we go about our daily activities, let's take the time to 'see' each other. We may even realize that 'we' are not that different from 'them.'