Avatar and American Politics: I See You
76Last night I watched the movie Avatar in 3D, on Imax.
It was the most amazing movie experience of my life, well worth the extra cash.
But much more important than the 500 million dollars worth of special effects was the message.
I am a cynic, and no Hollywood movie is going to be realistic. In real life, there are no magic technologies to save the rainforests. No director will write a hero into our script and save us at the last minute.
Avatar had its flaws, but they were minor.
More important is the relevance to you, and to me.
A central theme of the movie is the importance of seeing "others" clearly. The Na'vi (the blue guys) start out as the enemy, and turn into something else. The tragedy of the movie arises because the humans refuse to see the Na'vi as they really are, and see them instead as savage enemies.
It would be futile and obvious to point out the parallels in history and in our current day.
Avatar is just a movie.
But it is art, and all art has a core of truth.
When you surf the internet, poke around on forums, read other people's blogs, or even watch TV, perhaps you notice something that I have noticed.
It is very easy to separate the world into "us" and "them."
It happens here on hubpages all the time. Have you run across any of these people?
- those crazy conspiracy theorist nutjobs
- Those scam artist "scientists" who are pushing the global warming hoax
- Those commie liberals who want to destroy America
- Those racist conservatives who want to destroy America
- Those radical treehuggers who want to destroy America
- Those fanatical Muslims who want to kill Americans
- Those zealous Christians who think that their god is better than everyone else and want to destroy the rest of the world
A Challenge
The Na'vi say "hello" by saying: "I see you."
This doesn't mean simply "I see you." It means something more, something like, "I see your soul." It is an affirmation of the being of the person who is greeted.
I believe that the internet is a good place to spread ideas, debate politics, and learn.
But I believe that it has cut Americans off from each other.
I see only your words on a screen.
I don't see you. And you don't see me.
So here's a challenge.
Whoever reads this: seek out someone you don't know in person, but who you disagree with politically (or religiously).
Contact that person, and invite them to have a cup of coffee with you, an hour long conversation.
When you meet the person, spend your time listening to them.
That's the most important part: LISTEN TO THEM.
No matter how stupid you think their economic theories are. No matter how irrational they are. No matter how racist they appear. No matter how much they apologize for the atrocities committed by America's enemies, or how much they hate the faith that gives you strength.
Meet them in person, and listen to them. Try to understand where they are coming from, even if you disagree.
There is so much hatred going on in the world, and so much violent rhetoric in America.
Let's change our national conversation from "You lie!" to "I see you."
- Avatar - The PGrundy Review - EYE ON LIFE MAGAZINE
book and movie reviews by Pamela Grundy, Senior Editor; Eye on Life magazine. - Zen Agnostic: Changing the World Through Conversation
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Gotto go see it soon. I think your challenge is a good one although I live my life that way. In the end I may not agree or have different views, but I still give respect where respect is due. Glad you enjoyed the movie and Happy New year.
sounds like you're having a good New Year. Haven't seen "Avatar" yet. I hear it has a "message". In fact a similar message to "Dancing with Wolves". Of course, I heard the technology was just superb.
For my side, I quietly downloaded an old movie "Kung Fu Panda", and watched it on my IPod in bed.
My grandkids love it too.
I think it has some wonderful messages: "Believe in yourself" and "there are no accidents in the Universe."
This hub is not about the movie; it is about the need to listen and open yourself to different opinions and believes.
It is not always easy, but it is essential
Thank you for noticing Petra! I think the movie did a good job of showing the tragedy that can happen when we don't truly open ourselves to others. It is something that I have been thinking about for a while, and something that I am determined to do more and more.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Thanks Ralph - I cannot recommend this movie highly enough. As simple entertainment it is fantastic. As a medium for a powerful message it does a wonderful job as well.
Ehern - You have been a great gentleman to the opposing views on your hubs so I can see that you try to live that way. Happy New Year to you, and I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did.
Kung Fu Panda is a good movie Vraj.
"I see you." What a concept - to see people for who they are rather than who they merely appear to be...or who they have been made out to be by friends, enemies, media, etc.
Anytime you publish a hub it's always worth reading it. This is another one. Obviously you are right, Tolerance should be the word most used and the ability more applied. But there are negatives sides of it: less power, no wars, less money to get, more freedom, less deaths and so on. A population can be the more peaceful and the most democratic on Earth and still sooner or later someone will arrive to kill them for some reasons. I don't know if it's part of human nature to destroy things but I hope this movie, which I haven't seen yet, helps expand tolerance and understanding. You did.
Thank you Avangend. I hope we can all do more of that in the years to come!
Wow hypnodude - what a nice thing to say.
I share your hope that the movie will help us spread tolerance and understanding. The good thing about humans is that we can learn. Sometimes.
It is a deep reflection article you came up with. We tend to hold others responsible for what we define as the Negative. It is worth taking a look at the movie, "Avatar"
Thank you James, for reading and commenting. The movie is definitely worth watching.
