Thank God there’s only two days left of Black History month! As we have heard all month long how bad White people, are here’s another headline full of lies, this time from Level Man. This headline was published Monday, February 24. 2025, “Why Claim to Value Merit But Reject Qualified Black People.”
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.
“You know, I get so tired of hearing about these poor, poor black people in America, and how rough they have it.” said Thomas Robb, the National Director of the Knights Party of the Ku Klux Klan, centrally based in Harrison, Arkansas. “They mention something that happened in 1959. This is 2025, you would think that they would have something more recent to cry about. What happened 66 years ago is kind of irrelevant, don’t you think? For many years merit didn’t mean anything to Whites. Blacks were picked over Whites in everything from education to jobs. When you think about it, not too long ago that practice was abandoned. Why? Maybe because someone figured out that by nature Whites are more intelligent, motivated, and reliable. That makes sense to me. Or who knows, maybe if blacks stopped commiting 56% of America’s crimes, and stayed in school, they would get farther today. That also makes sense to me. This is a White country. I believe America is 63% White, and 13% black. How in the world does anyone expect the work force to be 50/50? How about in education? When people can’t comprehend facts and statistics, you’re never going to get through to them. That’s why we keep hearing about how bad black people have it in America. Blacks should be given a tour around the world. See if any other White country has a Black History month. Each year February is getting harder to swallow for many Whites in America.”
