All things considered, I believe that had I been a fellow white in a comparable situation, this former employer would have treated me as another human being, rather than quibbling about the number of years since he last worked with me. That said, had I been white, the situation would not have arisen since I would have had a whole network of recommenders, eager to write glowing letters for me. Be that as it may, this person added to the stressful barriers that I faced in a system already stacked against me — despite his progressive ideals.