thoughts on discourse

The thing about me is that I love to debate. Putting yourself out there and being vulnerable to critics makes you stronger in terms of developing your arguments. I just think that it's essential to be able to analyze systematically the issues confronting us, and not just blab incoherent and inconsistent opinions just for the sake of doing it. Debate and public discussion should be treated in a healthy manner. Having contrasting opinions is a given. How you engage in your opinion is the craft. Public discourse is an arena to challenge, debunk and persuade. And in the process you learn and improve yourself.

However, the thing that hinders an open and healthy discussion is one's ego. One treats a conflicting argument as a personal attack therefore closing all the possibilities for engagement, of improvement. It's hard to establish open communication especially when the person is antagonistic in welcoming criticisms. There is something wrong when one thinks that his or her person is always right. Unfortunately, in that situation you no longer listen, you no longer see, you no longer analyze. You are blinded with your own subjectivity. Therefore you no longer grow. And there you are stranded and stagnant.

Personally for me, it's hard to level down my stand in conversing with other people. Because as much as possible I want to enrich the discussion. I want to open up new horizons that we fail to look at in our every day lives. I'm merely trying to dig deeper and not just settle in the surface.

A colleague told me that such ideas, such ways of discussing is not "pang-masa". So I should stop being philosophical.

 I'm kind of pissed about it for several reasons. 

One, he avoids discussing societal concerns because he thinks that it's not tangible. This is a misconception. Nothing is outside politics. The more you think you're outside of it, the more you're in it. Maybe others are just afraid to engage because they might bruise their ego when they could no longer hold their ground. So the common I-don't-care-trumping-argument comes in. Apathy, what a perfect escape. What a stupid thing to do so.

Second, he assumes my  being philosophical is out of this world. But really I'm not in that zone yet. Plus, it's a fallacy. Philosophy not necessarily discuss things that are transcendent to the material conditions. In fact, it asks questions of reality, the sort of questions that some of us do not dare to ask. For me, being philosophical is being eager. You express your eagerness to ask and to answer. Being philosophical is not being complacent--not complacent to who you are and what you know. You always find a way to get out of your comfort zone, explore and discover. 

Third, he assumes that the "masa" are ignorant. I disagree. They can be the most intelligent people if we just give the opportunity to empower them, to take hold of their lives, to strengthen their capabilities. And one way to do that is to dig deeper questions for them to reflect, assess and analyze answers deeper.

My point is that our society can be a much better place if people would just throw the egoistic mindset that hinders genuine, sincere and open communication. Because that's the power of a conversation, it can change you.

principled vote

The month of April will soon come to an end. And the election day is fast approaching. By this time I'm quite certain on who to vote and on what grounds. 

I'm an avid advocate of an honest and clean election. So far I have not witnessed one. But I still dare to hope that people will take a stand towards a principled leadership. For once we have the power, the power to choose the direction for our nation. Our country have been stripped off, time and again, of its dignity. Do not let the greedy take the chance to redeem what was stolen.

I will not vote for a person carrying just a name. In fact, I have not even heard these names prior to the election period. Well, yes, I've heard their surnames in the traditional-political-dynasty-way. But one could not hope for their realistic participation in the nation's affairs. Where were they when the country is haunted by the decade issue of hunger, unemployment, lack of social services, among others? I have no idea, maybe, hypothetically, they're living the normal course of their well-endowed lives while majority of  the population sunk in the deep quagmire of poverty.

Instead, I will vote for a person with principles. I believe that a principled person will fight the battles of the vulnerable and disadvantaged. That person carries the interest of the poor and marginalized as his personal interest. I will vote for a person who represents the ordinary men and women of this country. For I believe that only those with the heart for the poor can genuinely ache from the struggles of the people. Only those who listens to the people can truly amplify their silenced voices. Only those capable of sacrifice can sincerely serve this country in all selflessness and integrity. Yes, I will vote for a principled person who is brave enough to take on all these battles.

I am not campaigning. I am simply encouraging every one of us to vote smart. Because once again, the future of our nation is in our hands.