What If I Had Been Born White?
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. The WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy and competency blog, and it does not provide specific investment recommendations.
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A common question when I was a kid: Have you ever wished to be white? In my teens and 20s, I answered YES, it would be easier.
Growing up, I vividly remember seeing signs that said “Colored” and “White Only,” as if the doors themselves knew who belonged where. I went to all-black schools until seventh grade, where we received the worn-out textbooks from the white schools—sort of like borrowing hand-me-down clothes. There were restaurants where we could not receive service. This was the 1960s in rural North Carolina.
Sometimes I wondered if life would have been easier or fairer had I been born white. Just as millions dream of being born in the US, I thought if I’d been born white, maybe there’d be fewer fights, less name-calling, fairness in being selected for a job, etc.
The Ovarian Lottery
I agree with Warren Buffett, who said, “The womb from which you emerge determines your fate to an enormous degree for most of the seven (~ eight today) billion people in the world.”
Gratitude and Opportunity: The Keys to Prosperity
The ovarian lottery—another way of saying life’s luck of the draw—is “the most important event you’ll ever participate in.”
I was blessed to be born into a loving family. From day one, I had relatives who dearly cared for me—people often overlook how much that matters.
My mom and dad raised us in a Christian household with a “Yes You Will” attitude and a solid example of hard work. Imagine being born, knowing that your lifetime best friend is already waiting for you—my brother has had my back since day one, and he’s my “one phone call” in good times and bad.
Honestly, I wouldn’t trade my family or my race for anything. I’m proud of who I am and feel fortunate for my journeys.
Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger Struck the Billion-Dollar Lottery!
In 2013, Warren Buffett told journalist Rebecca Jarvis, “The womb from which you emerge determines your fate to an enormous degree for most of the seven billion people in the world.” I was born in 1930. I had two sisters who probably should have had every bit the intelligence and drive I did, but they didn’t have the same opportunities.“
In short, “if I had been a woman, my life might have been entirely different.” You never know whether you’ll be born Black or white, male or female, infirm or healthy, in the US or Afghanistan. That’s the roll of the dice.
Buffett emphasizes that the ovarian lottery is “the most important event in which you’ll ever participate,” because it shapes so many facets of your life, more than your education, work ethic, or talent.
Buffett and his partner, Charlie Munger, both hit the jackpot. Buffett points out that their success was partly due to being born male during their time. “When I was growing up, women could be teachers, secretaries, or nurses—pretty much what was available for women then. That meant half the talent in the country was largely excluded from most occupations,” he said.
He also recognized the racial advantages he had: “We won it simply by being white. No pride in it—just how the dice were rolled.” During his childhood in the Great Depression, much of America was still segregated, with African-Americans facing unemployment rates two to three times higher than whites.”
Luck also favored Buffett and Munger by wiring them with a knack for business—an ability Buffett attributes to happenstance rather than innate talent. “We just happened to be wired in a way that’s good at valuing businesses,” he explains. “It’s not the greatest talent in the world, but it pays off handsomely in this system.”
Buffett often reflects on his gratitude for where he’s landed—a mindset contributing to happiness and success.
Studies show grateful people tend to be happier and more prosperous.
My Ovarian Lottery SCORE (Scale 1-10)
| Birth Country | US | 10 |
| Two Parents | Yes | 10 |
| Educated Parents | Yes | 10 |
| Nurturing Family | Yes | 10 |
| Home & Food Security | Yes | 10 |
| Intelligence | Average | 8 |
| Affordable College | Yes | 10 |
| Role Models | Yes | 10 |
| Wealthy Household | No | 5 (Middle-Class Black Family) |
| Race | Black | 0 (If being white is 10) |
| TOTAL POINTS | 83/100 |
The US: A Land of Opportunity?
Millions of people have applied for US citizenship or crossed our borders illegally. That speaks to our nation’s allure.
Gratitude and Opportunity: The Keys to Prosperity
The circumstances you’re born into significantly influence your success. Being born rich often trumps being born talented—economists note that genetic endowments are evenly distributed across income levels, but success isn’t.
The least gifted children of high-income parents are more likely to graduate from college at higher rates than the most talented children of low-income families.
I DID NOT FOCUS ON THE IMPOSSIBLE
I accepted that I would never be taller or have an athletic build. It does annoy me when clothes are labeled “trim”. I guess the rest of us, say 95% of Americans, fall into “Pig”. I focused on the objectives I had a chance to accomplish. It was hit and miss, and I was accountable for both.
I DESPISE EXCUSES
I read the explanation below on why over 70% of black kids today are born to a single Mom.
“The Western idea of marriage, rooted in contracts, materialism, and white patriarchal norms, is fundamentally anti-African and anti-Black in design. Since 1964, we’ve seen a cultural collapse: 74% of Black women are now unmarried, and the once-stable Black two-parent household has dropped from 80% pre-1964 to less than 30% today. This is no coincidence; it results from engineered social dysfunction and cultural dislocation. If the next generation of Black men and women is to experience healing, healthy marriages, and prosperous families, we must move beyond the last 61 years of chronic relational dysfunction and stop mimicking a system never designed for our liberation”.
The decrease in two-parent homes has harmed household stability and income. The above excuse does nothing to explain or solve the problem.
Instead of focusing on my skin color versus yours, let’s agree we both have beautiful skin tones and get our Behinds to work- ACHIEVING NOT WHINING!
Your Turn – Have you ever wished you’d been born another race?
Some might joke that being born Black as a male would mean better basketball skills—my daughter would laugh at this, given my lack of athletic gifts. The reality is that Black athletes excel in sports because, when they are young, they put in over 10,000 hours honing their skills. To excel at anything, you must outwork your competition. The choice is yours and yours alone.
We’re not born with greatness; it’s what we work for.
The paths to financial freedom are UNLIMITED. CHOOSE YOUR OWN!
LET’S MAKE SOME MONEY – CRYPTOCURRENCY IS ACCEPTED!
WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU WANT TO READ NEXT? WHAT QUESTIONS CAN I ANSWER? UNTIL NEXT TIME!
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE! – SOME CHARITIES I SUPPORT
St Jude Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: https://wcnkas.org
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Investing Slow, Smart, and Strategically
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an NC. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
