The American Eagle campaign, with its presentation of Americana as a zombie slop of mustangs, denim, and good genes, is lowest-common-denominator stuff.

Singer Lizzo recently reacted to the controversial American Eagle jeans ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. Ex-Food Network star Paula Deen, who was axed during a racism scandal in 2013, has closed two of her restaurants in Savannah, Georgia.

America has been turned upside down by an American Eagle jeans ad. A single campaign, starring Sydney Sweeney, has provoked an extended conversation about race, beauty, politics, Donald Trump, and sexuality.