Bad Guys and Hard Times
Heels as much as babyfaces have reflected the complex layers of American identity and idealism are layered and complex. Not just by the archetype of the foreign threat/menace (whether they be English, Japanese, Nazi, Russian, Middle Eastern, etc.)
Consider Gorgeous George’s “Glamour Boy” persona. George’s pampered, effeminate, cheating persona gained heat by flying in the face of masculine American values. Consider characters like Ric Flair and The Million Dollar Man, who represent the extremes of the American Dream—the excesses of American self-confidence. Unapologetic bravado reinforced by wealth and status in a feathered robe or tuxedo jacket.
This sub-category of American heels reflects social divisions of wealth in American culture. Elitist characters who are individualistic, money-driven, self-important, self-preserving, and self-entitled are symbols of societal imbalance.
Perfect foils for the All-American heroes to fight for the everyman. The most influential and true-blue-collar representatives of the people. The Son of a Plumber, Dusty Rhodes. Besides Rhodes’ distinct physical shape and charisma and style heavily influenced by black culture, like American icons like Elvis, the nickname the American Dream says it all.
Politics was a means of connecting to the crowd. Think about Rhodes’ most infamous and much-quoted promo: Hard Times. It resonated then and today because of the sentiment about how people feel treated by employers and an unfeeling economic system.
