The point is that “the best you can get” is, in practice, someone you know/someone who looks like you/someone who thinks like you.
Endless studies based on presenting identical resumes with “identifying” characteristics (gendered names; HBCU attendees) show that this bias is real. If you have two identical people with race or gender as the only difference the white guy will be considered more qualified, get the job, and get more money to do it.
The point is that “the best you can get” is, in practice, someone you know/someone who looks like you/someone who thinks like you.
Endless studies based on presenting identical resumes with “identifying” characteristics (gendered names; HBCU attendees) show that this bias is real. If you have two identical people with race or gender as the only difference the white guy will be considered more qualified, get the job, and get more money to do it.