The popularity of true crime stories has skyrocketed in recent years. Many of these shows and documentaries have one thing in common: they use the word "American" in their titles. This trend began around 2016 and has been growing ever since. But what does it mean for a crime to be labeled as "American"?

    The term "American" suggests there's something special about these crimes. Is it the unique culture of the United States? The values that shape society? Or perhaps the flaws in the legal system? These are all valid questions. To understand this better, let's look at a few examples. There was a deadly standoff in Texas involving a religious group. There was also a conspiracy theory surrounding a journalist's death. And who can forget the horrifying story of a woman's encounter with law enforcement? All of these events happened in the United States. But what makes them distinctly American?

    One theory is that this trend started with a book called "American Psycho. " The book's title was a commentary on American culture and values. Similarly, these true crime shows might be trying to point out something specific about American crimes or criminals. The word "America" is powerful. It can mean different things to different people, which makes it appealing to a wide audience. This trend is uniquely American, as other countries don't use their names in the same way.

    True crime shows often reflect the nation's history of violence and current issues. By labeling these shows as "American, " it forces viewers to confront the country's contradictions and complexities. However, there's a catch. While these shows critique the very things they exploit, they also perpetuate them. They often focus on individual stories, which can overshadow the bigger picture. This is because American culture values individualism and rugged individualism.

    For example, a show about a woman's abduction made a strong case for systemic misogyny in policing. But it's easy for viewers to focus on the single crime rather than the broader issue. This is a common problem in true crime entertainment. Despite this, true crime shows offer a unique lens to examine American society. They highlight the flaws in the system and the cultural beliefs that need questioning. Even when they try to correct sensationalized narratives, they reveal something about American identity.

    In the end, these "American" true crime shows paint a picture of the United States. They show a country that's flawed, built on broken systems, and struggling with cultural beliefs. But they also show a country that's striving for something better.

What Makes a Crime American?

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