This is a serious question, make no mistake. It seems to be commonplace in society - in many different forms - and is used to almost predominant-like tendancies in place such civil disputes, media (sound-bytes) and... well, "other"... I just wonder why so many people see using race and ethnicity as scapegoat to get out of problems or "win" arguments. Maybe it's because as humans we feel a need to use what part of the world or culture we come from to further our argument (all well and good when used in peaceful dicussuions or event), maybe it's because humans are inherrently racist or discriminating (now that has been true since the dawn of man; just look at what happened between Vikings, Danes, Saxons and Angles peoples. It isn't a modern thing people), maybe - most likely - we're all just a bunch of smart-asses who have no other way to argue. Hmmmmm... Here's the question: Why do so many people play the race card and what's your answer, if you have one? NB: Please note that I'm not trying to stir up trouble, it's a serious question as I said.

I think you need to first show some examples of people playing the race card to "win" an argument. I'd hate to assume your assertion is true without something substantial to back it up. Can you give something other then anecdotal experience?

Quote: It seems to be commonplace in society

I have only encountered one person who has ever played the race card. This was in a workplace whilst discussing work which subsequently caused a disagreement.

Quote: what's your answer, if you have one?

I simply walked away in disgust and never spoke to the person again in the further two years I worked there.

Man, why are people always playing the playing the race card card?

Quote: Original post by slayemin
I think you need to first show some examples of people playing the race card to "win" an argument. I'd hate to assume your assertion is true without something substantial to back it up. Can you give something other then anecdotal experience?

Thinking right off the top of my head:

Debate I had awhile back (probably in High School). Remember it quite well because of the aggression of the discusssion near the end.

A: So why is it that us Muslims should be discriminated... just... just because of those extremists sucide bombing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Me: Muslims aren't discriminated as a whole, if that's what you're getting at, just those that wear the clothing similar to the stereotype of Muslims fashioned by the media and SATs (Stupid American Teenagers).
A: So what, the media are ok to stereotype them and everyone else isn't.
B: He's not saying that at all...
A: Well it sounds like it.
Me: I'll give you an example, right. If you were to get on a bus to go somewhere, in a city- for instance. You're on the bus and the bus stops to pick up some more passengers. One of the passengers that are picked up are traditional looking Muslims, you know with the Mosque clothes (I didn't know what they were called and still don't to this day). They've got a bag and sit down on the bus. They get off before you, however, while leaving the bag in the process...
A: So what, they get off the bus and accidentally leave the bag...
Me: But that's the thing, you don't know that. Considering that the media and bus companies bombard you with messages that "certain" characters and their activites should be suspected a bit more. You'll most likely get a little anxious and think that it is a bomb (I was trying to say it as simply as possible and it was during a period of time where Muslims were being suspected again by others as "dodgy"- to quote some guy on a bus ride home).
B: That's true man. You can't argue with that. Most of us would think it was a bomb if we saw a Muslim like that drop it.
Me: Exactly...
A: That's not true...
Me: It's the stereotype...
A: What would you do if you saw a Black man or Chinese man dropping a bag on the bus.
Me: Me... wouldn't really think about it too much, just like the Muslim. This guy over here, however...
B: Drugs and DVDs, respectively.
A: You guys are just racists. Period
Me: UHHH... You just called the racist card. Goodbye.
A: Well, you know what I think of your "racist card"...
B: Oh oh. Bye guys, have fun. (Seriously, they said that)

The next five minutes are hazy. I remember verbally explicit profanities being thrown around by "A" like they were in the centre of the eye of a tornado.

Quote: Original post by CmpDev
what's your answer, if you have one?
I simply walked away in disgust and never spoke to the person again in the further two years I worked there.

Exactly. Apart from the never speaking to person again thing, you've got it right on the ball.

FWIW, I don't think you're racist... just hilariously ignorant.

It depends on how much racial tension there is in the area you live. Where I live, race issues come up very infrequently. If I lived in say, Alabama, I might have a different response.

edit - I just read your post, Dex Jackson, and I don't consider that "playing the racist card". You were expressing racist attitudes, and he rightfully responded as such.

To me, playing the racist card would be if I refused to hire someone of a minority simply because they weren't qualified, and was then accused of racism.

Quote: Original post by Sneftel
FWIW, I don't think you're racist... just hilariously ignorant.

This is very true, I've known plenty of people who I didn't consider truly racist because I consider racism to have an element of hate. But I have met people with some pretty ignorant misconceptions The "all black people eat fried chicken" kind of racism, versus the "I'm afraid of you and/or won't give you a job because you're black" kind of racism.