How the Meritocracy Myth Upholds Systemic Racism

One of the foundational principles of America - is that of the meritocracy. The idea is that if you just work hard - you can get ahead. That's the promise of the American Dream right? But what if that promise was all a lie?

Like many people - my mom grew up believing this myth. And it turns out that the consequences of believing in the magical power of hard work can actually support racial prejudice. Because if you believe that anyone who works hard succeeds - then you also believe that if you are not succeeding... it must be because you aren't working hard. And so if you grow up in a society where you are surrounded by inequality, particularly racial inequality, then it is not unreasonable for you to conclude that Black people aren't succeeding because they aren't working hard enough.

And this all, of course, ignores all of the many ways White people have been given specific advantages by the government (the homestead act, the GI Bill, etc.) and Black people have been given significant obstacles (Jim Crow segregation, red-lining, etc.) The myth of the meritocracy is one of the main mechanisms that upholds White supremacy in America - but it also harms everyone in the working class, and those living in poverty... and also obscures the positive role that the government can play in helping people prosper.