Why Artificiality Might Be Better in the Long Run
The Progressive Teen Contributing Writer
If you were to ask everyday Americans what they dislike the most about their politicians, there is no doubt that many would point to the frustrating lack of sincerity displayed by members of Congress. On the other hand, if you were to ask ordinary Americans why they support certain candidates or politicians, they would likely say that the politician “tells it how it is” or tries their hardest to create change within their communities.
These were the thoughts that were running through my mind when I was given the task of arguing whether or not artifice, or acting in an elusive manner, was the most essential skill a politician could utilize in the political sphere. Immediately, I started on a two-page explanation of how artifice was absolutely not the most essential skill a politician could possess, in favor of explaining how sincerity really connected politicians to their constituents who could then re-elect them.
However, what I failed to realize at the time was that what sincerity as a stand-alone quality lacks is the grandeur, zest, and sheer magnetism needed to catch people’s attention, rendering it near futile in the political world. After re-evaluating my previous stance, I now realize that when artifice is woven in seamlessly with a candidate’s narrative, it is an unstoppable force, and is actually one of the most essential skills that a politician can possess in order to further enhance their platform and candidacy.
Take, for example, the famed AOC. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, before reaching her current mainstream popularity in the House of Representatives, was a bartender and waitress in New York. All the odds were stacked against her, and she knew that even if she understood the plight of the common man, her voice and presence would be overshadowed by that of her opponent. Thus, AOC decided that she needed to take her campaign strategy up a notch, by employing artifice in order to create an unforgettable narrative. Imagine this: posters mimicking that of Mexican Revolutionaries, with exclamation marks with stars placed on either side of Ocasio’s name in order to represent her Puerto-Rican heritage, exciting Hispanic voters. Bold colors of purple featured prominently in order to show how voting for Ocasio would further diversify Congress. An inspirational campaign video titled “The Courage to Change” in which Ocasio portrays herself as an everyday woman, and states that she has the political courage to create change, not because she wants the power, money, or fame like her opponent, but because she realizes that New York needs to change for the benefit of the people. Her people. This narrative of being a revolutionary advocate for change, for being a tired minority working for the masses, starting from nothing, turning down money from PACs, and rising to change the lives of the community launched Ocasio to her candidacy and her current renown status. Her effective use of artifice, shown by the grandiose promotion of her campaign which made her seem like a sincere candidate with fresh views and an outsider persona, allowed AOC to reach the position of representative in the House, where she now has the opportunity to advocate for the change that she espoused as critical in her campaign. Her sincerity has essentially been given a platform by her effective use of artifice, as now Ocasio can communicate her genuine dedication to help the people she now represents. Almost all of the bills she proposes and cosponsors gains widespread attention now, thus helping her career, initiatives, and future candidacy as a politician.
