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The demise of Brand America
Culturally, economically and geopolitically, America is projecting a narrative that doesn’t appeal to the world in the way it once did.
As a child, I used to regularly walk past an independent shoe shop on the local high street. They sold a range of footwear from formal shoes to trainers (or sneakers for any American readers). On the latter, they included the freshest American imports that weren’t yet household names amongst the likes of Nike, Adidas, Puma and Reebok.
I’d yearn for some of the trainers displayed in the shop window. But for none more so than the black Patrick Ewing high tops, with the miniature basketball tag (if you know, you know). I coveted them for what seemed like an eternity but alas, I never did get them.
My desire for these trainers was inexplicable. I was too young to have any appreciation of what was cool or fashionable and I didn’t even know who Patrick Ewing was. Nevertheless, I knew these trainers were American and that straightaway gave them a kudos for which I couldn’t articulate yet accepted in my young mind.
Culturally, America represented what was deemed en vogue. Just like American music provided the soundtrack to the era, Hollywood would churn out glossy depictions of American society that albeit…
