"Giving Up the Myth of Meritocracy"

The Rejectionist asked me to write a guest post for her blog, and I repaid her kindness by submitting an examination of the role race plays in publishing.  Do only "the very best writers" make it into print?  Would more writers of color get published if they just worked harder and had "the right attitude"?  Following Peggy McIntosh's approach, I came up with a list of 16 advantages that white writers can count on when they venture into the publishing arena.  Here's a sample:

4. You can be...