why should we express our opinions?
- By Vital Germaine
- Published 02/12/2008
Vital Germaine
Vital is a multifaceted individual who was born of biracial parents in the former Belgian Congo during a horrific civil war. He was raised in London before moving to Belgium during his late teens where he was introduced to the world of entertainment. Vital soon moved to New York to further his entertainment career. After two years in the Big Apple, he auditioned for Cirque Du Soleil. He performed for over 5 years in Cirque’s productions of Mystère and Quidam. A tragic injury forced him to prematurely end his acrobatic career. He has since become a published artist, a business owner, and an author with his first book on the verge of publication. For more on Vital log onto artofvital.com
why should we express our opinions
Opinions are crucial to the development and maintenance of society, and everybody ought to have one! Why? Because, an opinion is what defines our character as human beings. It is a testament to the fundamental identity of any one person. I would even go as far as claiming that a person’s opinion is the psychological equivalent of their DNA. But that’s my opinion – an opinion I am fearless to share.
Furthermore, I have opinions about almost everything and anything ranging from the seemingly mundane, such as the credibility of banal hearsay and paparazzi speculation, to the more politically and morally charged issues of: abortion, the war in Iraq, stem-cell research, Dr. Kevorkian’s assisted suicides, global warming, the death penalty, legalizing marihuana (or not), religion, or, whether one should build a tunnel or a bridge – and not necessarily in that order. There is in fact no rhyme or reason as to when and why I am inspired to form and opinion, and why I express it with a passion that at times flips and dances from one seemingly unconnected subject matter to the next without choreography or hesitation.
When forming an opinion, I genuinely attempt to keep an open mind and a sense of humour, and make a point of taking alternative perspectives into consideration. I do, however, endeavour to avoid controversy (not always successfully) but do, nonetheless, encourage provocation or stimulation in the hope of achieving an opinionated response that can justify or challenge my own. As a result of the exchange, I will hopefully have become enriched as a person and more sympathetic and understanding to opposition.
Furthermore, when hearing and reacting to a person’s opinion, it is probably wise for me to categorically take their cultural background, religious inclination, race, age, gender, social status, date, time and political conviction into account. Even though humans are born with instincts and inbred personality traits that are the backbone of their identity, their persona will be influenced and manipulated by social responsibilities, secular obligations, parental guidance, peer pressure and the conformities of education resulting in a fashioned opinion. In growing up, we lose touch with our true self. We become corrupted mutations who are taught to suppress their instinctual characteristics in order to fit the mould. I strive to not lose that sense of innocence, but in contrast, do not recommend nor attempt to promote anarchy and chaos - but freedom of identity and the articulation there of is a must!
Examples of my meandering opinions are as follows: I am totally against the death penalty. I am against all wars, in particular the war in Iraq; nonetheless, I don’t condemn the warriors who risk their lives to honour their country (on either side). I think marihuana should be legal, even if I don’t, and have never in fact smoked it - I believe it to be no more detrimental to the human psyche than alcohol is. Society might actually get along better if it were legal. Besides, we’d probably delay going to war until tomorrow if we all had some “chronic” in our system. Paris Hilton has no talent. The French aren’t that arrogant. More importantly, there is nothing wrong with singing about suicide or rapping as regards to killing law enforcement officers. It’s just a song or rap, reflecting personal experience and burdened lifestyle “me nizzle”. Read between the lines and then take cover, my brother.
When it comes to religion, I am a non-believing Catholic who rebels against the corruption and manipulation of the Catholic churches’ power, and any other church for that matter. In addition, I lend a very sympathetic ear to those who controversially express their anti-religious views. For instance, what was so wrong with tearing up a picture of the Pope on national television - unless you were Sinead O’Conner that is. I believe she was disgusted by the recently deceased Pope John Paul’s refusal to address and punish paedophilia in the Catholic Church; an issue that would become headline news years later… amen!
Simultaneously, what’s so bad about pornography? It personally doesn’t attract me and I find it nasty, degrading, flavourless, insipid, and unbecoming, but those who like
or enjoy it, then please, be my guest and satisfy your erotic inclinations. To each his own! What is wrong with violence on TV and in movies? We should/could perhaps spend more quality time with our kids and help them understand what society is presenting through freedom of speech and the media. Hell, I grew up watching violence on the “box” and played cops and robbers with pistols and I have no desire or inclination to run riot as a result. In my opinion, it all comes down to individual choice.
