Calling All American Daughters

A defense of cheerleaders, patriotism, and being just like other girls

Today’s Ballot is an essay by Emma Glenn Baker, who will be reading at Secret Ballot’s Secret Agent event, tonight at Night Club 101 in New York City. We’ll bring a taste of the imperial core — martinis, espionage, and intrigue — up the Acela corridor for one night only. From 7pm on. Dress to kill.

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Calling All American Daughters: How Livvy Dunne, Normie Culture, and Patriotism Will Save Your Life

Emma Glenn Baker

A few months ago, I came across a video of Livvy Dunne opening a beer. She’s manning the Miller Lite booth at a Derby Day party wearing jean shorts and a tank top, a strand of white-blonde hair pinned neatly behind her ear. Poised and relaxed, she cracks open the can, gives the customer a well-worn head-nod, extends her toned, tanned arm, and smiles.

This video epitomizes the spirit of Miss Olivia Dunne, the former LSU gymnast, social media star, steady girlfriend of prodigy pitcher Paul Skenes, and wet dream of all red-blooded American men. The set is cheap; she’s over-bleached and understyled. But there’s something aspirational about the everyday-ness of her demeanor, not to mention her effortless execution of this simple, time-tested task. She projects a timeless confidence, ease, and warmth that can’t be taught.

Years ago on my podcast, STARGIRL, I floated the concept of the “American Daughter,” an ambitious young woman who feels classic in a distinctly American way: bold, unselfconscious, positive, and warm. Livvy is one of many such women who have punctuated our nation’s history — in our current moment, Zendaya, Ballerina Farm, Reese Witherspoon, Ivanka Trump, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders come to mind.

As opposed to America’s sex symbols, who tend to feel somewhat damaged and dangerous, the American Daughter projects a sense of vitality and resilience. And, unlike young women who derive self-worth primarily from their ability to perform canonical cultural knowledge, the American Daughter appears oblivious to the moment’s taste and therefore, ultimately emerges as timeless.