The American Dream, Latinx, and the US Mass Media in the 21st Century

Abstract

While Latinx communities in the US have made progress in each of these arenas, there are still barriers that influence their full inclusion in, and their pursuit of, the American dream. In order to better understand the dynamic relationships between the Latinx community, the American dream, and the US mass media in the twenty-first century, it is important to first understand the demographic context of the American dream and the Latinx community's position within the United States. For example, it is not generally acknowledged, and seldom mentioned in US English-language mainstream media, that according to the US Census the Hispanic or Latino population has been for the last two decades-or since the beginning of the twenty-first century-the largest racial-ethnic group in the US. Numerous studies have detailed the historical and continuing lack of diversity in US media, in particular the relative absence and misrepresentation of Latinxs.