“Come November, the American people will have the chance to re-declare their independence.”
— Donald Trump
Today, the word independence is thick in the warm summer air. Everywhere across the United States we will gather, grill and gawk at the fireworks as a representation of our country’s freedom 240 years ago.
A lot has changed in the years since our infant nation rebelled, so rather than simply re-declaring, maybe it’s time we reframe our ideas about independence.
This freedom from others sure sounds good, but is it all that it’s cracked up to be? Yes, my perspectives are largely informed by my upbringing in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). I do believe that there is “that of God” in each of us and that it is this spirit that connects us all to one another. I also honor the value of independence in our personal lives and in our freedom to make choices, have faith in what we believe, and – as long as it does not harm another – act as we see fit.
This independence, however, does not excuse us from our responsibility as human beings and global citizens. As many people in Britain are realizing, it’s foolish to believe that we can go at things alone and naïve to think that “exiting” from relationship with one another enhances our experience. I would argue that it is this growing disconnection among people that contributes to our economic and personal insecurity. If we must declare independence from something, perhaps it should be from the hate, fear and xenophobia that seek to drive a wedge between individuals, cultures and nations.
Maybe what we need is an “Interdependence Day,” an opportunity to turn our attention to the ways we can work together to support that which others value without surrendering our own ideals. This world needs more connection, not isolation. We need to rely on each other mutually and instill these principles in our children.
In recent days we have heard a lot about “Brexit” and the parallels to making “America great again.” We can argue about what constitutes “great,” but fear, isolation and withdrawal from one another seem to be unlikely remedies for an already fractured world.
I am not suggesting that individuals and nations develop a codependency where we rely on each other in unhealthy and destructive ways. We can, however, acknowledge that our planet is well served if we bet on our mutual best interest.
Rather than pull away and head for the exit, let us intentionally engage in our commonalities and our differences. The truth is that we as a human race are inseparable, so instead of attempting futile independence, why not ask ourselves what difference we can make in each other’s lives.
This day of interdependence would be cause for true celebration when we demonstrate to each other in our words and deeds, “I honor the greatness in you.”
(Brennan Barnard lives in Hopkinton.)