Paradox of Racial Privilege

In his lengthy pushback against the "white-immigrants-shouldn't-be-punished-by-racial-preferences" sentiment, Coates wrote, "Jim Crow wasn't simply a crime against black people--it was a crime against the American future. It robbed this country of the innovation and ingenuity of some of its most patriotic citizens."

Agreed. And similarly (though to a much lesser extent!), affirmative action -- something that was meant to help blacks -- was a crime against blacks. While only a small percentage of black people have gotten jobs or school slots from the policy, it has adversely affected all African Americans by lowering expectations, diminishing agency, stigmatizing recipients, and cultivating widespread resentment among whites (legitimate or not).