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Interdependence Day
On July 4th, we celebrate the birth of our nation. This was the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, announcing the separation of thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain.
Independence is one thing, and it’s important. But interdependence is another, and we’ve lost sight of it.
We decided, as a nation, to take care of ourselves, do things our way. This is great. It didn’t come easy either. Blood, heartache and suffering were spent so we could be independent from Great Britain. That said, other people, other countries, other ideologies exist, and — 4th of July or not — they are inextricably woven into our own lives. We tend to forget this.
Check out this poignant irony: “Ninety-nine percent of the backyard consumer fireworks come directly from China,” says Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. “And about 70 percent of the professional display fireworks are manufactured in China.”
Think about it. Our celebrations of ‘independence’ are almost completely dependent on products made in a country very antithetical to our values.
