Celebrate Interdependence Day - one world

Today is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States. Some people engaging in “patriotic” activities, while most enjoy a summer day off, perhaps gathering with family and friends to share food and camaraderie.

Pride in one's people is a natural instinct, and perhaps also pride in one's country, but there can be little doubt that patriotism causes grave harm. In the current moment, the elements that we might celebrate about our country – democracy, multi-culturalism, free thought... – are all deeply under threat. The global community faces similarly dire challenges.

And, of course, all these things are related since we are one world – and WE would like to be one global community. Few of the problems we face in our communities or our nation are isolated. Most are directly connected to events and people across the globe. So, if you celebrate tomorrow, we encourage you to honor not just the independence of the United States – our throwing off a monarchy – but also the Interdependence of our Earth home. Unless we act on that reality, there is little hope for a peaceful, just or sustainable future.

But when we recognize the power and beauty of our ties to people far and wide, and the rest of the life on this remarkable planet, then anything is possible. So may it be.