Frustrated by elitism in publishing communities... How do you deal with it?

I'm currently in the process of tweaking my first book, and editing small details. Its around 150 pages. Its a small book of poetry which I wrote and compiled last year. I'm designing the cover myself and trying to figure out what "vibe" I want... I didn't intent to make a book but now that I have 86 poems I've been doing research on local publishers to see if I could share my work.

And I feel frustrated and bitter about the world of publishing...

Every poet bio I read says "has a doctorate and teaches at so-and-so university" or "finished their MFA last year and owns their own publishing business..." And I'm like ??? WHY??? I'm just some random person to these publishers. I think my work is good, in fact I think its extremely good, but I have absolutely no academic weight to my name.

Was it always this way? Do young writers even have a chance anymore?

I read that Mary Oliver (considered one of America's best poets) only has a high school diploma. She published her first book of poems at age 28 in 1968 with NO DEGREE... I'm 28 and in 2025 I want to publish a book. Yet I need a PhD to publish at some indie arthouse place??? Its so frustrating.

Anyone else gone through this? What insights do you have?