I found Lee Perry through a Kickstarter campaign. I like his provoking lyrics on americanism and the video suggesting mainly cultural imperalism. But in my opinion this topic goes far beyond only these aspects as american culture and ideology is in denial of reallity. Just think about the strong lobbism and the weak democracy, the claim on human rights while applying torture in Guantanamo Bay, the claim of free speech whilst having huge media conglomerates and most of all the harsh inequalities in wealth distribution. Specially the resulting lack of affordable education is stopping critical thinking leaving behind education as a commodity of the corporate market and the notion of empowered individuals as naive fantasies from the enlightment. A critical mindsets and access to information is a necesary ingredient for informed decisions in a democratic soceity.
Another thing is this weird and extreme belief in the „free market“. This „ideology“ (some call it neo liberalism) has brainwashed the citizens to the degree that americans don’t grasp the concept of social market economy anymore. People without teeth, suffering or poor are in denial of concepts like public healthcare and minimum wage. Lee Perry is right: The american dream is „dead“ as nobody actually can get rich working hard and honest (therefor in regular jobs). It is an illusion held up by the ones already in power and wealth and it works so good as the few momentarily „nouveau riche“ or influenceal poeple, that won the lottery of chance, reinforce the illusion by (in)voluntarily exposing their extraordinary stories.
American Dream
"The American Dream" is a phrase referring to a purported national ethos of the United States: that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life. The phrase was popularized by James Truslow Adams during the Great Depression in 1931, and has had different meanings over time. Originally, the emphasis was on democracy, liberty and equality, but more recently has been on achieving material wealth and upward mobility.
Adams defined it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. [...] It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position".
The tenets of the American Dream originate from the Declaration of Independence, which states that "all men are created equal", and have an inalienable right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". The Preamble to the Constitution states similarly...
Definition from Wikipedia – American Dream
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry; 20 March 1936 – 29 August 2021) was a Jamaican record producer, composer and singer noted for his innovative studio techniques and production style. Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development of dub music with his early adoption of remixing and studio effects to create new instrumental or vocal versions of existing reggae tracks. He worked with and produced for a wide variety of artists, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, The Congos, Max Romeo, Adrian Sherwood, Beastie Boys, Ari Up, The Clash, The Orb, and many others.
Definition from Wikipedia – Lee "Scratch" Perry