By Rev. Amari Magdalena
Beyond sparklers, rockets and explosions in the July 4th
sky, just what IS independence? To be
independent is our desire to be free from outside control; not depending on
another’s authority. July 4, 1776, White
America declared independence from the taxing tyranny of the British Empire.
Yet, as we today know, that statement did not provide independence for captive or
reservation contained people of color. As
America was colonized and populations spread westward, the cry of independence
overlooked lands seized from original occupants. Yet the cry of freedom rang at every flag
rising.
Where does that leave us today? I’ve been cogitating on that very
question. Independence today seems to
mean, leave me alone so I can do whatever I want. Want to stockpile assault weapons? No problem.
Simply drag out the distorted version of the promises of the 2nd
Amendment. Want to play loud music with your windows down, oblivious to noise
disturbance? No problem, few noise abatements
signage to prevent it. Keep your neighbor,
that you share thin apartments walls with, up all night as you enjoy all-night
TV? Take a judge to evict you. Ignore the growing poverty? Turn up your subwoofer’s
and deep shade your windows as you cruise in your Porsche or Mercedes Benz. Untold ways to tune out anything but ourselves
and our desires.
In the midst of our hard one independence, it seems, more
and more people are depressed and feeling alone and isolated. Countless articles are addressing this
isolation. We’ve mastered being islands unto
ourselves at the expense of the collective or collaborative. We eschew belonging; yet bite off the
extended hand of inclusion. No wonder we
are collectively becoming more mentally unbalanced.
What we’ve lost in independence is the concept of Interdependence. Tribes knew of the importance of valuing every
individual. As people were treated well
and honored, they enjoyed the benefits of the tribe and clans. Yes, no doubt survival was at the root of
this brand of socializing. Yet, today,
even more our survival as a planet depends on our thinking beyond our own
individual selves. The greater good is
calling us to re-embrace interdependence, planet wide.
Another aspect of independence is not understanding what it
means on an individual level. It means
we must take full responsibility for all our outcomes. No blame, no shame, no deflection, no
scapegoats. Hah! Didn’t see that one coming,
did you? No priests or politicians to
wholesale give our power to. No Momma or
Papa to keep saying are the excuses for the way we are. Having to be absolutely involved in our own
survival. All costs we shoulder. Maybe not such a hot deal after all?
The point of this little Independence Day tome is that it is
past time to return to interdependence. Our future holds multi-family living
over individual dwellings. Economics and
mental health demand that we create tribes.
Is it going to be easy or comfortable?
Probably not initially. We love
our space! I love my space! A necessity to conserve energy, water, land, food
supplies, economic alterations, Yes.
In a political year that again the discussion of Democratic
Socialism raises hackles of resistance, we cannot afford to keep denying that
some form of “you are your brother’s keeper” is in the future. People
were awed when Andrew Yang mentioned a country wide living wage. Robots are more and more performing human
tasks. Robust employment will not be a
future in their presence.
How do we find now a comfortable balance between
independence and interdependence? Learn
to ask for help. Open your door and walk
out among people. Engage people wherever
you go. Talk to them about the future of
the planet and their vision for a global future. Join something! Learn excellent communication skills that you
can bring to groups to deal with conflict.
Keep a global perspective along with local concerns. Become a citizen of the world and care about
the people and the planet. Take responsibility for your outcomes. Make tough decisions. Keep faith in the
ability of humanity to recognize our planetary interdependence and take steps
for preservation of the Earth. Give your
egos a Golden Parachute, the gold watch, and a lovely early retirement!
As the sky fills with fireworks tomorrow evening, let the
sparkles shower your consciousness with “What can I do” to make this a
better place for you and me. Love more,
hate less. Say hello in there to fellow travelers on this life journey.
“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen
awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part
of one another, and all involved in one another.” Thomas Merton
“I have an interesting perspective on depending on
others. I think it gives people a chance
to serve. And I’m not so much big on independence, as I am on interdependence. I’m not talking about co-dependency; I’m
talking about giving people the opportunity to be practicing love with its
sleeves rolled up.” Joni Eareckson
Tada
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