Reply #40: At that level I think you are correct [View All]

My best friend in law school was African-American, the son of a pro athlete who made a fortune in the real estate and movie businesses after injury ended his playing career. My friend, who I will call Tony (not his real name) was educated at prep schools. Graduated with highest honors from UCLA in three years and made it to Obama's (and my) law alma mater. Spoke four languages conversationally at 22, movie-star handsome, charming and polished and whip-smart to boot.

He once told me that I would have a far more difficult time with post-academic life than he would because I was not "one of them" and that he was. Tony told me that as someone who was obviously, even glaringly working class, I would have 2.5 strikes against me in every interview or interaction with bosses at prestige firms at the outset, whereas he would simply be given a once-over and recognized as unquestionably being a member of the upper class, which he certainly was and admitted to, and therefore entitled to treatment as an equal. He told me that his dad clued him into a key fact when he was a young man: when you have enough GREEN, all other colors are invisible.

Today Tony's a multi-millionaire partner at a huge and prestigious firm. In the last 20+ years I have only been able to hold one job for more than two years - $8/hour manager of a science-fiction bookstore.

Tony was right.