America is broke

Inflation’s brutal, the poor are starving, and millions now crowdfund groceries. How did survival become the new American dream?

Author

Dale Harris
November 11, 2025

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“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms” — Andre 3000 of OutKast moved the crowd to tears during his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech.

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Good morning, BFA Fam! THE KING IS ALMOST BACK! LeBron James practiced with the South Bay Lakers on Monday, advancing to contact drills while recovering from right-side sciatica. Lakers coach J.J. Redick praised James's dedication at age 40. Teammate Austin Reaves also returned from injury, boosting the roster's readiness for upcoming games.

MAIN STORY

🔥 America Is Broke: Inflation, Shutdowns, and the New Struggle Just to Eat

⚡ THE SPARK

America is broke, just not in the way you think.
People aren’t skipping vacations, they’re skipping meals.

This Black Friday, millions of shoppers aren’t rushing for TVs or sneakers. They’re lining up for groceries. One in four Americans says they’ll use Black Friday deals to buy food and toilet paper. Others are turning to GoFundMe just to cover rent or groceries. Add in a 41-day government shutdown that froze food aid, and it’s clear: this isn’t about shopping anymore, it’s about survival in the richest nation on Earth.

🧠 THE LAYER BELOW

  • The middle class isn’t “comfortable” anymore, it’s holding on by a thread.

  • Crowdfunding has become the new safety net. When GoFundMe replaces food stamps, something’s broken.

  • Inflation isn’t just numbers, it’s people counting change in the checkout line.

  • The poor are punished by politics; the working class is ignored by both sides.

  • Black Friday used to be about deals. Now it’s about dignity.

  • The American Dream feels more like a subscription plan, one most can’t afford to renew.

  • The scariest part? Everyone’s tired of pretending this is normal.

🎯 THE REAL QUESTION

How can everyday people help each other survive high prices without losing hope or dignity?

🔮 WHAT’S NEXT

If this year taught us anything, it’s that no one can afford to go it alone.
Share deals, trade extras, carpool, swap skills, or help a neighbor who’s struggling. Buy in bulk together. Use apps that track discounts. Check local food co-ops, they’re growing fast.

This season isn’t about luxury, it’s about loyalty. About looking out for each other until things get better.

Tough times don’t last, but community does.

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🕊️ Eddie Murphy Breaks Silence on Why He Skipped His Brother Charlie’s Funeral: and Why He’s Done With Funerals for Good

🏡 How 50-Year Mortgages Could Trap Black Americans in a New Era of Financial Slavery

🤠 Jordan Peele’s ‘The Black Cowboy’ Trailer Drops: A Powerful Look at the Untold History of Black Cowboys

🖥️ Inside Microsoft’s “House of Black TechXcellence” at AfroTech: Where Innovation, AI, and Culture Collide

⚙️ America’s Cyber Defenses Are Crumbling: Inside the Chaos Threatening the Nation’s Digital Security

🌈 Apple Removes China’s Biggest Gay Dating Apps: A Major Blow to the Country’s LGBTQ+ Community

⚠️ FDA Removes Warning Label from Hormone Therapy: A Major Shift for Menopause Treatment

‼️ Stephen A. Smith Denies Role in Shannon Sharpe’s ESPN Exit: “That Was Management’s Decision”

💯 Leslie Jones Reflects on Infamous SNL Sketch with Chris Rock: “Lorne Michaels Had to Talk to Me After That One”

THE FLIP SIDE

✈️ Trump Orders Air Traffic Controllers Back to Work, Threatens Pay Cuts as Flight Chaos Explodes. President Trump isn’t playing around, he’s demanding air traffic controllers return to work immediately as flight cancellations soar past 2,000 amid the record-breaking 41-day government shutdown. Trump threatened to dock pay for absentees while promising $10,000 bonuses to “great patriots” still on the job. With 20–40% of controllers missing at major airports and airlines furious over mass delays, the nation’s skies have officially descended into chaos. (Reuters)

💥 Trump Threatens to Sue BBC for $1 Billion Over “Fake News” Edit, Chaos Erupts at Britain’s Biggest Broadcaster. Donald Trump is going scorched earth on the BBC, threatening a $1 billion lawsuit over what he calls “deceptive editing” of his 2021 Capitol speech. The explosive move hits as the BBC reels from the sudden resignations of its director general and top news exec. The broadcaster has since apologized for the misleading edit, but Trump’s legal team says the damage is done, and they’re ready to make the network pay. (Politico)

💻 October Layoffs Were the Worst in 22 Years, Tech Workers Got Hit the Hardest. October was brutal for American workers, and an all-out bloodbath for tech. A new report shows 153,000 jobs were cut last month, the worst since 2003, with tech firms slashing over 33,000 positions amid AI disruption and shrinking demand. Experts blame rising costs, hiring freezes, and overexpansion during the pandemic. Amazon alone cut 14,000 roles. With AI reshaping industries and fewer openings, laid-off coders are finding it tougher than ever to bounce back. (Gizmodo)

🔥 Stephen A. Smith Claps Back at Michelle Beadle, “You Feel Bad for Them… That’s How Desperate They’ve Become”. Stephen A. Smith just fired back at longtime rival Michelle Beadle after she trashed his new Solitaire Cash endorsement, calling it a “fraudulent crap business.” Without naming her directly, Smith went off on his SiriusXM show, saying ex-industry figures “talk smack” because they “couldn’t keep a job.” He added, “You feel bad for them… that’s how desperate they’ve become.” The jab marks the latest chapter in the fiery, years-long feud between the former ESPN cohosts. (Awful Announcing)

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Michael | Official Trailer

The King of Pop is breaking records once again. The first teaser for Michael, the upcoming biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, pulled in a jaw-dropping 116 million views in just 24 hours, surpassing trailers for Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Bob Marley: One Love. The film, hitting theaters April 24, 2026, promises to capture both Michael Jackson’s legendary performances and the personal side behind the global icon.

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