Is there a labor shortage? Or just stubborn "employers" who aren't actually willing to give you a chance to be employed?

Wow. Have to be a complete zero if you can’t get a job in todays world.
Shit, a huge number will even pay you while they train you.
But, first, one must be trainable.

Try telling that to people who have years of experience and a B/A in English who respond to several job ads and don't get a response from even one of them.

If you have a BA in English, your best bet is to become a teacher.

If you don’t want to be a teacher, upskill into something that can lead you to a better wage than retail.

I had the same problem sometime back in my early years…what I did was to go directly to HR and present myself in person. I was working two days later.
You gotta get off your ass. They see thousands of resumes and transcripts. Dress appropriately and expect to be interviewed. Show that you are right for the job and are ready to start right now.

Or of the wrong 'background'?

What is that supposed to mean?

Specious argument in todays world.

What argument? What race card?

It's literally a blank meme, if that's what you saw, then that's what you see.

Comrade