We don't understand either

[u/BirthdayBoyStabMan]

[u/NeurodivergentNerd]

“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best-colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket.” Lyndon Johnson

Now we know that he will fight to keep his place at the bottom so long as “They” can not be above him.

[u/Xerorei → u/NeurodivergentNerd]

You forgot the second part

"Hell, he'll empty his pockets for you".

[u/NeurodivergentNerd → u/Xerorei]

And they’ll still fight you for the privilege.

[u/Xerorei → u/NeurodivergentNerd]

Yep!