I believe they are referring to the safety net provided by relative white wealth. Median net worth for white families in America is 10x that of black families.

I believe they are referring to the safety net provided by relative white wealth. Median net worth for white families in America is 10x that of black families. Which means they are much more likely to be able to get support from home or even a home to move back to if things get tough. It's a lot easier to take the economic risk of a post-grad or post-doc program when you know there is a family with means to fall back on. Excessive student loans are not a serious issue relative to what many in poverty face. If you don't make enough money to pay your student loans, then you can defer them indefinitely. Or just not pay them. It might keep you from getting rich. But it's not going to keep you from eating.