Can someone explain this quote to me?

Question

"You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what they have."

Answer 1

This a a quote from the series "Scandal." It is said by the character Rowan Pope to Olivia Pope (his daughter). It reiterates racism's expectations on African-American's achievements and the concomitant rewards. They must work twice as much to get only half as much.

Answer 2

The two words “be” and “get” identify some type of process.  It could be a competitive market (e.g., sales or services, like auto sales or auto repairs), social or sports or educational interaction (e.g., like having the most friends, or having lots of fans, or getting selected for academic achievement awards).  In any case, it is clearly “you” versus “them” – it seems that “they” have something already (customers, friends, fans, awards, …) and it will be very hard for you to take that away from them.

Now, the quote does not exactly say that the “have” item(s) are limited and can only be enjoyed by either “you” or “them” -- not both -- but that could be implied.  In business, for example, some companies are so very successful that they are almost monopolies.

Here’s an example from the 1970’s:  Gene Amdahl was the chief engineer for IBM in designing the IBM 360, a mainframe computer that combined administrative and scientific data processing capabilities.  He then formed a company making just the main computer (not the peripherals) to compete with IBM.  At a conference, an Amdahl Sales Representative said, “When IBM announces a new product, the next day, Amdahl will announce a product that is at least 10% faster AND at least 10% cheaper.”  They needed to do this to try to lure very loyal customers away from IBM.

I once heard the NASA Administrator discussing successful contractors – they are faster, better, and cheaper.  Many articles and books have been written elaborating on this topic.

Now, “twice” and “half” are large amounts, so I would assume that change is very difficult, but clearly possible.

Another example:  there are countries in the world that pay their Olympic athletes (U.S. athletes rely on sponsors and gifts) and athletes begin intensive training very early -- in order to win more Olympic medals.  They know that they have to be only a little better to get a lot more medals than other countries.  There are only gold, silver, and bronze awards.

Extra note:  It ruins competition to give awards (trophies, ribbons) to nearly everyone for nearly everything.  Schools and contests that do this promote mediocrity.

 

At this point, it is difficult, but important, to consider prejudice and bias and injustice and discrimination and bigotry and ...   (Your other posted quote indicates that you may be studying such).  So, imagine a person of a different race or different religion or ... saying, "You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what they have."  With a beginning disadvantage (just like giving the other runner a "head start" in a race), the outcome seems unfairly difficult.

Answer 3

Quotes are fun to interpret.  My high school English teacher once gave my class quotes to interpret most days to prepare us for one of the sections of the regents exam.  Anyway, lets interpret this quote.  Take each part at a time and decoded it. Then bring them together.

 

 

The first part, "be twice as good as them" tells me that you have to try hard to meet their level of expectation or skill.  The second part "get half of what they have" tells me the prize that they get.  Putting 2 and 2 together, I came up with this interpretation:

 

You have to apply yourself and show effort to earn the things your desire.