I also wonder at what the expected solution — taking my doctorate back? It’s a weird “zero sum” game. If the solution is lower the bar or jigger (more) with who makes it through to success, the nation suffers. If the solution is raise the bar, you suffer. That only leaves one solution: work harder.

Here’s the part you don’t say in your piece, however— White America brought this on itself. Americans of color were either excluded or made to meet higher standards in order to participate. Both of those hurdles are now haunting you. Hard to feel sympathy.

As to the first, had there been more inclusion, equality laws would have been unnecessary. For those who believe people of color have only advanced because of intellectual or achievement handouts, systemic kindness have negated the “leg up.” Moral? You brought it on yourself; you should have been nicer.

As to the second, on the other end of the scale, people of color had to be twice as good to be allowed into “the game”: polite society, degreed professions, whatever. And so that’s what we became. Anyone who understands how math works understands the point of diminished returns made that VERY bad long game.

Moral? Again, a self inflicted wound. You brought it on yourself; you should have been more inclusive.

What am I missing? This isn’t unfairness, it’s just consequence.

Who is White American looking to to save it from itself? Because that’s what it’s going to need at this rate.