Role Here. Had the Results

¶ … role here. Had the results not been so one-sidedly in favor of Randall in terms of achievements, race could have been considered a factor. Certainly, most people have prejudices and will not admit it. However, the overall response in Randall's favor was justified based upon merit and not race. Class did give Randall an advantage. While the two are linked, class is more important here.

Racism exists without doubt. The causes of contemporary racial inequalities and discrimination are based in the historical legacy of the United States as a country conquered and settled by whites. The 1960s and the anti-racism movements did mitigate this. It brought attention onto the issue and spurred social legislation and action such as affirmative action programs to deal with the issues. Racial discrimination still exists but is more subtle and less obvious now.

Inequalities and discrimination persist in nations, as different as U.S., Cuba and Brazil that all claim to value multiculturalism and diversity, assure fair treatment and equal opportunity to all. Unfortunately, we are human and discrimination is part of our social and logical processing that we receive from parents. Subtle, yet present, it is hard-wired into us by the social engineering of our upbringing. America is a meritocracy. While race and class are factors and coming from the underdog's position as well as the rulers.

Success is defined by achievement. While Randall had a lot of advantages, he used them well. Many mediocre people made up his school student bodies and their mediocrity speaks loudly on its own. Success is relative though and given the differences in resources, one has to say that they were both successful to make it into management positions. The societal values exhibited in the piece are typical for a capitalist society. My own beliefs and values are based upon the idea that the U.S. is a meritocracy and that the society should be color blind and based upon achievement and nothing else.

The cases of both Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Clay are typical of contemporary America.

They can be related to because we have seen both of them and experienced them. America is so diverse that unfortunately prejudice and class distinctions are now pretty much spread around. Minorities can be as prejudiced as majorities and this has to be factored in.

Minority rage at the "broken covenant" is real but it can not be demonstrated here. It is a background factor and not the primary one. The results speak for themselves. Indeed, to promote Felix over Randall would have been unjust. The fact that Felix made it into management at all speaks volumes for societal change.