America prides itself on the idea that we give fair, equal opportunities to all citizens in our country. No matter who you are or where you came from if one works hard enough social mobility is achievable. Khan’s Privilege, and the documentary White Like Me, helps explain how this idea of meritocracy in America is extremely flawed. Colorblind racism is reinforced by affirmative action, and scholarships, as a way to help promote an equal playing field, which only enhances the idea of meritocracy. While examples of black success like the 2008 election are being used as proof that America is no longer racist and that there is no reason, except for ones own, for no social mobility.
According to Khan (2011), Americans, more specifically, white Americans have gone from the mindset of entitlement, to a mindset of merit. If one did not work for their spot in society, then it is not an accomplishment to be proud of (Khan 2011). Overall, this idea of merit, one must work hard for a better life, is a great thing, but what these white Americans aren’t seeing are the roadblocks that are in the way of minorities and their opportunities to …show more content…
The big one being the 2008 election, Obama’s presidential win brought about many mixed emotions. Leading up to the actual election, many white Americans voiced that they would not vote for Obama because he was black. Once elected the media had a field day, pushing that there is no more excuses for minorities, that if they didn’t make it they must not have worked hard enough (Wise 2015). The 2008 election gave white Americans an example to point to to show that racism was lesser of a thing and everyone was basically equal now (Wise 2015). These ideas just furthered the colorblind theory, being blind to someone’s race and how that’s impacted their life. There couldn’t be racism because America has a black man as president (Wise
According to Khan (2011), Americans, more specifically, white Americans have gone from the mindset of entitlement, to a mindset of merit. If one did not work for their spot in society, then it is not an accomplishment to be proud of (Khan 2011). Overall, this idea of merit, one must work hard for a better life, is a great thing, but what these white Americans aren’t seeing are the roadblocks that are in the way of minorities and their opportunities to …show more content…
The big one being the 2008 election, Obama’s presidential win brought about many mixed emotions. Leading up to the actual election, many white Americans voiced that they would not vote for Obama because he was black. Once elected the media had a field day, pushing that there is no more excuses for minorities, that if they didn’t make it they must not have worked hard enough (Wise 2015). The 2008 election gave white Americans an example to point to to show that racism was lesser of a thing and everyone was basically equal now (Wise 2015). These ideas just furthered the colorblind theory, being blind to someone’s race and how that’s impacted their life. There couldn’t be racism because America has a black man as president (Wise