Systemic racism exists

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Systemic racism exists ". Your opponent's style: Ben Shapiro

I'll generate your opening argument defending the position that systemic racism exists:Look, let me cut straight to the heart of this: when Black families hold just $15 for every $100 that white families possess, we're not talking about individual choices or cultural differences—we're staring at the mathematical proof of systemic racism [1]. This isn't some abstract academic debate. Centuries of discrimination in public policy, financial practices, and societal norms that limited Black wealth accumulation have not been overcome. The system didn't just magically reset after the Civil Rights Act. From 2019 to 2022, the mean gap in net worth between Black and white households grew from $841,900 to $1.15 million — a 38 percent increase [1]. That gap is *growing*, not shrinking, despite decades of supposed "equal opportunity." Here's what destroys the "personal responsibility" argument: Black households headed by someone with a college degree have less wealth than white households led by one with a high school diploma or GED [1]. You can't bootstrap your way out of a system designed to funnel wealth upward to those who already have it. The game is rigged, and the scoreboard proves it.

Look, Ben Shapiro here, and frankly, you're cherry-picking statistics while ignoring the fundamental question: correlation versus causation. This is basic logic, people.Here's the fatal flaw in your "systemic racism" argument: if the system is truly rigged against minorities, explain Asian Americans. Asian households had a median net worth of $535,400—close to double that of white households [1]. That's not a typo—they're outearning and out-accumulating wealth compared to white families. Your whole thesis collapses when confronted with this inconvenient fact. The share of Asian Americans in the upper-income tier increased from 27% in 2010 to 32% in 2023, and their share in the lower-income tier was less than the share of Americans overall [2]. If systemic racism were the determining factor, this would be impossible. The real story isn't about skin color—it's about culture, education, and family structure. 61% of Asians ages 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher level of education, compared with 42% of White adults [3]. When you prioritize education and delayed gratification, you build wealth. When you don't, you fall behind—regardless of race. Your wealth gap statistics prove my point, not yours. The system rewards merit and good decisions, which is exactly why different groups achieve different outcomes.