Authenticity and Justice

So much of changing hearts and minds in the policy realm is about relating things in a personal way to people. Obviously, the first step in that is being willing to get a little real, to put yourself out there and be willing to connect to people, uncomfortable as it may be.

Messaging which pulls at heart strings is the science of effective civil rights campaigns. The research is there. I felt very motivated to be authentic and have some harder conversations post Trayvon Martin and post the Texas reproductive rights debacle, knowing a little vulnerability could go a long way. It felt good to speak from my own experience, and people responded well. 

Authenticity is most productive when done correctly. It is not simply word vomit at people. These past few weeks have taught me a lot about existential authenticity as responsibility to be transparent about one’s own role in every situation, which is so vastly different from the perspective that authenticity is being transparent about one’s feelings and desires. Sometimes our feelings and desires are inauthentic when lined up next to reality. They are based on refusal to acknowledge who we choose to be or the roles we merely accept, instead of utilizing our voice and choice. It takes integrity and commitment to fully engage and assess, how did I land myself at this point in my life and what steps should I take from here? But with that level of authenticity comes autonomy and clarity to make choices which make us feel more fulfilled. It’s quite endlessly freeing. It makes justice on any level seem feasible.

It’s why we dress in orange and cheer when we know the opposition will still vote terrible policy into law. Because simply the use of our authentic voice, about what this policy does to women, has power. It has a ripple effect. New campaigning will happen in this state, recognizing there is a progressive presence. Judicial review will poke holes in the improperly conducted legislative process. We are, ever so slowly, putting a dent in creating a more just, loving, equal world for ourselves and for others.