Double Standards on Double Time: The Perks of Being Mediocre

There’s a little secret that many of us, especially those who’ve spent time in predominantly white spaces, have discovered but may never be able to fully expose without risking being dismissed as "over-sensitive" or "paranoid." It’s a special kind of privilege—let’s call it mediocre immunity. This phenomenon occurs when those who are less skilled, less disciplined, or even outright reckless somehow skate through life with an unearned sense of success and a buffet of opportunities, while the rest of us, busting our backs with knowledge, grit, and integrity, find ourselves in the waiting room of "potential" that never seems to materialize.

It's a well-kept secret, hidden behind white smiles, polite nods, and subtle murmurs of approval. "They tried," they say of a white colleague who barely passed the bar exam, "but they'll get it next time." Meanwhile, the Black colleague who aced the same exam is scrutinized by an invisible committee, whose judgment is as unforgiving as it is faceless. That, my friends, is mediocre immunity at work.

We’ve all seen it: the white intern who always seems to get the highest-profile assignments despite lacking experience, the charming but unskilled networker who somehow lands lucrative side gigs, or the substance-abusing frat bro who still gets into the prestigious art gallery opening while the sober artist of color has to settle for handing out flyers outside. In fact, those who excel with authenticity—whether it’s knowledge, discipline, or spiritual dedication—are often the very ones who get penalized for their excellence. Why? Because real work, real talent, and real dedication don’t fit into the neatly packaged narrative that the mediocre are selling.

I get it. It’s maddening. At times, it feels like we're living in two different realities. In their world, merit is only a suggestion, and privilege is the ticket to the show. In ours, it’s a constant, uphill battle where every step forward is weighed, measured, and questioned. And if you're someone who dares to point out the disparity, well, you're simply labeled as "angry" or "too sensitive," making it clear that the real crime in the eyes of the enforcers is not the injustice you face, but your ability to notice it.

But here’s the twist: their mediocrity is their privilege. They can afford to fail. They can stumble their way through life, skate by with charm, and know that someone, somewhere, will always offer a hand, a job, or a second chance because they are pre-approved by the system. Meanwhile, if you or I make a mistake, you can be sure it’ll be scrutinized like an ancient artifact under a microscope, with guilt trip written in invisible ink on every page.

The Real Double Standard: Mediocrity vs. Excellence

The worst part? The ones benefiting from mediocrity often act as if they’ve earned it. They walk into meetings with the confidence of royalty, their word is law even if their “expertise” is questionable. They don’t need to study; they need to show up, smile, and coast through, all while making others believe that they are the ones who've made it on their own merits. It’s as if the very effort that we, the truly skilled, put into honing our craft is only a necessary evil that they’ve never had to endure.

Consider this: a white colleague who half-asses their way through a team project gets a glowing evaluation. Meanwhile, the Black colleague who pulled all-nighters and delivered meticulous work gets a "maybe next time" shrug. We’re not just talking about a slight discrepancy here; we’re talking about a system designed to reward mediocrity and punish excellence in those who don’t fit the narrow mold.

And before you ask: no, this isn’t just my "personal experience" clouding the issue. Studies and anecdotal evidence abound that show how systemic privilege extends into all aspects of professional and personal life, from education to career opportunities to cultural acceptance.

The Hypocrisy of Polite Society: When Failure is a Status Symbol

Let’s take a moment to break down the hypocritical “politeness” that hides behind this system. There’s this unspoken agreement in white, upper-middle-class circles: failure is acceptable—as long as you’re smiling while you do it. Oh, you’ve been fired from your fifth job? Here, have some wine and talk about it. Oh, you’ve been caught in a lie, but you’ve “apologized”? No harm done, just brush it off with a wink and a nod. No one questions your character or your future prospects. You’ll be offered a second, third, and fourth chance because that’s just how things work.

On the other hand, the Black colleague who missed a deadline while going through personal turmoil is suddenly marked with a permanent stain that will follow them through every job they apply for. That is the essence of double time and double standards. And the worst part? It’s all done with a veneer of civility, making the whole system even harder to challenge. You can’t question the fairness of the game if no one even acknowledges the game is rigged.

How to Navigate the Mediocre System and Build Your Own Success

So, how do we thrive in this world where mediocrity is often the key to success? Well, first off, don’t expect them to change. The system, as rigged as it is, won’t change until those in power are ready to admit they’ve built it. In the meantime, let’s put our energy into building something better. Here’s a few tips:

1. Embrace Your Authenticity: Mediocrity is the mask of inauthenticity. The moment you start being true to yourself—whether that’s your skills, your culture, or your beliefs—you’re already standing apart. Use that as your foundation. No one can ever take your authenticity away.

2. Create Your Own Platforms: If the system won’t reward your excellence, create your own stage. Whether it’s through social media, a podcast, or a private network, you can curate a space where merit is recognized, and your hard work is celebrated. Build communities that value your true worth, not the superficial trappings of privilege.

3. Find Your Allies: There are white folks out there who see through this charade, but they're few and far between. Find them. Support each other. Build alliances based on real merit, not connections or charm.

4. Let the Mediocrity Fade: They can have their "safe spaces" of mediocrity. Let them have their over-praised, under-skilled moments. While they bask in their privilege, we’ll be steadily climbing the ladder they’ve built for us. We’ll be the ones who aren’t afraid to call out the emperor’s new clothes—and the ones who’ll eventually leave them naked on the sidelines.

   
   

Conclusion

In the end, mediocrity isn’t the end game. The double standard may be frustrating, but it’s also empowering, in its own twisted way. Because the more we see the system for what it is, the less it holds any power over us. And the more we build our own alternatives, the more irrelevant it becomes. In this battle, it’s not about who has more charm or who gets the second chance. It’s about who stands on their own merit and builds a world where real excellence, in all its forms, can thrive.

Let the mediocrity continue. We’ve got better things to do.