Yes I do. Maybe not in the 1960’s but today I would argue that poc have not only the same, but greater, opportunity than white people. There are countless policies in place that have ensured that is the case. I also think that the standards placed on many people have been manipulated to ensure this as well. I think accountable, hard working, smart, intelligent people of color absolutely have the same opportunities. I come from a sports background, like all my formative years were spent on teams with every race and religion of people under the sun. I still coach to this day. I have young black men, young hispanic men, young biracial men and young white men on my teams. I treat them all equally. I constantly harp to them at practice about seizing your opportunities and being ready for the moments. But I also show them there’s accountability, meaning you must perform to play, it’s just the way it is. Not about race or religion or sex or any of that. It’s about execution and being prepared for your moment and taking full advantage of every opportunity you get. You don’t choose what opportunities you get, you choose how you embrace them. I truly love them and want the best for them. All of them too! If we preached that as much as we preach division we may fix this place. Sorry. Love you too bud.
I hear ya- and while opportunities may be the same (which was my framing, not yours, so no critique), I do think that one thing that differs is privilege and safety nets. There is alot of verified data that shows that opportunities are not the same (people of color having to change their name on their resume to white people sounding names to even get interviews, pricing differences in rental applications for people of color, etc.), but I think perhaps a better framing would be safety nets/privilege.
While there are TONS of low-middle income White people who if they mess up once, they're done for in America. However, a VAST majority of white people in America can make mistakes, and they get second, third, fourth and ad naseum more chances. This is because of generational wealth, income disparities, systemic frameworks, etc. All the things that benefit the dominant culture that holds all positions of power in America.
But my biggest takeaway is this- what you posted is genuinely your experience and how you feel. And I respect that. And while I disagree on your thesis, and I view it differently, your post underscores that you don't believe that people of color are less than as people, work less hard, or are a drain on society by simply
existing. You think they have ALL the ability in the world to work hard, better themselves, and contribute to society as much as white folks. That's a big part of what I got from your post and I appreciate it alot.
The funny thing is, we agree- My simple disagreement (and I'm fine to agree to disagree, this isn't meant to be a "I'm right and you're wrong), is that I think that same system that you think holds People of color back by
enabling them to NOT rise to their fullest potential, I think it is set up
fundamentally to hold them back, or give them less chances.
I think White people have myriads more safety nets and opportunities, and the system is fundamentally set up for them and not people of color. From what I've studied but also anecdotally experienced, it's not equal because the system is set up for White people, and I don't think it should be set up ONLY for them, and force people of color to adapt to that system. It should have space for all races and nationalities of Americans, and currently it isn't. Obviously I'm just 'saying sh it' as I accuse others of, but I'm happy to provide some of that data too, but it didn't feel appropriate here.
Appreciate you engaging honestly and truthfully and glad we can talk it out like this homie