Was the Gilded Age a facade?

To answer this question, one must first define the "Gilded Age" as well as "facade." The Gilded Age ran from around 1870 to 1900 in the United States and is characterized by population growth, technological advancements, and social progress. A facade is a false front meant to hide problems within a structure.
The Gilded Age was a facade because many historians attempt to highlight the advancements of the time, overlooking the many problems in the United States.
Population growth saw millions of "new immigrants" arrive from southern and eastern Europe. However, when these people arrived in the United States, they faced racism at the hands of the "old immigrants" from northern and western Europe. The West Coast of the United States saw an influx of Asian immigrants, who likewise were met with racist attitudes.
While technological advancements were important to the growth of America, they came at a cost. Working on the railroad was difficult and dangerous work, typically reserved for the new immigrants. Even working conditions in the urban factories were demanding. Employees were forced to work in dangerous conditions for extended shifts, and tired workers tended to make mistakes.
While some social progress occurred during the Gilded Age, a myriad of social issues remained. Many women worked toward voting rights and equal employment opportunities, but both of these were still decades away. Labor unions fought for workers' rights but were often crushed at the hands of the company. Politics were dominated by corruption, and several cities were completely owned by political machines.