The Rant-False Personas?

Identity politics refers to political approaches where people of a particular religion, race, or social background form exclusive alliances. However, a particularly disingenuous manifestation of identity politics has emerged: political parties adopt per formative personas, fabricating origins and appropriating cultural expressions for perceived political gain. This is often encapsulated by adopting slang "ghetto" language and identifying with an upbringing that is demonstrably false. This linguistic appropriation serves to patronize and stereotype communities, reducing their rich cultural heritage to a simplistic caricature. The danger of such per formative identity is multi-faceted. It undermines political trust, trivializes and disrespects the genuine experiences of those who have navigated systemic oppression and cultural marginalization, and distracts from substantive policy debates. The emphasis shifts from concrete plans to the theatrical performance of identity, prioritizing the illusion of connection over actual, impactful solutions. For a healthy democracy, authenticity, substance, and a leadership that connects with constituents should be prioritized over fabricated narratives and borrowed slang.