I don't think they're mutually exclusive they just apply at different times because we have inconsistent standards. Being white gives you a lot of advantages,

I don't think they're mutually exclusive they just apply at different times because we have inconsistent standards. Being white gives you a lot of advantages, but I'd say on occasion (affirmative action, diversity based decisions, etc.) then playing non-white can be advantageous. My underlying concern is that in a highly competitive society where we're so pushed at every corner we look for any advantages we can take to get ahead (reasons people lie about silly things like race/ethnicity), how do we maintain trust and cohesion in our society? At some point, people will lie about anything and everything to get ahead to a point that I no longer believe even the most trivial of statements they claim. At that point, my trust is completely removed. It's already well on its way down to nothing but at least now I can look at motives and question why someone may or may not lie and think about the large obvious factors. At some point, the factors people lie about may become so asinine to get ahead that I have 0 trust in anyone at all anymore. How do you operate in a society where trust is all but completely removed.