In 1999, the National Catholic Reporter held a competition which sought to update the image of Christ for the new Millennium. The competition drew nearly 1700 entries from around the world. Judge, Sister Wendy Beckett, an art expert, author, and television personality, selected Janet McKenzie’s “Jesus of the People.” In the words of Sister Wendy, “This is a haunting image of a peasant Jesus – dark, thick-lipped, looking out on us with ineffable dignity, with sadness but with confidence. Over his white robe he draws the darkness of our lack of love, holding it to himself, prepared to transform all sorrows if we will let him.”
Ms. McKenzie’s position as winner has been life-altering as well as humbling. Her goal was to create a work of art in keeping with her beliefs as a person, an artist, and inclusive of groups previously uncelebrated in his image especially African Americans and women. She hoped “Jesus of the People” might remind us that we all are created in God’s likeness. The worldwide welcoming celebration of this interpretation of Jesus and the gratitude expressed to her – as well as the onslaught of negative responses – affirm her belief that this work, this particular vision of Jesus, was meant to exist now.
McKenzie describes her work thus; “Jesus of the People simply came through me, I feel as though I am only a vehicle for his existence. Jesus stands holding his robes, one hand near his heart and looks at us – and to us. He is flanked by three symbols. The yin-yang symbol represents perfect harmony, the halo conveys Jesus’ holiness, and the feather symbolizes transcendent knowledge. The feather also refers to the Native American and the Great Spirit. The feminine aspect is served by the fact that although Jesus was designed as a man with a masculine presence, the model was a woman. The essence of the work is simply that Jesus is all of us.” - Janet McKenzie.
The story broke more than 10 years ago and yet, I have not seen it anywhere else other than in the hallway of my home. It is a thunderous reminder that we are not who we were! It also reminds me of a 1941 song written by Billie Holiday and Arther Herzog, Jr.., "God Bless the Child." We are not our parents or our parent's parents. We are the children of the new millennium. We have our own way of knowing, our own way of learning, our own way of being, our own way of believing and worshiping God - if we choose to. Gone is the uncomfortable, and at times confining "hand-me-down" religion that has for far too long held a "free" people captive by the invisible chains of religious dogma. Gone is the cliche', "The bible said it and I believe it." Gone is the idea that one group of people holds the patent to the imago dei. And finally, gone is the white, blond haired, blue eyed Jesus!
McKenzie describes her work thus; “Jesus of the People simply came through me, I feel as though I am only a vehicle for his existence. Jesus stands holding his robes, one hand near his heart and looks at us – and to us. He is flanked by three symbols. The yin-yang symbol represents perfect harmony, the halo conveys Jesus’ holiness, and the feather symbolizes transcendent knowledge. The feather also refers to the Native American and the Great Spirit. The feminine aspect is served by the fact that although Jesus was designed as a man with a masculine presence, the model was a woman. The essence of the work is simply that Jesus is all of us.” - Janet McKenzie.
The story broke more than 10 years ago and yet, I have not seen it anywhere else other than in the hallway of my home. It is a thunderous reminder that we are not who we were! It also reminds me of a 1941 song written by Billie Holiday and Arther Herzog, Jr.., "God Bless the Child." We are not our parents or our parent's parents. We are the children of the new millennium. We have our own way of knowing, our own way of learning, our own way of being, our own way of believing and worshiping God - if we choose to. Gone is the uncomfortable, and at times confining "hand-me-down" religion that has for far too long held a "free" people captive by the invisible chains of religious dogma. Gone is the cliche', "The bible said it and I believe it." Gone is the idea that one group of people holds the patent to the imago dei. And finally, gone is the white, blond haired, blue eyed Jesus!
"i found god in myself,
and i loved her,
i loved her fiercely."
Ntozake Shange
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
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