Fonny's Mother
Fonny's mother and father come over to Tish's family's home where Tish will tell them that she and Fonny are expecting a baby. Fonny's Mom lashes out at Tish saying that they are living in sin. She is a symbol of the abuse of religion which tells people that we are separate, when in fact we are called to connect through love.
Victoria's Cross
We see Sharon attempt to touch Victoria's cross while in Puerto Rico to convince the young woman to recant of her false accusation of rape by Fonny. The cross is a symbol of connected beliefs between Victoria and Sharon, or so Sharon believes. As soon as Sharon touches the cross around the girl's neck, she recoils. And we see that she's be violated in a way that has changed her forever.
Into the Camera
Many characters throughout the film look directly into the camera. This is a symbol of vulnerability to the audience. That they are not wearing a mask in these moments.
Sunshine
We watch as Daniel and Fonny reunite for the first time in years on Lenox Ave. Behind Daniel is the brilliance of the sun's light pouring around him. It is a symbol that Daniel, a man who's seen things of nightmares in prison, is a man of light.
Church
Upon seeing Daniel on Lenox Street, Fonny hugs his old friend, and from a low-angle shot we see a church behind Fonny. This structure is a symbol of Fonny's endurance for a higher cause - that cause being love. He is a man that will endure persecution for a significant time to come and still be standing.
