I see you. I hear you. You matter.
My trip to Holden Village had been on the books for nearly a year but I didn’t give much thought as to what I would do when I got there. I brought along my hiking gear knowing that would always be an option. I brought an e-reader loaded with books in case I had down time but I didn’t think I would (and I really didn’t). I knew there would be time for bible study and session work but I wasn’t sure if any of it would interest me when the time came.
Every summer season, Holden Village brings in speakers from around the world to lecture or workshop on a variety of topics. Each season is different giving guests a unique experience every time they sojourn to the village. I didn’t look at who would be presenting while I was there and figured I’d go wherever the spirit called me.
Joe Davis and David Scherer led a series of workshops exploring race and faith in our church and in our world. Most of their workshops conflicted with the village choir practice so I didn’t get to attend all of their presentations. It was Wednesday before I had a break from choir and could sit in on what they came to talk about.
They started with Sawubona, a Zulu greeting which translates to “I see you”, a far more meaningful greeting than a simple “hello”. Sawubona says “I see who you are personally, your humanity, dignity, and respect”. I’d never heard of it before but I quickly recognized the power of understanding behind it.
Whenever anyone finished speaking at one of their workshops, those in attendance would collectively respond, “We see you. We hear you. You matter.” It was a way of acknowledging the individual’s contribution to the discussion even if what they said was uncomfortable or caused dissention.
It’s easy to do something like this in a faith setting in a remote village in the mountains. Places like Holden draw a certain type of person; one generally open to new ideas and ways of connecting to “other” people.
I began to wonder what it would be like if Sawubona was used in government. What if after every member in the house or senate spoke, the group collectively responded with “we see you, we hear, you, you matter”? What if when every candidate finished speaking at a debate, the other candidates responded with “We see you, we hear you, you matter”? Think of what kind of example that would set to those watching. Would they stop and listen? Would they consider the words of their advisories? Or would Sawubona morph into a platitude spoken with no intention of understanding?
While I don’t serve in government (nor do I have any desire to do so), I can apply Sawubona in my own life. There are times when I make remarks on social media that others don’t agree with. I have often been attacked personally for my views and opinions and yes even facts I’ve presented. Since my trek to Holden Village, I have been trying even harder to temper my responses and consider Sawubona. This person attacking me matters, the sum of their life experiences has led them to a place of disagreement with me but that doesn’t negate either one of us. I matter, they matter, we all matter.
But what happens when Sawubona isn’t reciprocated? I’m not gonna lie, that’s the part I struggle with. It’s frustrating to no end when I extend understanding but don’t receive it in return. I can’t control what someone else says, does, or even believes. Yet if I want something better, something more, I have to be the example. I have to model the change I want to see in others.
I encourage all of you reading this to consider Sawubona as you go about your daily lives. Perhaps finding common ground in these adversarial times starts with a simple acknowledgement of the other: I see you. I hear you. You matter!
End Transmission.