Authenticity: Does it Matter?

Hayden Hollingsworth
Hayden Hollingsworth

Words are important but it is equally important that we understand their meaning. Our old friend, Merriam-Webster, has this to say about authenticity: Worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact.

Few places in the public sector is it more difficult to assess the presence or absence of authenticity than in the political arena. Untold amounts of time are devoted to weaving the fabric of acceptance for a candidate. The number of attributes that are important is lengthy and those who aspire to public office are adept at accentuating every possible trait that makes success more likely. That is understandable but sometimes verifiable truth gets lost in the fray.

I have never understood where the phrase “reality show” originated. In the interest of full disclosure, I have never watched one from beginning to end, but the “reality” part has escaped me. They seemed to be highly staged and orchestrated for entertainment, not for the portrayal of reality. Given the number and duration such shows the formula seems to work.

The current political circus to which we have been exposed for the last year seems to have been constructed from a reality show combining with soap opera, tabloid media, and egos that have run amuck. It has been difficult to parse out meaningful data in the midst of it all.

Who would have thought that bluster, bullying, name-calling, sexual innuendo, and adolescent arrogance would carry the day? If the office in question was a middle school student body president, the principal would have yanked the candidate off the stage in 30 seconds. When adults behave in a similar way, they are simply dismissed as jerks. When the office is the most powerful one on the planet it seems no holds are barred.

As disturbing as all this is, even more amazing is the resonant note that it has struck with millions of citizens. So deep is the frustration and anger it brings to mind the old movie, “Network,” where the anchor man goes berserk and was screaming out the window, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” What he was so agitated about was lost in the furor of what he was saying.

When issues are decided on the basis of emotions it is vital that the authenticity of the presenter is validated. If not, then rationality will lose the day; the tide of public opinion may become so strong that the unintended consequences may be catastrophic.

While many may be swayed by his swagger and the huckster who is leading the charge seems absolutely certain of everything he says, he miserably fails the authenticity test. Any idea which issues from his mouth is elevated to the level of fact, no documentation needed, thank you very much. Authenticity is absent, let alone common civility.

Such behavior is never admirable in any situation but in the world’s most powerful leader it is insanity. Let’s hope (and pray) that the population, black or white, young or old, Hispanic or ethnic minority, straight or gay, male or female will realize America is on the cusp of a cataclysm the likes of which has not been seen since the rise of the Third Reich in 1933.

How authentic were the promises they made?

Hayden Hollingsworth

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