Interdependence

INTERDEPENDENCE

Independence has been, and still is, a fundamental value that has grown from the ideal of liberating the colonies to our own personal world view. Our parents instill in us the value of independence –which according to the American Heritage Dictionary –means one is 1) not subject to authority or control; 2) not depending on another person for one's opinion or livelihood; 3) Not belonging to or supported by a party; or under the better of circumstances 4) making it unnecessary to earn one's living. Every aspect of our way of life supports this paradigm. The ideal is to have our own home, our own yards, our own cars, our own church, our own neighborhoods, our own traditions, our own way of life. Indeed, often times our sense of independence is manifested as individualism, the love of being an independent individual- not beholden to anyone or thing—free to make her or his mind and destiny. This construct makes dependence it’s terrifying enemy. Dependence --often associated with weakness or frailty—as with children, elders or the ailing--is disdained if you are not in one or more of these categories. When taken to an extreme, all else, including family and community, takes second place to the desire to achieve absolute individual independence. Most, however, attempt to balance their desire for independence with family and their immediate community.

Advancements in communication and transportation technologies, economic globalization and diminishing natural resources have all but erased the boundaries previously held firm by mountains, deserts or sea. As we witness population displacement in both eastern and western hemispheres, interconnectivity of manufacturing and delivery of services; and unimaginable social connectivity, The scope and meaning of the term community has broadened beyond our neighborhoods, states, and countries creating world-wide interaction and increasing common concerns. The younger generations are growing up in this new world and reaching out across the globe as never before seen or experienced. And this can be good and bad. Deciding how to proceed in this new construct must include the realization that our decision –to act or not—will certainly impact many beyond our current definition of community. Jiddu Krishnamurti warned “ Action has meaning only in relationship, and without understanding relationship, action on any level will only breed conflict. The understanding of relationship is infinitely more important than the search for any plan of action”. And Dr. Martin Luther King visualized this concept clearly when he said: “ As long as there is poverty in the world I can ever be rich—even if I have a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions cannot expect to live more than 28-30 years, I can never be totally healthy. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way the world is made. No individual or nation can stand out boasting of being independent. We are interdependent.”

Indeed, Interdependence is our environmental, socio-economic, political and technological reality.. In addition, the increasing ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of communities presents the challenge of considering these new relationships with respect and furthering true common interests. And, as Pope Francis stated recently: “ Interdependence obliges us to think of one world with a common plan…. We want change in our lives, in our neighborhoods, in our everyday reality. We want a change that can affect the entire world, since global interdependence calls for global answers to local problems. The globalization of hope, a hope which springs up from peoples and takes root among the poor, must replace the globalization of exclusion and indifference!”

I As we look to transform our communities, locally, regionally, nationally and world-wide, we recognize that institutions of higher learning share this intra and interconnectivity as they relate to both: their internal and external communities. Information is power and institutions of higher learning can impact relationships with reflection, discovery, action and deed. Sondra Myers has brought together a distinguished panel to discuss Higher Education and the Culture of Interdependence.

Reflection:

I am part of the sun as my eye is part of me. That I am part of the earth my feet know perfectly, and my blood is part of the sea. There is not any part of me that is alone and absolute except my mind, and we shall find that the mind has no existence by itself, it is only the glitter of the sun on the surfaces of the water.

D. H. Lawrence, author, journalist, poet, playwright

Speech delivered for Interdependence Day Celebration 2015 by

Ida L. Castro, JD, MA
Vice President Government and Community Relations

Chief Diversity Officer
The Commonwealth Medical College
525 Pine Street
Scranton, PA 18509
www.tcmc.edu
[e-mail]
570-504-9647