What is American culture, actually?
What is American culture? Is it music genres like country that line the fabric of America? Obviously past icons like Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash reflected the “americana” image being promoted in ads. As my views on world affairs broaden it leaves me to wonder, what does it mean to be American?
Expressways, diners, road trips, and industrial jobs are images that are synonymous with American culture . The railroads and line assembly production of Ford revolutionized the way the world looks at traveling. In many ways, American lifestyle is centered around road travel, which essentially birthed diners as a viable food option for cross country family road trips or truck drivers on interstate routes.
Speaking of food, what’s considered American cuisine? Although most American diet manifestations aren’t the healthiest (tater tots, cheeseburgers,Jerky, potato chips) it definitely is apart of the American food culture, unhealthy. Unfortunately, greed is an American contribution to the culture of cuisine. Fast food empires are now global brands off the marketing of super sized combo meals. The appetite for TV dinners, drive-thru meals, and fried foods dominate what it means to be American in relation to food.
Blue denim Levi’s and overalls might be the American contribution to fashion. Although way less sheek than french fashion houses, the working class allure is present with brands like Wrangler, Carhartt, & Dickies. Motorcycle jackets donned popular by Harley Davidson definitely shows signs of American influence. The elevated respected names of Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger are aesthetics that reflect the country club/casual style rather than the blue collar underbelly of America’s image.
Superhero films and comic franchises definitely have the U.S.A stamp. Batman, Superman, and X-men are world renowned characters from U.S comic giants Marvel and D.C. Growing up, the images of Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse and Tom & Jerry were constantly on my T.V. screen every morning. Little did I know that many kids globally were having that same experience.
Global brands like Nike have dominated the sneaker industry, so are sneakers an American contribution? I’m not going to say America is responsible for everything that we love, but sneaker culture is a phenomenon that originated from the marketing campaigns of U.S brands. By marketing tons of global athletes like Jordan, Agassi, Griffey, and Bo, Nike bolstered itself to the top sneaker brand worldwide. American sports like baseball, basketball & football are the pillars of sports globally, trumped only by the likes of soccer, which the U.S has an awkward relationship with. Jeter, Lebron, Jordan, Brady, and Shaq are all elements of American society.
The entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood, has been a global capital for big screen aspirations. The film industry as a form of entertainment started in New York city, where the first movie theater was built. Watching movies is now a global phenomenon, all of us coming together in front of the big screen. What stands out over the years is the violence in American films. The appetite for violence and drama is undoubtedly the bulk of the best films coming out of the U.S.
All in all, America is land of immigrants bringing together different cultures and customs. The lifestyles of the people of the land ultimately merge into shared experiences. As divided as this nation is, every person is similar in some American way. Whether its gathering for a sporting event, buying a Levi’s denim jacket, movie dates with popcorn, or saturday morning cartoons, all of us have been influenced by American culture.
