There's a mythology deep in the heart of American society that if you work hard, you will succeed no matter your race, color, or creed. It's a familiar narrative but paints a misleading portrait. One factor that dispels this notion is the high rejection rate of qualified Black people. White applicants receive approximately 50% more callbacks than "similarly qualified non-White applicants." This wouldn't be the case if our society truly valued merit above all else. It's clear that race matters and impacts the opportunities we receive in life. Even if many Americans are shying away from the topic. Researchers found "no change" in levels of discrimination against African Americans since 1989. Their findings documented the "striking persistence of racial discrimination in US labor markets." Much of the racial progress leaders hoped for during the 1960s and 70s has not come to pass. And much like a package without a tracking number, we're unsure if it will ever arrive.
The uncomfortable truth is that our nation has a history of rewarding whiteness. And on the flip side, punishing people who do not fit that description. This was often done by depriving them of opportunities. In 1959, Marlon Gerald Hood, a Black man, applied to Emory University School of Medicine. Yet, L.L. Clegg, the Director of Admissions at the time, did not consider his application based on his merits. Having good grades and stellar recommendation letters was not enough to overcome prejudice. His enrollment in Clark Atlanta University and his specialization in health were not considered. Or any extracurricular activities. Despite meeting the qualifications for the program, he received a rejection letter. They wrote, "I am sorry I must write that we are not authorized to consider for admission a member of the Negro race." In 2021, Emory University apologized to Dr. Hood sixty-two years after he applied. And yet, the sting of rejection was more than a personal slight. But rather evidence of a broader problem. Rejection letters of this nature were common. They are a reminder of the nation's failure to treat its citizens equally. Far too often, well-qualified Black people faced rejection.
Explicit racial discrimination is now prohibited by law. And yet, this does not mean that prejudice naturally dissipates. Consider, for instance, what Black people endured during the Jim Crow era and beyond. Federal legislation declared citizens equal regardless of race. But, black codes passed in state legislatures undermined those protections. And reduced hard-working, tax-paying Black people to second-class citizens. A 1917 New York Age article entitled "A List of Negro Grievances" highlights this. Chief in their complaints were the ills of racial segregation and discrimination. The separate car act, they argued, denied "them the privilege of sleeping and dining cars." And caused them "to stand while seats remain vacant" in case "some white passenger may get aboard." Their voting rights were often denied "by intimidation and mob methods." And the "lack of equitable administration of school funds" placed "Negro children" at a disadvantage. Even today, Black students are more likely to attend underfunded schools. This demonstrates racial inequality is a multigenerational problem.
Jim Crow laws prevented Black people from "residing outside of designated areas." And by keeping them trapped, maintain inequality among racial groups. The results were most Black people living in poor conditions despite their hard work. "Neglected conditions of streets, car service, street lighting, and other public utilities." Their critique described conditions during Jim Crow. But, some of their concerns mirror those of Black people living today because many black communities have scarce resources. And they are more likely to have interstates and railroads cutting through their communities. They are more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins from chemical plants. And to face barriers to accessing quality healthcare. Editors remarked there was often "denial of the privileges" afforded others. They noted that "For Whites Only" signs were "frequently seen in the South." If only merit mattered, then Black people wouldn't have been spat on for sitting at a lunch counter. Or told their money is "no good here" when they tried to dine at white establishments. Today, Black people are not explicitly turned away. But, they often endure racial discrimination all the same.
In another parallel, they described the police brutality Black people often experienced. Any effort to explain themselves to an officer "was regarded as resisting" arrest. And "rewarded with a beating" for trying to plead their case. Today, Black people are nearly three times as likely as White people to be killed by police officers. Often, this violence is predicated on the language used to describe racial minorities. For instance, Welch (2007) examined stereotypes' role in racial profiling. The term "criminal behavior" has become a "euphemism for young Black males." This speaks to how Black people are not evaluated based on their merits. But, instead, they're painted with a broad brush of criminality. They also spoke to the "lack of legal regress" for attacks against Black women. And the government's failure to provide a remedy for "generally prejudiced attitudes of the courts." The system of Jim Crow kept Black people at a "remarkably low scale of wages." And even today, White people typically make more money than Black people. This is the case even when working in the same positions. This wouldn't be the case if we lived in a merit-based society.
In the modern era, colorblind racism has taken the place of explicit rejection. It is through this lens that many put merit on a pedestal. They claim it's the only factor that should impact someone's access to opportunities. And that any other way would be an injustice. And yet, doing so assumes individuals have equal access to opportunities. On the front end, our nation failed to remedy discrimination by distributing resources equitably. And on the back end, by refusing to endorse policies that could remedy racial disparities. It's common for white people to cast blame on Black people for these conditions. Although this is "predicated on racist notions of racial inferiority." As well as the "frequent denial of the structural forms of racism in classism." The problem we're facing is complex to solve but simple to understand. If America were fair, qualified Black people wouldn't face a higher rejection rate. Indeed, the persistence of racial discrimination demonstrates merit plays second fiddle.
This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Dr. Allison Gaines' work on Medium.