Archetypes in America 2016
If you are living in America today, whether you are a citizen or not (which is my case) you are experiencing one of the most exciting, interesting, dark, scary and revelatory times in American politics, culture, technology and development.
Now, before dismissing me as a yet another politically fired up millennial or before your curiosity to read this article turns to skepticism, please allow me to shed light on who I am, so that you may be able to gain a little perspective towards where I am coming from.
I came to United States for my undergraduate studies and started out as an economics major at Indiana State. After having worked in Florida for about 2–3 years I am back in Indiana and am half way through my MBA where I am focussing in information systems and eCommerce. I am the Director of the Student Marketing Company and teaching undergrads as part of my Graduate Assistantship.
I consider myself a self confident, aware and highly empathetic resident of this nation that I chose to move to, leaving all my family behind, back in 2009 at the age of 19.
Now at almost 26, I have paid taxes here for almost 8 years, I paid over 50K in tuition after scholarships. Having worked in 2 different states and a work visa disaster, I feel a strong sense of responsibility and an urge to talk about this amazing fragile time this country seems to be going through. But still from the perspective of an outsider.
Given the candidates that got mainstream attention or the ones that eventually claimed it, various archetypes have emerged through the political media landscape so far today.
Together they represent the collective consciousness of this nation that everyone from around the world wants to migrate to:
Hillary Clinton:
The Claire Underwood of American politics. Powerful, bold, ambitious but also selfish and vicious (as some of you maybe thinking I might miss.) Her rise to popularity aligns with the archetype that represents the voices that are trending these days. Such as those of woman empowerment, as we hear them rising from all corners of America today, from Girls who code all the way to leaning in together. But, her not being able to make peace with her demons and be transparent with her own people has also made her loose credibility immensely.
She represents an America that seems to be empowering but can actually end up crushing your dreams instead.
Bernie Sanders:
The old, crazy haired wise man of America wanting to talk about sharing the pie. His rise to popularity aligns with the archetype that represents the mentality of the millennials in today’s mobile, social media driven sharing economy, millennials who have racked up college debts they will never be able to pay back but continue to survive, thrive and innovate by simply leveraging their networks and following their passions.
Bernie has managed to show effectiveness in a broken system through minimal resources and the power of unity in community that has left the nation ‘Feeling the Bern’.
He represents hope for America that embraces a sharing economy through minimalism while shedding light on some Americans who have a fear of sharing too much of what they have worked so hard for.
Donald Trump:
The brooding kid of America. To be honest he represents the biggest archetype in America that exists today — The archetype of Anger, frustration and revenge but also that of being bold. I admire the fact that he is bringing up issues that pinch him but I wish he would resonate by inducing less fear.
Donald represents a panicking and fear stricken America, in pain, wanting to pick itself up, become great again (because it can) but too proud to ask for help. Too hurt to trust others.
Some say he is a breath of fresh air while others wonder whether he’s being real or even breathes.
Either way he is now the official Republican presidential candidate and he is running the race to lead the country.
Period.
Ted Cruz:
God bless him. He represents the archetype of delusional America. Not because he is some madman but simply because he doesn’t have the courtesy to respect changing times. The times that are changing and wanting us to keep up with it or be forgotten, forever.
Mario Rubio:
Lets also not forget another strong figure that emerged in these elections and will be a face to watch out for in the future — Senator Marco Rubio — representing the archetype of every educated immigrant’s dream: feeling empowered in this country and yielding some of it too.
Believe it or not. This is the sentiment one feels around the country especially from the youth and the middle aged working class.
We are bold, we are scared. We are ambitious, we are tied down. We feel empowered, we feel trapped.
All at once.
No matter which way you look, the average American is hungry for something more than feeling safe and proud about it’s past glories.
If you have lived here extensively, and travelled far and wide, meeting people from everywhere. Especially in the last decade or so. Then, you would see an America that is more connected than ever before. It is more displaced than ever before. It is more divided than ever before. It is more free than ever before, yet has more people in jails than ever before. America today is at cusp of a social and mental breakdown but if handled right (which it will; I am a ferocious optimist) it will usher itself in to an era that leads to unprecedented millennial powered growth and connectivity.
