Under my criteria he wouldn't be denied. He'd have a secured card until he built some sort of credit history.

If the credit card company wants to turn Mr. Jackson's press conference against him they could say that it would be irresponsible of them to offer credit to a young, impressionable man with no prior credit history. They'd in fact be doing him a favor by only offering a secured card.

The fact that he comes from a poor family has no bearing on the issue at all. The fact that he's black has no bearing whatsoever. The fact that he's a good kid is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the fact that he's only 18 years old, and has no prior credit history.