People really do get all up in their feelings on this issue and end up making emotional arguments based on anecdotes. Oprah Winfrey is an anecdote. Somebody's grandfather starting a business in an 8x8 shack is an anecdote.

What isn't an anecdote is slavery, the politcal and economic disenfranchisement of the Reconstruction Era, segregation, redlining, HOAs (which were started to keep black people out [1]), access to free college education (with the GI Bill), access to cheap mortgages to create generational wealth through property, the resulting decay in infrastructure and education thanks to the resultant "White Flight", over-policing and disproportionate outcomes in the criminal justice system.

There are over 1000 billionaires in the US now, most of them homegrown most likely. There are about 14 black billionaires (27 globally, apparently). This includes Oprah, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. 15% of the US population is black.

The "just invest in stocks" pseudo-advice is this generation's "let them eat cake" A large percentage of the US population do not have disposable income. They are often working several jobs just to live. The "Millionaire Next Door" is more often than not just some guy who bought a house in the 1980s and sat on it.

[1]: https://www.homesweetheadache.com/post/the-true-origins-of-h...

You can buy the book for $2.39 on Amazon. If you find just one useful tip in it, it will be well worth it for you.

> A large percentage of the US population do not have disposable income.

That doesn't mean they are poor. I know middle class people who do not have disposable income, but do have two new cars, new furniture, and live in a McMansion. They simply cannot resist spending it all.

Slavery ended 160 years ago. Jim Crow ended 60 years ago. Restrictive covenants became unenforceable 60 years ago.

Musk made his fortune out of a $20,000 investment from his dad. Gates made his from $5,000 from his dad. Jobs sold his VW Bug for his start.

It's entirely up to you.