People born in shitty situations is not all-right but it doesn't defy merit. Merit means that your input (effort, energy, dedication, discipline) has a large if not decisive effect on your outcome. Regardless of other people achieving even more.
In fact, especially for disadvantaged people merit is the dream maker.
>Merit means that your input (effort, energy, dedication, discipline) has a large if not decisive effect on your outcome.
But it doesn't, and this can be easily measured. Are you saying this is how you wished things were? Then I agree with you, that's what we should strive for. Are you saying this is how things are? That's just false (hilariously so).
In fact, especially for disadvantaged people merit is the dream maker.