A small (tiny) point.
This writer cannot even imagine that there is a class of “Working Americans” who actually work.
When imagining journalism peer looking to understand “Working Class Americans” the author of the piece imagines a visit to an “Appalachian Tavern” (a rare breed indeed, dry counties, drinkers who fight, other substances than alcohol, preference for drinking off the back of a pickup) rather than a Tractor Supply or a small diner.
These chumps have no idea how to even find the Americans they write about, much less characterize their experience of their thinking.
One of my co-workers is an aspiring rapper, but a good guy — creative, hard worker, family guy.
He disdains rappers (of any variety) that seem to have never had to get up at 4 AM to make it to a hot, noisy factory like ours.
I believe the stats that say that about half the working class are people of color. Most of the people on the shop floor are young and-or minority.