Two Ironies, 2 Misconceptions

Irony: that it has often been considered more desirable (by many white people and many black people) that African Americans be lighter skinned, even though that lighter skin is evidence of white ancestors, historically often by way of rape (or at least coercive, grossly power-imbalanced relationships)

Irony: the notorious 3/5th's compromise, is often taken (not entirely wrongly) to denigrate the worth of black slaves, having considered them just 60% of a person; in actuality, those favoring slavery at the Constitutional Convention favored slaves being counted as fully as free people when it came to apportioning representation in the House of Representatives, while those against slavery favored them being counted at a smaller fraction, or not at all. Thus, the odd 3/5th's fraction they agreed on (where ½ might have been the logical, split the difference compromise) was an indication of the strength of the pro-slavery faction.

Misconception: that affirmative action has primarily benefited African Americans and other people of color. In fact, research will bear out, I believe, that the lion's share of the benefits have been experienced by white, largely middle-class, women.

Misconception: that most Medicaid expenses go to treating poor, largely nonwhite Americans. In fact, I believe research shows that the long-term institutional care of aging, ailing parents of middle-class white people takes up the lion’s share of Medicaid expenses.