In a disheartening yet all-too-familiar tale, actor Wendell Pierce, widely recognized for his roles in The Wire and Jack Ryan, recently claimed that his application for an apartment in Harlem, New York, was denied due to his race. If the irony of racial discrimination in a neighborhood famous for its rich African American heritage weren't lost on you, then perhaps you're already seated comfortably for this ride through America's latest installment of "What Year Is This Anyway?"

Pierce, who has an impressive list of credentials that include proof of employment, substantial bank statements, and real estate holdings, found himself denied by a white apartment owner (NY Post). Now, let's consider for a moment that this is a man who plays a CIA detective on TV, yet couldn't get past the fictional security clearance of a rental application.

In an incendiary and heartfelt response, Pierce emphasized that racism and bigotry are alive and kicking, along with the people who can't seem to read past the first line of someone's IMDb page. He used his personal experience as a living, breathing example of the insidious nature of bigotry (NY Post), further illustrated by a recent court decision blocking a venture firm's program for Black women.

Pierce isn't just resting on his laurels; he’s juggling multiple high-profile projects. Currently, he’s working on TV series like Elsbeth and Raising Kanan, while also filming for the upcoming movie Superman (NY Post). Did we mention he recently wrapped up the fourth season of Jack Ryan and completed a Broadway run in Death of a Salesman? The man’s résumé would make a résumé jealous.

In what might be the year's biggest head-scratcher, the denial of Pierce’s housing application has drawn swift reactions from the public on social media. Perhaps the apartment owner's next step will be to cast a cameo role in an upcoming season of Suits, where they get their very own re-trial in the court of public opinion.

Pierce seized the moment to illuminate the historical context of laws designed to protect former slaves from discrimination. His actors' ability to land a role in an industry historically closed to Black performers evidently didn't translate to renting an apartment in Harlem. Pierce’s criticisms didn’t stop there. He took aim at Edward Blum, an opponent of affirmative action, accusing him of blocking private funding for Black businesses—a move that displays all the logical consistency of a dystopian novel.

Interestingly, the apartment Pierce had his eye on sits in Harlem, a neighborhood teeming with African American history. Couple this with Pierce's high-profile roles such as Baltimore police Detective William 'Bunk' Moreland in The Wire and CIA Detective James Greer in Jack Ryan, and you're left wondering what sort of bizarro universe the apartment owner is living in. The same universe that cast Pierce as Perry White in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, possibly.

In a poetic twist, Pierce highlighted the racist irony in blocking private investment into Black businesses while laws exist to prevent such discrimination—laws that apparently need a refresher in Application Denial 101. It’s a script no one would choose to write, yet unfolds in real time, revealing the unsettling juxtaposition between front-page legislation and back-room bigotry.

While this saga may add another layer to Pierce’s already multi-dimensional career, it doesn't detract from the broader issues at hand. Wendell Pierce didn’t just apply for an apartment; he shined a glaring spotlight on a reality many hoped was left in a bygone era. But as it turns out, some things never change—they just get re-suited.