Michael Ramirez: Absurd Jeans 8-3-25

From America's Premier Editorial Cartoonist

The absurdity of the Sydney Sweeney Ad controversy. -Michael

Editor’s Note: I’ve been dealing with travel and family since the recent passing of my beloved grandmother, so thank you for bearing with me as I get these last few newsletters out later during the day than I would like to. Now that I’m home, I want to start including links again beginning tomorrow, as well as more editorial content. Sometimes Michael’s cartoons are eclectic to the point where I don’t quite know what to add that would be of any substance if I’ve fallen behind in the news cycle.

Today, though, I can add commentary, because I’m familiar with, and exhausted by, this particular controversy in spite of the week’s demands. Poor Sydney Sweeney can’t seem to catch a break. She’s a beautiful young woman and a talented actress (I loved her in the first season of The White Lotus), but people seem desperate to find reasons to hate her.

The stupidity of the “good genes” controversy cannot be overstated. The genes/jeans pun has been done before in advertising, and the joke is so obvious that everyone and their mom has cracked it at some point. Because Sydney is pretty, blue-eyed, and white, she’s not allowed to make that joke, apparently. I can only imagine that Sydney and her agent alike are totally baffled by the reaction to a completely innocuous ad for American Eagle blue jeans, but fortunately no one I’ve spoken with off of social media believes in the “eugenics coding” supposedly present in this commercial. If you have to reach this far to be offended, you’re living an incredibly blessed and privileged life.

-Bree

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As you can imagine, we receive many emails, and Michael reads everything you send with one exception: I regret that I cannot share your cartoon ideas. As an editorial artist, every original cartoon he publishes must spring from within his mind, though I will happily forward your good wishes, complaints, concerns about issues, or opinions about politicians who seem to make a mess of everything. Michael tries to keep his finger on the pulse of America, so what’s on your mind? What can we do better? Let us know in the comments or by emailing the editor, Bree Lindquist, at breelinguist@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you and will do our best to respond soon.

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