Certain conservatives, like J.D. Vance, argue that equity and meritocracy are incompatible. They believe that individuals should rise in society based on their innate abilities and the effort they put into their work. In their view, success should be earned solely through personal merit, and equity undermines this by redistributing opportunities based on group identity rather than individual achievement.
Progressives, on the other hand, argue that historical and systemic barriers — such as segregation (both today’s and yesterday’s) unequal educational systems, the over-incarceration of minorities, and ongoing racism — have prevented certain groups from having a fair chance at success. These vestiges of oppression still limit opportunities for many. To create a more equitable system, progressives believe that we need to address these structural injustices to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
I can speak personally to this. I’ve been successful in my life. I have two degrees — one in English and one in education — and I’ve been successful in both my careers as a writer and a teacher. I’ve been rewarded for both my writing and teaching. I have a decent salary, a home in a safe neighborhood, enough money to eventually help my children attend college, and other signs of achievement in my life. I’ve done well.
But what does it mean to deserve something? I can say I worked hard for my achievements, but I’m not sure if I deserved them.
Here’s what I mean. When I look at the most consequential moments in my life, I can’t deny that being a white man had something to do with the doors that opened for me. I’m not saying I didn’t work hard — I did. I’m not saying my life was easy. My childhood was extremely hard. I am the son of an immigrant. But certain opportunities were available to me simply because my name is Patrick O’Connor, I’m male, and I’m white.
My worth wasn’t always based on merit.
I can remember one specific moment when I shouldn’t have been hired — I wasn’t qualified. But I was hired anyway, and that opportunity led me to other opportunities, which led to where I am today. So, do I deserve what I have? These opportunities led to my job, my house, and, in a way, even my family. Without those doors being opened for me, I can’t say I’d have all that I do — even though I worked extremely hard. The truth is, I may never have been allowed through the door in the first place.
If I’m honest, I don’t think those early consequential doors would have opened for me if I weren’t a white man. It was those opportunities that allowed me to work hard and achieve what I have. That makes me question whether I truly deserve to be where I am. And if I don’t deserve my position, then what? I’m now a good teacher and writer. I just can’t give it all up. I can’t go back in time and say, “I don’t deserve this opportunity. Give it to someone else.” Even if I could, I don’t know if I would. I don’t know if I am strong enough to not step through that door. I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to not take advantage of my privileges.
I put this question into ChatGPT, just to see what it would recommend: “If you receive something you don’t deserve, what should you do?” It said what I thought it would: “Give it back.” But how do you give back a life? How do you give back growth? How do you give back achievements? How do you give back opportunities, earned or not?
I didn’t have much of a head start in life. I came from a broken home where I was abused by an alcoholic dad and neglected by an overwhelmed, emotionally damaged mom. They split in my teens and I was left on my own. The white privilege I received helped me survive and progress. Without privilege, I’m not sure I’d be where I am. I was one of the broken ones, and I’m afraid I would have stayed there. Should I have? I’m honestly not sure how to answer that.
But what I do know is that it’s disingenuous to say that being white in America doesn’t open certain doors. It’s disingenuous to say that being male in America doesn’t open certain doors. And if you’re born a white man, societally, life is going to be easier for you. I understand this may not make white people feel good. They may resent the fact, especially if they came from a tough background like I did. But it doesn’t mean that your personal life wasn’t hard; it just means society is set up in such a way to make your life easier and your struggles less.
So what do we do with that? I think what equity says, if I understand correctly, is that it’s not about taking privileges away from white people but rather ensuring that the advantages we have are afforded to others. This is why it’s important that companies are required to hire a certain number of women and people of color. This is why it’s important that colleges are required to accept a certain number of women and people of color. We have to make sure that the advantages white people have are spread out.
I don’t think that means white people are suddenly going to have doors slammed in their faces. That didn’t happen to me. And I didn’t grow up in the 50s — I grew up during affirmative action and the diversity, equity, and inclusion movements, and I still received certain advantages that others weren’t afforded.
I don’t think, at this point, we can give those advantages back — or at least, I don’t see how. But moving forward, we can make sure others have the same advantages we had. The difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives want to bring us back to a time when only white people had doors opened for them. They may not say they want to do that, but by not acknowledging inequality and inequity, that’s the system they’ll bring us right back to.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Ben Rosett on Unsplash
