The American Dream

The American Dream is the idea that through hard work anyone can achieve a richer and better life. But why do people buy into this obvious lie? The media plays a major role in fuelling and trapping people into believe in the American Dream while marginalizing people with any differing thoughts or Marxist ideals.  In order for capitalism to survive the façade of the American Dream is crucial. As long as people believe that they have an equal opportunity to better their lives, they will not question the system. Capitalists use the American dream to keep the poor happy and striving while the rich can continue to live safe and comfortable. The media bombards us with the American dream and how to achieve it. We need only hear one story about someone who has achieved the “American dream” or defied all odds, exceeded their social, ethnic or class boundaries and has become famous, to believe it. We use Oprah, for instance. We need only look at her childhood and what she has become now and how she has bettered her life to trust completely in the American dream and believe that we too can do that. A Marxist would argue that the media traps people into believing in the American dream because it floods our society with messages and ads that are designed to keep us wanting more. If a popular car for example is introduced and the media tells society that this car will make you look professional or will make you attractive, people are motivated to work harder to buy the new car. Media is the means capitalists use to brainwash the population into believing and trusting in the American dream. Media is the ultimate tool used to secure a society's belief in the American Dream.