Meritocracy in America — A Joke

Meritocracy is a false narrative…

LIES

The concept of a meritocracy, in which individuals are able to rise to success based on their own abilities and efforts, is often held up as a core value in American society. However, as researchers such as Meizhu Lui et al in “The Color of Wealth” have noted, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the idea of an American meritocracy is largely a myth, and that the reality is one of systemic barriers and discrimination that prevent many marginalized groups from achieving true equality of opportunity (1).

One of the key issues is the persistence of economic inequality in the United States. Despite decades of economic growth and prosperity, the gap between the richest and poorest Americans continues to widen, with a disproportionate amount of wealth and resources concentrated in the hands of a small elite. This has led to a situation in which many individuals, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, are effectively shut out of the opportunities and resources necessary to succeed in the modern economy. In “The State of Black America” by National Urban League (2) it is highlighted that this is a particular problem for communities of color, who have been disproportionately affected by economic inequality.

Additionally, there are significant barriers to upward mobility in the United…