Detailed Breakdown:

1. Disillusionment with the U.S. Government:
   • The author expresses a long-standing belief that the U.S. government does not care about Black Americans or marginalized groups, a sentiment held since childhood. This belief is reaffirmed by witnessing the government’s priorities in recent times, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. The government’s response to domestic crises, or lack thereof, highlights a disconnect between its actions and the needs of its citizens.
2. Contrasting Aid Priorities:
   • The author’s frustration is intensified by a stark contrast between the U.S. government’s quick approval of foreign aid packages, specifically to Israel, and the lack of sufficient aid to its own citizens affected by natural disasters. In this instance, the U.S. approved over $8 billion in aid to Israel, adding to a cumulative total of over $15 billion in just the past year. Meanwhile, Americans, particularly those in hurricane-ravaged states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, are left grappling with the devastation with little visible support.
3. Emotional and Psychological Impact:
   • The juxtaposition of watching natural disaster coverage, showing families suffering and homes destroyed, while receiving news of massive foreign aid, creates a sense of betrayal. For people enduring crisis at home, the allocation of resources to overseas conflicts instead of domestic relief efforts can feel like a slap in the face. The author reflects on the emotional toll this takes, imagining how people in these devastated areas might feel upon hearing this news, deepening their sense of abandonment.
4. Critique of U.S. Foreign Policy:
   • The frustration also stems from the U.S.’s continued involvement in foreign conflicts, like its military aid to Israel, while domestic infrastructure crumbles and citizens struggle in disaster zones. The author suggests that U.S. priorities are skewed toward supporting foreign military actions over addressing the pressing needs of its own people, particularly those who are not wealthy or powerful.
5. Widespread Alienation:
   • While the author speaks from the perspective of a Black American, they broaden the scope of their criticism to include all Americans who are not part of the elite. The message is clear: the government appears indifferent not only to the struggles of marginalized groups but to the general population that is not wealthy. This systemic neglect is seen as further evidence that the U.S. government’s interests lie elsewhere, leaving ordinary people to fend for themselves in times of crisis.
6. Conclusion:
   • The author concludes by reinforcing the idea that they have long known the U.S. does not care about Black Americans, but now they see it as a broader issue. The government’s priorities, they argue, reveal a fundamental lack of concern for its citizens in favor of foreign interests and military support. This creates a growing divide between the government and its people, as domestic needs are overlooked while billions are sent overseas.

This breakdown highlights the emotional and political disillusionment that stems from the government’s apparent failure to prioritize its own citizens in times of need. The author’s reflection serves as a critique of both U.S. domestic policy and foreign aid decisions, urging a reevaluation of national priorities.