Governor Wes Moore took to social media this week to tout his administration’s latest slate of race-focused economic policies. In a tweet that raised eyebrows, Moore claimed that his office was “helping entrepreneurs of color access the capital they need,” “raising property values in disinvested neighborhoods,” and had “issued nearly 7,000 pardons for simple cannabis possession” — all under the banner of closing the so-called “racial wealth gap.”
But not everyone is applauding.
Conservative commentator and former congressional candidate Kimberly Klacik offered a searing rebuttal:
“Raising the property value in disinvested Black neighborhoods will lead to more vacant homes. Who, in their right mind, would pay more for a home in a neighborhood with low performing schools & crime?”
It didn’t stop there. @dbetzel called it what it is:
“That sounds like a CLEAR violation of the Civil Rights Act. ‘New and improved racism’ is still racism.”
And they are right.
Economic Engineering by Skin Color
Governor Moore’s announcement isn’t about helping the poor. It’s about rewarding selected groups based on skin color. That’s not progress — it’s regressive, unconstitutional, and divisive. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as clearly shown in the image of the legislation above, Americans are protected from discrimination in public services, employment, and economic opportunity — regardless of race. Moore’s race-preferenced policies walk a fine line between “equity” and a full-blown violation of those protections.
Imagine thinking the solution to inequality is to hand out economic advantages to one racial group while ignoring the root causes of generational poverty — things like family structure, educational failure, crime, and personal financial literacy.
The Flawed Logic of the “Racial Wealth Gap”
The racial wealth gap narrative falls apart when you look at immigrant success stories. If discrimination were the barrier, how do Asian, African, and Caribbean immigrants arrive with nothing and out-earn most native-born Americans within a generation? They work. They save. They prioritize family and education. That’s not privilege — that’s discipline and opportunity, the very things Moore’s agenda fails to promote.
The path to prosperity isn’t paved by government handouts, racial quotas, or pardons disguised as policy. It’s built through the timeless American principles of merit, freedom, and equal opportunity — not equal outcomes.
Leave No One Behind? Or Just Some?
Let’s be clear: Moore’s policies aren’t lifting everyone. They’re choosing winners and losers based on race, which does nothing to fix systemic problems and everything to inflame division. You don’t unite Maryland by slicing it into identity groups and handing out benefits accordingly.
If Governor Moore really wants to fix Maryland’s economy, he should stop playing the race card and start making Maryland business-friendly for everyone — lower taxes, reduce regulation, fix broken schools, and clean up crime.
That would help all Marylanders — Black, white, immigrant, poor, middle class, and everyone in between.
Final Thought
We don’t need “new and improved” racism dressed up as progress. We need policies rooted in merit and need, not identity politics and selective outrage. We know which side Governor Moore has chosen. The rest of us should choose better.
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