Time for my annual Declaration of Interdependence.
That whole independence thing is an illusion.
These days of a pandemic, with no end in sight;
These days of reckoning of our nation’s past;
These days of mask wearing – or not;
These days of marching;
These days of the much necessary toppling of renditions of fellow humans that should never have never held that space from the get go;
For some during this time, relearning to use your very own hands to fix something, make something, and create something;
Declare our Interdependence.
We gotta understand there isn’t one person on earth who is independent.
We all count on people to pave roads,
make sure the traffic lights are working,
grow our food,
transport our food,
take care of our elders,
make our frickin’ toilet paper,
stock those shelves,
drive that bus,
newspapers and electronic content to keep you informed of current events,
all should really help us understand there really isn’t one independent person on this earth.
We gotta put those guns down in our gated communities, make a sign, and get marching.
We gotta explore our fears and our unwillingness walk in another’s shoes.
We gotta vote cuz what is happening right now is clearly not working.
I think of this Sara Rahbar’s work (below) . I admire her courage. Working and reworking the symbol of our nation, hoping against all odds, that we live up to our documents and ideals.
Declare our Interdependence.
Thank a critical worker.
Wear that mask and deal with the summer sweat. It is the least any thinking human being can do.
Consider Reparations. It is the least this nation can do.
Pictured: Sara Rahbar Flag #2 You Broke me in, de-thorned