Interdependence

Tomorrow as a country we celebrate Independence Day, in commemoration of the ratifying of the Declaration of Independence to establish the United States of America on July 4, 1776.  Our country was founded on the concept of independence, which has taken on various expressions throughout its history.  An emphasis on individualism remains a significant part of American culture.  

At the Seed we work diligently to help our students use their voices and develop language to advocate for themselves and others.  Our curriculum is set up to foster independence through developing self-help skills, doing classroom jobs, and managing classroom materials.  Seed staff are trained to tell children when they notice benevolent things they’re doing, rather than praising them with comments  like “good job.”  This encourages children to develop their own sense of self and not rely on adult praise for motivation.  Our intention is that every child develops a strong sense of who they are during their time at the Seed.

That said, I’d like to consider another thread that’s also been prevalent throughout American history, interdependence.  Interdependence is defined as “the state of being dependent upon one another : mutual dependence.” From the beginning, our country has been dependent on the wisdom of native populations and the hard work and ingenuity of enslaved humans brought to America from Africa.  Early American farming was heavily influenced by Africans who not only shared their farming techniques, but actually brought viable seeds to plant in American soil.  Some seeds were braided into women’s hair and transported secretly across the ocean.  The National Museum of African American History and Culture highlights the many contributions made by African Americans in the past several centuries.  

The growth of the United States of American has been dependent on immigrants as workers in factories, construction, and service industries.  Scholars, teachers, writers, artists, medical providers, and scientists from all over the planet have been crucial in the development of our country.  We’ve all needed each other to be the nation we’ve become.

In addition to guiding children to strengthen their individual sense of self, at Awakening Seed we also promote being a good community member.  We offer instruction through modeling and direct training on how to be someone others can depend on consistently.  As we approach the celebration of our country’s birth, now more than ever before, it seems like a time when we need to remember and appreciate our interdependence.  It’s a moment in our country’s and planet’s evolution when we all must strive to be the kind of human others can always depend on.