The rough side of the mountain
By Kelvin Kelley/Director of Ministry Hardin-Simmons University
As I walked along the pathway thinking about the day ahead, each step taking me closer to my destination, a person approached headed in the opposite direction. I lifted my head to make eye contact and spoke, but the individual did not respond. I stopped a few steps in front of the individual and spoke again, upon which seeing “me” the individual replied in kind and continued to walk away. This was not the first time in recent years that this refrain has repeated itself. It appears it is becoming more common.
Kelvin Kelley
I make a point to acknowledge other people’s humanity when I am within social space. Earbuds are a common apparatus on our bodies, just as much as clothing. Many times, they are so small and covered that you cannot see that a person is wearing them, but nonetheless when we are in social space, we should engage one another. I shudder to contemplate a society where a person’s humanity is of no value; in other words, not worth recognizing.
Social engagement starts with a simple, “hello.” In his seminal work, “The Invisible Man,” Ralph Ellison accentuates the importance of seeing in social development. In essence, we choose to see or not to see. Human beings can make others invisible. This blind spot, as it is called, is when a person chooses to overlook the obvious: suffering, abuse, neglect, and even violence. Blind spots are simply justified as a lack of diligence and intent upon the part of the suffering person. In essence, “…if they just get a job, they wouldn’t be poor.” Or any number of responses we use that violate the call to action in Matthew 25.
That morning was an opportunity to see and be seen. I could have just kept going but that would allow the individual to continue his practice of “making others invisible.” No, I chose to engage the curriculum of humanity and introduce a new subject in his life, “Humanity 101.” The lesson on this day, “Embracing your own humanity makes others human.” That is a lesson we can all glean from. The advanced curriculum of our culture is self-first, others if we get to it. Continuing up the rough side of the mountain we must overcome social Darwinism. We are more than survival.
Those who live within this Darwinist curriculum are destined to only engage those who are like them. They only “see” that which reflects their own image, no matter how shallow. Therefore, anything or anyone that is different is invisible. But we know that is not true because to “make” someone invisible you must first see them. Therein lies the ruse, “I choose NOT to see what I don’t want to see.” Thus, to “make” someone invisible assumes power over their humanity. Thus, making the “seer” more powerful than God himself. If humanity is made in God’s image, then to make another invisible is to erase the image of God within them. Remember, in Matthew 25 the sheep and the goat said the same thing, “When did we ‘see’ you…?”
In essence, what kind of a society creates curriculum where the humanity of a few is seen, and the majority of others is invisible? What kind of society relishes in intentionally creating inhospitable and marginal experiences for some while accentuating avarice and selfishness as the norm?
This is the challenge we face. This is our social reality. As a community we must learn to grow together, grow deeper, and grow now! We must move with deliberate and intentional steps up the rough side of the mountain. And we do so by putting some things behind us and pressing on to others.
Btw, the young man who passed me that day was brown like me. He had undoubtedly learned to make Black invisible. This behavior was normal for him now. But on this day, he learned a lesson, “Not all Black people will accept this curriculum of invisibility. Some will see this as a teachable moment.” Lesson learned.
