We Can Have a Say in This Story

“Who is staring at the sea is already sailing a little.”
– Paul Carvel

Along with the concept of responsibility, in a society that is circumscribed to the criteria of the mainstream media, we have to consider the concept of freedom, without which the concept of responsibility wouldn’t make sense. Subordinating thought to what’s regarded as safe, subject to intellectual routines, would hinder our individual abilities to reconsider multiple views before assuming, freely and responsibly, our own. Thus, having us to accept things uncritically, we are becoming conditioned to what others think and say.

Ever-changing social and historical situations determine how facts are perceived. We need to assign ourselves the task of looking for diverse perspectives to discuss through research, speech and writing, helping to reveal moments of irrationality in our society on any one-sided prevailing social conditions. When free queries arise within each of us is when we can talk about being free and responsible.

All of us can aid the cultural renewal and transformation of our society through critical inquiry. Those who reflect on all sides of the issues of life that pertain to every one of us, challenge and raise questions about them, are in the position to seek creative outlets and a fair stance. Being unaware, careless and silent are ways to perpetuate an alienated, unjust and selfish social order (quite an oxymoron).

We ought to devote time to partake on talking about issues inside and outside our personal interests and viewpoints; being open to molding and transforming our research methods and resisting submissive and conformist postures. This is what promotes engagement.

Reflective and coherent thinking requires courage, taking risks and thorough commitment. Intellectual passivity, on the other hand, is restrictive, limiting and disengaging. The more we invite and stimulate creative and critical thinking, the more we communicate, the more we can have a say in this story. “Each day has a story that deserves to be told, because we are made of stories. I mean, scientists say that human beings are made of atoms, but a little bird told me that we are also made of stories. (Eduardo Galeano)”