Defining Independence on Independence Day

It may be tempting to think independence happens in an instant; one moment we’re dependent and the next we’re independent. It’s tempting but too much evidence suggests otherwise.

Babies crawl and then walk. Eggs, sugar, flour, butter, milk get all beaten together and baked before cookies emerge. Financial security may start with a piggy bank teaching the value of saving money; that habit can later lead to buying a car, paying rent, taking a vacation.

So it is with the July 4th holiday we celebrate here in the United States – Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the American colonies informed the British King that all ties between the two countries were severed. Done? Over? Accomplished? The evidence indicates otherwise. Just one piece of evidence – the War of Independence extended from April 1775 until September 1783 – eight long years of turmoil before the 13 colonies became truly independent of England.

From? For? How?

How then does independence come about? The very words of the Declaration of Independence seem a thoughtful document sent to the King of England providing the rationale for the Colonies declaring their independence from the English government.

The document clearly states the case for this declaration by considering these three questions and responses:

Independence from? Being released from the oppressive religious, political and economic ties with Britain.

Independence for? Basing all decisions on the conviction that “all … are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights among them Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Independence how? “We, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; … and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States have a right to do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

In the Details

It’s now July 4, 2024. We’ve looked at the words of our Declaration of Independence. For me, a Sister of Providence for 60 years with a strong commitment to Love, Mercy and Justice, the authors of the Declaration Of Independence got it 100 percent right on “Independence from” and “Independence for.”

“Independence how.” I’d say the authors got it 50 percent right. The devil is always in the details. If we’re honest, most of us find evidence that our nation hasn’t figured out how to consistently insure that all be released from the oppressive (and often lawful ways) religious, political and economic ties hampering so many from enjoying their ‘unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

On the other hand, many of us find evidence of the countless efforts of justice-minded individuals, private, public and governmental agencies working tirelessly to make real that the ideal of “unalienable rights” will extend to all within our United States.

Sadly, the Declaration reflects the age old answer to conflict resolution – the right “to levy War.” On the other hand, it acknowledges an alternative way to resolve conflicts – “to conclude Peace and contract Alliances.”

‘Commitment to Principles’

The final words of the Declaration of Independence demonstrate the signers unwavering commitment to the principles outlined in the document: “… with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Hopefully, all of us in these United States will continue figuring out in our day how to define and make happen our responses to “independence from … independence for …independence how.”  May we pledge to one another that we will seek authentic independence for all with our lives, our resources and our honest selves.

 Happy Independence Day 2024!