Culture has long espoused the concept of the “rugged individual” and portrayed dependency as weak. This is fundamentally flawed because we are by nature dependent.

Humans are biologically wired for connection for survival of the species and for the individual to thrive. The organism of civilization is rooted in and reliant upon dependency. Every single thing in our lives (goods and services, healthcare and infrastructure, etc) is dependent upon people around the world.

This is a major factor in what makes anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, racism, sexism, and xenophobia so utterly absurd and hypocritical – those who hold these ignorant and hateful views don’t or won’t see that every facet of their lives is dependent upon all people of all backgrounds. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, completely and totally self-sufficient with absolutely no outside contact, you are dependent upon everyone – including the very people that are dehumanized in prejudice.

Autonomy in our personal lives is of course important, but we can’t diminish or deny our dependency on others; belonging and bonding with other human beings. We all need each other.