A Declaration of Interdependence
Reimagining patriotism by pledging allegiance to the Earth—and all who call it home.
The revolution we need now isn’t about freedom from, but reconnection to.
Not Independence—but Interdependence.
It’s time for a Declaration of Interdependence.
As we celebrate July 4th, I find myself reflecting on what freedom truly means and what it truly means to love one’s country.
Love, at its core, is inclusive. So, how can we overlook the land itself and all of us who call this place home?
I recently rediscovered a passage I had saved from Robin Wall Kimmerer, in which she reimagines patriotism in her essay “Allegiance to Gratitude” from her book Braiding Sweetgrass.
In it, she offers the idea of a “Pledge of Interdependence”, a vision of belonging and responsibility rooted not in politics but in gratitude for the living world.
Her vision inspires this piece, one I feel deeply called to share.
“As I grew to understand the gifts of the earth, I couldn’t understand how ‘love of country’ could omit recognition of the actual country itself. The only promise it requires is to a flag. What of the promises to each other and to the land?”
~ Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants (Chapter: Allegiance to Gratitude)
What if we viewed the natural world as part of a democracy of species? What if we made a pledge to interdependence?
On July 4th in the United States, we pledge allegiance to the flag. But what if, instead, we pledged something greater?
What if we made promises, not just to a symbol, but to one another, and to the land that sustains us all?
Imagine teaching our children to see themselves as part of a living community, where “winds, waters, animals, and plants are kin, not commodities.”
What if Independence Day became a day to celebrate our interdependence—to stand, not just for freedom, but for connection, responsibility, and shared belonging?
There’s no need for political loyalty declarations when the Earth's gifts move the heart.
When we shift our allegiance to the natural world, to relationships that transcend borders and economies, we begin to have the kind of freedom that includes all of life.
That is the kind of independence worth celebrating today.
So this July 4th, I invite you to pause…
As we celebrate this day, I encourage you to pause and reflect. What does interdependence mean to you? How can you celebrate the freedom that includes the Earth and all beings? What does that look like to you?
To me, it looks like a combination of love and genuine patriotism. The kind our forefathers imagined.
Stay Grounded. Stay Inspired. Shine Your Light✨
Happy 4th!
Note:
These reflections are inspired by and include quotes from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s powerful essay “Allegiance to Gratitude” in Braiding Sweetgrass.
Her call to honor the Earth with a pledge of interdependence, not just political allegiance, offers a healing and timely vision. If her words are new to you, I highly recommend her work.
You can find Braiding Sweetgrass on Amazon or wherever books are sold. (I am not an affiliate and do not receive compensation for recommending this book. It’s just worth a read!)
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Again, your writing is very inspiring. Good job 🩷