For years I’ve flown a blue flag with a picture of planet
Earth rather than the flag of the United States.
What if everyone was first a citizen of the Earth and each other,
and secondarily a citizen of a particular nation?
Despite mottos that we’re all one in our diversity, nationalism
actually conflates our differences as we wonder if those whose lives aren’t
mirrors of our own are truly part of the nation.
If, however, I become curious about difference, I realize
those divergences of belief, attitude, cultural practice, language, food
choice, etc. are sites of expansion, exploration, and possibility.
If Earth were our guide to difference, we would celebrate the
astonishing diversity that allows every single entity to flourish at a
granular level. That’s the kind of individualism we talk about supporting when
we tout our freedom, but don’t actually enact very often because of the
crushing conformity of a cultural story to assimilate and fit in to
belong.
What does it mean to belong to Earth first? Prioritizing
what makes this earthly home sing, not ache. Taking actions based on the answer
to the question—does this wound or heal the planet? Protecting remaining wildness and beauty. Taking time to be in the natural world and receive its gifts.
To belong to each other means I’m as safe and successful
as the least secure human. Utter poverty may not seem to impact my daily life,
but if affects my soul.
What decisions, purchases, and choices honor the artisan,
worker, farmer, and laborer who actually made this product? What decisions lift
them into sane living with clean water, shelter, enough food, education and opportunities
to create and which ones keep them scrambling?
Living under an Earth flag means growing up. Looking beyond
my own tastes, desires and comfort and acknowledging that I have a contribution
to make and a responsibility to keep my eyes open when I see challenging
circumstances and to do hard things.
Belonging to the Earth and to each other could transform the
little interpersonal difficulties that dot my days by providing a larger, and
far more urgent, context in which to work, live, and interact.
Belonging to Earth and everyone could seem overwhelming, but
it’s actually what feeds us, gives fresh oxygen to our psyches, and keeps the
lifeforce moving.
Today, on the eve of a national holiday of independence, I
choose the Earth and you, which can only nourish this struggling democracy.