Meanwhile, and whilst still close to the subject of pornography, art, religion, politics and other morality related issues, allow me this rhetorical question; what’s so wrong with the president (Bill Clinton) getting a blowjob in the Oval Office? Shit, if I were the leader of the free world I sure as hell would take advantage of some of the perks. Should his wife object, then fine, she can then go and complain and personally impeach him. As far as I’m concerned, executive fellatio from a fat ugly intern has nothing to do with me if I’m not on the receiving end. Another questioning morality dilemma, regards portraying Jesus with a prostitute. It is perhaps odious even blasphemous, but not erroneous. Every gang leader does after all have a “ho” as a distraction, so why not the Messiah? It’s delicate, highly contentious, but not grounds upon which to outlaw or vilify art or a movie for example. The fact of the matter is, linking Jesus to sins of the flesh is nothing more than an expression of an extreme and profound opinion.
What happened to freedom of speech? In a society that has become too politically correct, opinions have become diluted to almost non-statements. By the way, who the fuck came up with Politically Correct? Why not tell it like it is - your kid sucks at football and doesn’t deserve a medal, let alone a trophy!
Lastly, where’s the problem in bearing your breasts on national television? Viagra commercials can be aired on TV but not breasts? Please!
“Mom, what’s Viagra?”
“Well honey, it’s a pill that Daddy takes so he can react to Janet Jackson’s boobs, and then take it out on Mommy for up to four hours.”
Conversely, before venting my opinion, I clearly categorise between that which I like or dislike and why I do or don’t, to that which is viable, suitable, immoral, obtrusive, inappropriate, repellent, tactless, rude, insensitive, vulgar or uncouth. An opinion should not be a rash blurb of emotional expression, but rather, a processed collective of reason and thought within a conversation, or any other form of communiqué. In a society such as ours, where freedom of speech and the right to choose is an apparent given civil liberty, I just can’t refrain from expressing my opinion. As a result of my insatiable urge to articulate, I have founded several careers based on my need to express. The stage, including 5 years with Cirque Du Soleil, and the world of art as a published artist have been my platforms from which to vent and convey my opinions. Given the expression is perhaps abstract and indirect, but it remains an expression all the same. Those opinions reflect my personal philosophy. Opinions are in fact the building blocks of our belief systems and thought processes, which in turn, are the root or foundation of philosophy; I believe we are all philosophers in our own right.
18th century German philosopher, Johann Gottlieb Fichte states that: what sort of philosophy one chooses depends on what sort of person one is. Exactly! We are all different people with different philosophies and all we need do is agree to disagree.
If one can agree that an opinion is indeed the backbone, or the simplest form of philosophy, then Fichte’s quote stands to reason. We do after all choose our friends and enemies based on their opinions, and those opinions were fundamentally constructed on the basis of their cultural, religious and social backgrounds. I know for sure that my opinion is based on my innate characteristics as an individual, and the multicultural nomadic experiences of having lived on: three separate continents and speaking three different languages and being born of a biracial marriage. I also acknowledge that all opinions are right! That’s what makes them so beautiful and so essential. However, an opinion all on its own bears little or no merit if it is not expressed. If the thought is not communicated, then it becomes a meaningless session of intellectual masturbation without an orgasm, and in my opinion, masturbation is not good for the soul. More importantly, red M&M’s are cuter than the green ones… but that’s just my opinion.
Opinions are crucial to the development and maintenance of society, and everybody ought to have one! Why? Because, an opinion is what defines our character as human beings. It is a testament to the fundamental identity of any one person. I would even go as far as claiming that a person’s opinion is the psychological equivalent of their DNA. But that’s my opinion – an opinion I am fearless to share.
Furthermore, I have opinions about almost everything and anything ranging from the seemingly mundane, such as the credibility of banal hearsay and paparazzi speculation, to the more politically and morally charged issues of: abortion, the war in Iraq, stem-cell research, Dr. Kevorkian’s assisted suicides, global warming, the death penalty, legalizing marihuana (or not), religion, or, whether one should build a tunnel or a bridge – and not necessarily in that order. There is in fact no rhyme or reason as to when and why I am inspired to form and opinion, and why I express it with a passion that at times flips and dances from one seemingly unconnected subject matter to the next without choreography or hesitation.
When forming an opinion, I genuinely attempt to keep an open mind and a sense of humour, and make a point of taking alternative perspectives into consideration. I do, however, endeavour to avoid controversy (not always successfully) but do, nonetheless, encourage provocation or stimulation in the hope of achieving an opinionated response that can justify or challenge my own. As a result of the exchange, I will hopefully have become enriched as a person and more sympathetic and understanding to opposition.
Furthermore, when hearing and reacting to a person’s opinion, it is probably wise for me to categorically take their cultural background, religious inclination, race, age, gender, social status, date, time and political conviction into account. Even though humans are born with instincts and inbred personality traits that are the backbone of their identity, their persona will be influenced and manipulated by social responsibilities, secular obligations, parental guidance, peer pressure and the conformities of education resulting in a fashioned opinion. In growing up, we lose touch with our true self. We become corrupted mutations who are taught to suppress their instinctual characteristics in order to fit the mould. I strive to not lose that sense of innocence, but in contrast, do not recommend nor attempt to promote anarchy and chaos - but freedom of identity and the articulation there of is a must!
