Elizabeth King: The Problem With Authenticity

Posted on 09. May, 2009 by lollydaskal in Blog

...we often punctuate conversation with desperate cries demanding, both for ourselves and of our audience, authenticity.... So? So the problem with authenticity is that it asks that we actually be exactly what we claim to be. Part 2 of 4 Figuring out what we’ve actually got to work with. It would seem that the very task of sorting out what is and is not authentic about my current life could be wildly daunting. Taking stock at any point is a challenge, but one of the beauties of taking stock is finding those moments where we discover that what we long to be, we are. Write those moments down! There are so many facets of modern life that can demand exploration. Is my work a reflection of my ability/skill/passion? Am I stuck in false alliances at work that weigh me down? Do I feed myself and my family natural foods or are we swamped in processed products? (This one is especially difficult because of the incredible cost of organics in a convenience-based culture.) Are my relationships with my friends honest? Am I overly concerned with appearances or creating a picture perfect life? Have I financed a weeklong vacation to Mexico so I can vacation, or so I can appear to vacation (or to afford a vacation)? Does my marriage appear to be happy, or is it happy? Are the time and resources I share with my community in keeping with my political/social philosophy? The iterations are endless. And then there are the most difficult questions: Am I being kind to appear to be kind, to be opportunistic, or because I am kind? Did I honestly give something today not expecting reciprocity? Did I do so because I wanted to? Did I say I wanted to? Do I know what I want? Do I know what motivates me? Is what motivates me ugly, selfish, and destructive? The most difficult element in the search for authenticity is that, if I’m being completely authentic, sometimes the answer is a definitive yes. By Elizabeth King Elizabeth will be exploring the issue in depth in a four part series. Follow Elizabeth King on twitter. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Elizabeth holds an interdisciplinary major that incorporates Economics, Mathematics, Art History, and Studio Art. Elizabeth began preparing students for the SAT with in Boca Raton, Florida. Since then she has taught students in conjunction with some of the country’s most prestigious education firms, including Judi Robinovitz Associates/Score at the Top, Arete Education, IvyWise, and EBL Coaching. Elizabeth is the author of Outsmarting the SAT, a collection of the strategies and teaching tactics she uses every day to help students maximize their scores on the SAT. Known for her enthusiastic and direct teaching style, Elizabeth has successfully led students to score gains of well over 100 points on every section of the SAT and has helped others progress from the 50th to 95th percentile on the ACT. Additionally, she has prepared sample Writing section questions for a major test prep company’s international materials, written and taught a customized 9th grade home school curriculum, and has served as a proctor/facilitator for several online high school students. Elizabeth is also a candidate in the UCLA Extension’s Certificate in College Counseling program and has helped students develop essays and applications that have been accepted at the nation’s most prestigious schools. Elizabeth has appeared in several regional theater productions and has been a member of several Manhattan vocal studios for years. She was also a proud recipient of a Mount Holyoke College Class of 1905 Alumnae Fellowship and a Mount Holyoke College Bardwell Fellowship.