America is many worlds.

I am mortified every morning when I read exchanges amongst members of suburban neighborhood groups. They are either severely delusional about the state of the nation or simply smug - nothing can touch us, it’s all happening out there somewhere. Let’s talk about handymen and dog poop.
NO ONE talks about terrorists gunning our kids in schools and shoppers in malls.

Then there are the homeless including veterans who lost limbs and sanity ‘defending’ democracy.

There’s us brown Muslim immigrants who protect each other in an eternal group hug. Most immigrants from all over the world find support and empathy amongst themselves. We have been othered.

Worlds with rarefied ethers where the likes of Musk and Co carouse amongst themselves are verboten to us. Closest I can come to smelling Bezos is through an Amazon purchase of flimsy Chinese goods.

A struggling middle class will soon have to live on a postage stamp - we are transitioning to subsistence level lives. Anyone have a label for us yet? Lowest middle class?

Then there are horse traders and crooks who steal our money in the guise of hedge funds, stocks and banks. Credit cards have driven people to penury.

I can list more but I’m too sleepy now!!

Excellent article Umair!