Gracious me - what are you doing looking for deeper meanings in a commercially driven movie. Do you not think this is ridiculous?
I haven't seen the movie, but I couldn't agree more. We are always to judgemental. We don't make the time to find out what other people are really about and why. I realize this takes some time but there really are a lot of wonderful people out there that we shun because we don't share their perspective on things. We all need to be more open minded.
Thanks for the post and that reminder.
This is more than a movie review; This is a beautifully written and well-thought out interpretation of the "message" behind the movie. I couldn't agree with you more, William. The conflicts between the "Sky People" and the "Na'vi" have been going on for centuries here on Earth and one only has to peel back a few layers to see that historically, it's always been about resources and wealth. We as Americans, are grossly responsible for the exploitation of too many cultures to list, and it's no wonder why so much of the world hates us. We tend to value wealth over human (or Na'vi) life. A blatent example of this lies in the fact that someone can murder somebody and be out on parole in 10 years, yet someone cheats on their taxes or counterfiets and they could be locked up for 50 or more years... Okay, I'm done with my rant but I did want to say Good Job on this hub. Thanks!
Nick - The message is what you take away from it. Like all art, it is a two way street. The artist produces, the viewer interprets. You are free to interpret how you will.
As for corporate production: many of the "greatest" works of art throughout history have been commissioned by the wealthy for their own purposes. This is how artists make a living. Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Beethoven, all made their art for their rich patrons, and would not have been able to do so without their support.
Thank you Kathy and Delaney!
This was absolutely wonderful- not the movie (I haven’t seen it) but your perspective. I completely agree that human beings do not take the time to truly 'see' one another. I wrote a hub about the way that we believe in God, because of the hostility that many religious discussions bring with it. It is absurd and unrealistic that any one person or group-have been giving the all mighty write and knowledge to judge others and count them out and/or cross them off a list.
If people want to improve the world and society-they need to start with themselves and open up their minds that their way is by no means the only way.
Thanks for this hub-I really enjoyed reading it.
HC Porter
H.C. - I loved your hub about God and belief. Thank you for the wonderful comment!
hello William,
I found your hubs because you joined my fun club.I am glad I did. I agree that we will be better of if we really see people for what they are. But it is not easy for us humans to do this. I think it takes a great deal of awareness and open mindedness. As you illustrated above we find it easier to put people in different boxes and put a label on them. Then we close ourselves off to many things that could help us grow and evolve as humans. Thank you for joining my fun club though I would have appreciated a comment to go with it.
I loved the movie. Just saw it Sunday. Great review, William. I agree about the internet driving people apart. I've been trying to spend less time online. I feel better around live bodies. The weird thing about Avatar is it is the parallel to video games, which of course kind of cut people off from each other too--but I loved the movie. Actually I could talk about it for hours, so good thing no live people are here right now to be subjected to that! :)
LOL Pam - There is a lot to talk about with avatar. I saw a parallel with Second Life - except that SL is not real, while Pandora was real (in the movie anyway lol).
Great to see you commenting and I hope you are doing well.
"NOOOOOoooo! "I" think "you" are a homo, liberal, commy, anti-christ, left-wing, college puke...probably a Jew to boot who thinks he's gonna come in here and pull the wool over Johnny Reb heres eyes and that..."You" got another thing coming "you".."you"..u."
Just Kidding.
On a more serious note. I saw the movie as well Mr. Wilson and I drew several of the same conclusions as you did; not for the first time in my life mind you. It would be nice if people could actually sit down and talk. I once made the mistake of telling someone at work what political party I was a member of. Suffice to say my days at that job thereafter were fraught with shall we say curious happenings. Prejudice in all of it's ugly forms is intended like stereotypes and racism; they are intended to cause divisiveness. As if I a human being like yourself; a complex human being only have one thought. As if you could actually define me with a word. "Liberal", "Conservative", "Black"...etc..as if all that you are...your entire humanity is contained in one word. I would like Mr. Wilson to have those conversations with people. I really would. I've tried though unsuccessfully. It seems that when God is added to anything then reason pretty much flies out the window. Avatar is pretty much "Dances With Wolves" in some other galaxy. Same stuff. Nevertheless powerfully relevant. I would Mr. Wilson love to get along but "they" are not like "us" so "we" must preemptively strike "them" before "they" attack "us." Or not. :). Mostly I think that if Jesus was here we could get a whole lot of things straight. Or not. :).
Thank you Terced! All we can do as individuals is work on ourselves. Hopefully if enough individuals do the work, society can change.
I can't wait to see Avatar in 3D. I watched it last night on TV and I am kicking myself I didnt wait to see the 3D version first.
Ralph Deeds Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago
Thanks. I intend to see Avatar. I saw "Its Complicated" over the holidays. Pretty funny. Streep was great as usual, and Alec Baldwin was quite good. He's under-rated in my opinion. He's good on 30 Rock and was magnificent as the heavy in "Glengarry Glen Ross."