In today's hyperconnected world, keeping up with the latest political developments can often feel overwhelming. Many of my friends, staunchly tuned into the actions of the Trump administration, are constantly sharing the latest news, each headline seemingly more alarming than the last. As they recount these stories, their urgent question is always: "Can you believe this?" And honestly, yes, I can.

The need to stay informed and the desire to share that information is fundamental, especially in a nation where many are often uninformed about critical current events. This sharing is more than just exchanging information; it's about building a community, finding allies in what feels like an increasingly divided world. This drive to connect around news is a natural human impulse and is inherently valuable. But personally, I find myself stepping back from the granular details of each political skirmish or scandal.

Over the past six months, my contributions on these topics have been sparse. This isn't due to a lack of concern but rather a protective measure against the despair that can come from too closely following the barrage of unsettling news. However, the core of my reticence lies deeper. In this piece, I want to explore the difference between simply recounting events and understanding the underlying phenomena—between the manifestations and the 'thing itself.'

While the daily controversies are certainly worthy of attention, they often distract from deeper, more systemic issues. Trumpism, as a phenomenon, differs from the personality and behaviors of Donald Trump himself. Though they overlap significantly, Trumpism transcends individual characteristics like greed and narcissism and taps into broader social and economic shifts.

Our current era is marked by significant transformations: mass global migration and the decline of traditional American industries due to globalization; a weakening of organized labor; a split economy where low-wage jobs rely heavily on migrant labor while high-paying sectors demand advanced education. These changes have intensified political and economic divides, particularly between urban and rural areas, and have fueled a resurgence of a potent, conservative Christianity.

These dynamics are also pressing against the long-standing hegemony of whiteness in America. As demographic shifts promise a future where no single racial group holds a majority, there's been a reactionary pushback—a clinging to a mythologized past where racial hierarchies went unchallenged. This cultural and political backlash is part of what makes our current political climate so volatile and cruel, particularly towards those who are not white.

Understanding these shifts requires crafting a narrative that encapsulates not only the events of today but also the enduring aspects of American identity, such as the veneration of wealth and the allure of authoritarian figures. This task is daunting, akin to painting a moving train, and perhaps explains why many choose to focus on the immediate rather than the foundational.

Yet, despite the challenge, I remain committed to probing deeper, to articulating the underlying currents rather than getting swept up in the day-to-day scandals. It's a monumental task, but one that is essential if we are to truly grasp the moment we are living through and its implications for the future. In sharing these thoughts, I invite others to look beyond the surface, to explore not just the manifestations of our time, but the thing itself.