Do you think that Dr. King would argue that, aside from affirmative action, we live in such a world today?
"Name another," was my response.
1. Communal cultures and stronger family structures. White Americans are insanely atomized and individualistic and that is a serious issue
2. Birthrates/Fertility
3. Far better food/cooking and eating
4. Cultural control, especially in music and to a lesser extent in sports.
5. In the case of certain immigrant groups, significantly higher family wealth than the average white american
6. In the case of some ethnic groups, significantly better physical prowess (it's a handful of tribes where many of the best runners come from)
Obviously these are not all that significant compared to the disadvantages, but the idea that there are no other "unfair advantages" is just wrong.
To answer my own question - it's complicated; it did hurt him in some regards but it helped him too. There were a lot of people in the primary and general election who wanted to know they weren't prejudiced and voted for him at least in part for that reason.
This wasn't legal affirmative action. It was something else. I don't know if I'd call it an "unfair right" but for the right person in the right circumstance it can be an advantage. Does it out weigh all the disadvantages? Probably not.