Girls should'nt wear pants.

Well now, where to begin? My grandmother and aunt both worked for Levi's Strauss in New Mexico for over 40 years. The company is an American icon, much like Coke or baseball. Sadly, not a single pair of blue jeans is made in the United States today.


The claim that advertisers now play the cultural role that poets once did, is unfortunately probably true. The mass of society is a shallow, fickle, ignorant bunch, easily manipulated and conned. If Tiger woods wears Nike apparal it must be the best. Yet, he himself is less than a dog. There's no doubt, that certain American products have established notoriety, this is only due though to the excellence of the product. Levis corporation, clearly was a manufacturer of denim when the "Made in the USA" meant something. Today, however, for them to brainwash the feeble witted American populace is damnable.

"Urge and urge and urge.
Always the procreant urge of the world.

Out of the dimness opposite equals advance, always substance and increase, always sex,
Always a knit of identity, always distinction, always a breed of life.
To elaborate is no avail, learn'd and unlearn'd feel that it is so."
(Whitman "Song of Myself" 3)
The nature of man and woman is more. Whitman seemed to recognize this, not as an evil, but something to be embraced, focused though. Centered, in pursuits of truth and appreciation of beauty, and self. With these lofty ideals all things are possible and surmountable.

"Do you see O my brothers and sisters?
It is not chaos or death-it is form,union, plan-it is eternal life-it is happiness."
(Whitman "Song of myself" 51)

The "Go Forth" ads imagery does an excellent job using Whitman's words. The focus on different ethnicities together and in nature, coexisting shouts of hope. The distortion though is in knowing that the ad was purchased by Levi in attempt to sell pants. Since, I am not an employee of Levi, it would be presumptous of me to believe they only want to make money. Indeed, perhaps orientation of new hires is rooted in this new mission statement. I somehow doubt this however. Well done, advertisers: equality, nature, and hope are excellent tools to use to induce ratings.

If Whitman's statement " The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it" is true, then advertisers, themselves are probably in essence artisians. The fact that Walts statement was written at a time when the written word and art where the only mediums of self-expression deserves some consideration. Granted some advertisers have been able to create originality. The rest though, just exemplify a society consumed with materialism. I don't think Whitman would be pleased at all with what so large a percentage of American's have become, nor proud of their ignorance.

Perhap's I'm to pessimistic, blinded by opinion. The first ad is a celebration of life. A life grown in laws aimed at freedom and the pursuits of happiness. Our diversity is what makes America unique, and though America's history has been fraught with trials and tribulations, America is a "centre of equal daughters and equal son's, all, all alike, endear'd." Amen.
This truth then demands resolution. The second ad commerates initiative, insists on action. A call to arms, we "the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend." America's creed:freedom or death. It is now, today that we must continue to carry freedoms torch, oppossing tyranny and despotism anywhere it rears it ugly head. Freeing our brothers and sisters, so they atleast may have the same chances to pursue happiness.

Do I like the ad? Definetely.
Do I believe freedom demands the death of those that would oppose it.? Yes
Will I buy Levi's? Only, if they fit good and are on sale.