Examples of my meandering opinions are as follows: I am totally against the death penalty. I am against all wars, in particular the war in Iraq; nonetheless, I don’t condemn the warriors who risk their lives to honour their country (on either side). I think marihuana should be legal, even if I don’t, and have never in fact smoked it - I believe it to be no more detrimental to the human psyche than alcohol is. Society might actually get along better if it were legal. Besides, we’d probably delay going to war until tomorrow if we all had some “chronic” in our system. Paris Hilton has no talent. The French aren’t that arrogant. More importantly, there is nothing wrong with singing about suicide or rapping as regards to killing law enforcement officers. It’s just a song or rap, reflecting personal experience and burdened lifestyle “me nizzle”. Read between the lines and then take cover, my brother.
When it comes to religion, I am a non-believing Catholic who rebels against the corruption and manipulation of the Catholic churches’ power, and any other church for that matter. In addition, I lend a very sympathetic ear to those who controversially express their anti-religious views. For instance, what was so wrong with tearing up a picture of the Pope on national television - unless you were Sinead O’Conner that is. I believe she was disgusted by the recently deceased Pope John Paul’s refusal to address and punish paedophilia in the Catholic Church; an issue that would become headline news years later… amen!
Simultaneously, what’s so bad about pornography? It personally doesn’t attract me and I find it nasty, degrading, flavourless, insipid, and unbecoming, but those who like
Meanwhile, and whilst still close to the subject of pornography, art, religion, politics and other morality related issues, allow me this rhetorical question; what’s so wrong with the president (Bill Clinton) getting a blowjob in the Oval Office? Shit, if I were the leader of the free world I sure as hell would take advantage of some of the perks. Should his wife object, then fine, she can then go and complain and personally impeach him. As far as I’m concerned, executive fellatio from a fat ugly intern has nothing to do with me if I’m not on the receiving end. Another questioning morality dilemma, regards portraying Jesus with a prostitute. It is perhaps odious even blasphemous, but not erroneous. Every gang leader does after all have a “ho” as a distraction, so why not the Messiah? It’s delicate, highly contentious, but not grounds upon which to outlaw or vilify art or a movie for example. The fact of the matter is, linking Jesus to sins of the flesh is nothing more than an expression of an extreme and profound opinion.
What happened to freedom of speech? In a society that has become too politically correct, opinions have become diluted to almost non-statements. By the way, who the fuck came up with Politically Correct? Why not tell it like it is - your kid sucks at football and doesn’t deserve a medal, let alone a trophy!
Lastly, where’s the problem in bearing your breasts on national television? Viagra commercials can be aired on TV but not breasts? Please!
“Mom, what’s Viagra?”
“Well honey, it’s a pill that Daddy takes so he can react to Janet Jackson’s boobs, and then take it out on Mommy for up to four hours.”
Conversely, before venting my opinion, I clearly categorise between that which I like or dislike and why I do or don’t, to that which is viable, suitable, immoral, obtrusive, inappropriate, repellent, tactless, rude, insensitive, vulgar or uncouth. An opinion should not be a rash blurb of emotional expression, but rather, a processed collective of reason and thought within a conversation, or any other form of communiqué. In a society such as ours, where freedom of speech and the right to choose is an apparent given civil liberty, I just can’t refrain from expressing my opinion. As a result of my insatiable urge to articulate, I have founded several careers based on my need to express. The stage, including 5 years with Cirque Du Soleil, and the world of art as a published artist have been my platforms from which to vent and convey my opinions. Given the expression is perhaps abstract and indirect, but it remains an expression all the same. Those opinions reflect my personal philosophy. Opinions are in fact the building blocks of our belief systems and thought processes, which in turn, are the root or foundation of philosophy; I believe we are all philosophers in our own right.
18th century German philosopher, Johann Gottlieb Fichte states that: what sort of philosophy one chooses depends on what sort of person one is. Exactly! We are all different people with different philosophies and all we need do is agree to disagree.
If one can agree that an opinion is indeed the backbone, or the simplest form of philosophy, then Fichte’s quote stands to reason. We do after all choose our friends and enemies based on their opinions, and those opinions were fundamentally constructed on the basis of their cultural, religious and social backgrounds. I know for sure that my opinion is based on my innate characteristics as an individual, and the multicultural nomadic experiences of having lived on: three separate continents and speaking three different languages and being born of a biracial marriage. I also acknowledge that all opinions are right! That’s what makes them so beautiful and so essential. However, an opinion all on its own bears little or no merit if it is not expressed. If the thought is not communicated, then it becomes a meaningless session of intellectual masturbation without an orgasm, and in my opinion, masturbation is not good for the soul. More importantly, red M&M’s are cuter than the green ones… but that’s just my opinion.
