Opinion
Interdependence Day?
Today, we in the United States of America celebrate Independence Day. What began as a celebration of independence of the American colonies from the British crown as evolved, appropriately enough, into a celebration of American values – “liberty and justice for all.”
The Fourth of July, then, seems like as fitting a time as any to reevaluate. Are we a country that creates the conditions of liberty and justice for all. Is the American democratic experiment working for all. The sad truth is that it is not. In a country that incarcerates more people than any other country in the world and 12.6% of all black males in their late 20s, American democracy is not working for everyone[1]. When only 47% of black males graduate from high school, American democracy is not working for everyone[2]. Why is this?
There are many reasons, to be sure, but one reason is this tricky word, ‘independence.’ For a group of revolutionaries feeling oppressed by the power of the British Empire, independence was the most important value. But 235 years is long enough to grow up, especially when you’re now the most powerful player on the global stage. What is needed, if America will continue to be faithful to her own highest ideals, is a steady transition from independence to interdependence.
Imagine a young who woman who has just turned 20. She still lives at home while attending a local university. Her parents would like to monitor and control her every move as they did when she was 15. But she is an adult now. She needs her independence. So she launches out on her own, gets her own apartment, begins to pay her own bills and develop her own relationships, independent from her parents. Most would say this is perfectly normal and healthy.
Now imagine this same young woman at age 30, still boldly asserting her independence, even though to all appearances she has achieved it. She might struggle to maintain relationships as her friends grow weary of her demanding ways. The struggle for independence that was appropriate 10 years ago now seems like an awkward fit. Those of us looking on might wish that she would grow up.
We live in world desperately in need of leadership. But real leadership will come a society secure enough in its own identity that it needn’t over-insist on its independence. We must move beyond independence, as Americans, to a celebration of interdependence. There is simply too much at stake in our world, from climate change and global economic crises to global epidemics, like AIDS, for countries like the United States to be content with independence. Our own domestic challenges, such as those mentioned above, require a new level of maturity in America. Our own ideals – liberty and justice for all – demand that we grow up and enter a new phase in our national identity. Others need us, yes. But we need others, as well; not simply to advance our own interests, but so that all may achieve a quality of life suitable to our God-given dignity as human beings and the preservation of life on our planet.
As Amartya Sen put it, “Confining our attention to national interest only cannot be the basis of understanding the demands of justice.”[3]
So as we celebrate our independence today, my hope is that Americans from coast to coast might think about the next phase of our societies development. Perhaps in future years on July 4th, we might celebrate not only the greatness of the United States of America, but the way that greatness is facilitating interdependent relationships within our country and across our beautiful planet.
RB
