THE NEXT STEP

By: John Matthew Tuazon

Action, no matter how big or small this may be, is and will always be relevant. It is something we always think about especially when our own personalities have been taken into consideration as well as our personal advocacies. We strive to do all things aligned with our values, morale, and also interests. However, every action has its own limitations. These jarring limitations then are a catalyst of doubt, hindrance, and regret. 

Ricoeur’s elucidation on the Scotius and the Neighbor made it imperative for me to understand the gravity of my action on a deeper level. This has been of importance especially in today’s context where most of us are confined in our own homes, unaware of when we are finally continuing on with our lives normally. I’ve been an avid advocate for zero waste and sustainable living for quite a while now. As a person who adores clothing, I grew an interest in being mindful of my purchases, especially in textiles. This entails me taking into consideration where, and how the piece of clothing was made if it’s a product of a long-perpetuated system of fast fashion, and its overall impact on the environment, pre, during, and post-production. It is no secret that having personal advocacy integrated into your personal lifestyle is difficult to embody and be consistent with, and I was not an exception to this. Because of the sudden halt that the pandemic has set for all of us, I became less mindful of my surroundings and the environment. It is frustrating for me, but on top of that, this lessened my compassion to the advocacy that I felt very drawn towards and strongly about a few months ago. This sudden shift in my perspective is what made me resonate with Ricoeur’s notion on Scotius and Neighbor. That, although we are acting towards our personal advocacies, we should always strive to pursue justice that can make propagating effects to the society at large. This in and of itself is the purpose of being passionate about what we want to achieve. One key takeaway also in this reading is that despite the overwhelming individuality we have, the essence of the community is not just embedded but also manifested in our very own communities. 

Am I that important to make an impact? 

It was never a question of importance in society, but I can never push back the thought of having no influence at all. Especially in this time of magnified isolation, my action tends to be restricted in terms of effects, and so my motivation to work towards it, day by day, falters. However, reading up on this more nuanced notion of participation on a societal level makes me wonder about the gravity of my action. This curiosity then fuels me to act towards my personal advocacy with an end goal to be of good influence to society. Not only that I was able to bring back my methods of being part of those who don't perpetuate fast fashion, but I am also slowly convincing my family to go zero waste. In the smallest actions—limiting take-outs, composting, going organic, etc—I am able to maximize action-oriented advocacies especially in a time where burnouts and faltering motivations are prevalent— this, in itself, a feat on its own.

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