Unfortunately, leftists are incapable of understanding what merit means. They've been conditioned by Marxists for decades to believe everyone is identical in every way. They don't get merit because that destroys their world view that someone might be better at something than someone else.
I know for s fact that I am not as good at my job (software developer) as others. I've met much better programmers than me. They weren't hired because of skin color but because of ability. And I worked with almost every race out there. And some of those non-white programmers were much better than I am. I don't hate them for that, I just wish I had kind of that talent. I'm inspired by them.