This paper was written for feminist philosophy, and later minimally updated and chosen as a recipient of the Culture of Writing Award through the Writing Intensive Curriculum program

O'Harrow, Josie

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Brilliant InterdependenceThis essay was originally curated in 2021 based on Eli Clare's book, BrilliantImperfection. The essay has been minimally updated to be accurate to this moment in time, butremains largely intact from its inception for feminist philosophy with Dr. Jenkins.When reading Brilliant Imperfection, I was really struck by Clare's discussion ofinterdependence. So much of the dialogue on disability is focused on independence, and evengoes so far as to pathologize dependent relationships. This kind of thinking is assumed asnatural, but Clare details this as a product of white western society. Reflecting on this somemore, I have traced connections between this thinking and capitalism, masculinity, andheteronormativity–all notable elements in white western society. Where have my perspectivesfailed me in this reflection? How has white supremacy and cultural ignorance also promoted thisthinking in our culture? In recognizing the limitation of my own ideations, I will discuss thesethree connections to a rejection of interdependence.Capitalism encourages independence and a maximization of productivity to increase theoutput of the working class. This shows up in a lot of western-capitalist values; someone who isable to provide for themself and not strain social time, effort, or resources in caretaking situationsis socially above someone who will not or can not be self-sufficient. The connection betweenthese values and capitalism becomes more apparent when examining the arguments fromlaissez-faire proponents, or even in discussion with liberal family members: the former do notwant to fund social welfare, and the latter give preference to social welfare that promotes gainingskills and cutting of dependent relationships in exchange for self-sufficiency.Masculinity is tied to a rejection of interdependence as men are expected to be providers,and thus able to take care of themselves or their family. This affects more than just men,Josie O'Harrow 2022however. Because masculinity is valued more than femininity, interdependence is seen as asuperior trait to dependence in a highly gendered way.Heteronormativity, including the expectation of monogamous romantic relationships,reinforces a certain type of independence, namely independence of two partnered individualsfrom the rest of the world. Living with three women last year, all of whom were in heterosexualrelationships, I saw firsthand how heteronormativity can actually act to cut individuals off fromcommunity. Our goal moving in together was to form a support network and live with ourfriends, but instead we became isolated and sought out only our partners for support. There wasno logical reason for this, and we were all good enough friends. The structures ofheteronormativity were so prevalent that they disrupted our plans for community, leaving usindependent within the unit of each relationship, and disrupting an interdependent communitymore in line with what Clare describes. In other situations, platonic relationships are devalued,leading both to less commitment and also to a level of taboo if reaching out for support. Thisforces individuals not in a romantic relationship to intentionally seek out relationships beyondthe heteronormate, or else be left without intimate and close relationships. Finally, polyamory isnot socially accepted, although it offers yet another way to expand support network, due toheteronormative ideals.Essentially, interdependence challenges many of the structures that white western societyis based on. Clare describes the drive to reject dependency:White Western culture goes to extraordinary lengths to deny the vital relationshipsbetween water and stone, plant and animal, human and nonhuman, as well as the utterreliance of human upon human. Within this culture of denial, when those of us who don’tcurrently need help dressing ourselves or going to the bathroom try to imagineJosie O'Harrow 2022interdependence, we fail. In conjuring a world where we need care to get up in themorning and go to bed at night, we picture an overwhelming dependency, a terrifying lossof privacy and dignity. We don’t pause to notice that our fears reflect not the truth but thelimits of our imagination.This is especially poignant as it illustrates that independence is, to some extent, anillusion. Of course there are varying degrees of independence, but those which are prevalent inour society actually require a high degree of dependence. I think about successful men who aremarried to stay-at-home women. They are seen as providers for their ability to earn largeincomes, but would they be able to do this at all if it were not for the women who married them?The profession of your spouse has a tremendous effect on your own success, yet this is notrecognized as dependence. This example in particular shows how concepts of masculinity canshape our notions of independence.Considering how dependence has been produced by the standards of white westernsociety, Clare implores us to reflect on what we think dependency means: a loss of dignity andprivacy. These values are situated within a white western cultural context, and especially dignityis further associated with masculinity. These associations are not questioned, and thus serve toperpetuate the valuation of independence. That said, Clare asks us to imagine interdependence.I did my own imagining of this last year; as I originally wrote this essay, I sought "acloser-knit community to live with". In my words, this included having deep-rooted relationshipswith a multitude of people in my life, and seeking out mutual support. In addition, it involved arecognition that my life is greatly enriched by holding space for other social connectivity andbeing part of a vibrant and larger interdependent community. Since first writing this essay, whenJosie O'Harrow 2022I was in the process of seeking out such an environment, I am pleased to report back that I wasnon-trivially successful in cultivating those connections.While I still struggle to accept support, I do so more readily now. Althoughheteronormativity still weighs heavily on where I draw care from, I continue to push back againstthe narrative that platonic relationships are less valuable and, furthermore, I now prioritize andhold space for my identity as a queer person in my romantic relationship. I, along with myrelationships (which ultimately are also an essential part of me), am still a work in progress. Thatsaid, Brilliant Imperfection continues to be a huge help in defining and guiding me in doing thatwork. In imagining and achieving a future full of love, support, and happiness I have looked toEli Clare's groundbreaking book.In imagining interdependence, I have also identified the ways that concepts ofindependence have been harmful in my life. In many ways, independence has produced mentalillness for me more than anything else; by nature of our society, I have striven to be asindependent, and thus isolated, as possible. This example inspires theoretical consideration.Disability is defined as a level of dependence of others, but this constructs independence asnatural and the ultimate goal. Ultimately, in making independence a requirement for beingnon-disabled, disability is further produced through social construction.Taking into account both the connection between independence and oppression, as wellas independence and the construction of disability that I have considered, I wonder what lives wewould live if we leaned into interdependence? Would this challenge the existing structures ofoppression in our society and allow us to live more enriched, compassionate lives? Would peopleliving with disabilities be connected to communities essential to their happiness and survival,Josie O'Harrow 2022instead of the relentless pursuit of independence that leaves so many individuals worse off? I amgrateful to Clare for encouraging our imaginations of this world.Josie O'Harrow 2022

Brilliant Interdependence

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Brilliant Interdependence

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