Rural Aesthetic: Nostalgia, Politics, and the "Handmade" American Dream
The Aesthetic That Explains American Identity Now
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Resources & Recommendations
Books
- "Cowboy Carter" by Beyoncé - This album is mentioned in the context of country music's historical anxieties about race and authenticity, and how Beyoncé's entry into the genre was seen as a political act.
Videos & Documentaries
- Yellowstone - A TV show highlighted as an example of the mainstreaming of country and rural aesthetics, reflecting anxieties about the future and portraying a struggle against "out-of-towners" and corporations.
- Swamp People - A reality TV show about alligator hunters in Louisiana, cited as an example where rurality itself is a central character.
- A Farmer Takes a Wife - A reality TV show where a farmer looks for a partner, mentioned as an example of the country aesthetic in reality television.
- Grace Under Fire - A Brett Butler show from the 90s, referenced as a cultural artifact reflecting the narrative of a rising conservative culture after the "rural revolt" of 1994.
- House of Cards - A TV show mentioned to illustrate how stories about Washington during the Obama administration depicted a dark and broken political landscape.
- Scandal - A TV show that, alongside "House of Cards," reflected a perception of Washington as a place that was not virtuous during the Obama administration.
- Mighty Ducks 2 - A film referenced in the context of the 90s cultural battle where characters without hair gel were often portrayed as heroes connected to nature.
People Mentioned
- Beyoncé - A pop star mentioned for producing country songs as part of her repertoire and for her "Cowboy Carter" album, which sparked discussions about race and authenticity in country music.
- Sabrina Carpenter - A pop star noted for producing country songs.
- Hannah Neleman (Ballerina Farm) - A "tradwife" influencer with a significant social media following, embodying the mainstream embrace of a rural aesthetic.
- Leanne Morgan - A comedian cited as an example of country-inflected comedy.
- Donald Trump - The former president, whose political era and personal aesthetic (or lack thereof, in a rural sense) are central to the discussion about the connection between MAGA and the country aesthetic.
- Gavin Newsom - The governor of California, used as a contrast to Donald Trump to illustrate the difference between "slick" urban aesthetics and Trump's "manual" or "handmade" appearance.
- Brett Butler - Actress who starred in the show "Grace Under Fire."
- Dolly Parton - Country music icon mentioned for her crossover into pop in the 70s and 80s, which was seen as a genre boundary violation but not a political challenge, unlike Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter."
- Taylor Sheridan - Creator of the "Yellowstone" cinematic universe, credited with capturing and shaping the political moment in popular culture by creating a "soap opera for Trump's America."
- Shonda Rhimes - Creator of TV shows like "Scandal" and "House of Cards," mentioned as an artist who shaped understanding of the political moment during the Obama era with her fictional universe.
- Barack Obama - Former president discussed in relation to the cultural narratives and TV shows during his administration, and how he connected to rural America in his campaign despite his urban background.
- Mamdani - Mentioned as a magnetic figure whose influence, though strong, may not translate into a national "stock figure" due to the fragmented media landscape.
- LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) - Former president, mentioned as an example of a president with rural ties from the South.
- Carter (Jimmy Carter) - Former president, mentioned as an example of a president with rural ties from the South.
- Biden (Joe Biden) - Current president, mentioned as an example of a president with rural ties.
- Clinton (Bill Clinton) - Former president, mentioned as an example of a president with rural ties from the South.
Organizations & Institutions
- New York Times Communities Fund - A charitable organization supported by the New York Times, conducting an annual appeal to raise money for vetted charitable organizations.
Other Resources
- Realtree - A brand of hunting camouflage, cited as a dominant force in sweatshirt fashion and as a political symbol, particularly when used by the Harris-Walls campaign.