"Using the race card" --does the phase cast doubt on all claims of racism?

[CreekDog]

2 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes, the phrase casts doubt or sheds negative light on all claims of racism
	2 (100%)
	No, the phase does not cast doubt or shed negative light on all claims of racism
	0 (0%)
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[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I am instantly suspicious of anyone who uses that phrase.

It seems to almost always simply indicate the person using it wants to avoid actually considering the role race plays in just about every aspect of life in America.

[nomorenomore08]

2. +1

[CreekDog]

3. +2

[gollygee]

7. +3

[KurtNYC]

9. The phrase is meant to be dismissive of any actual racism and it also

implies that calling out racism is just a game, like cards.

[Zorra]

11. +1 nt

[cthulu2016]

4. Do you mean when the phrase is applied to a claim of racism?

It is a disparaging term, yes.

[CreekDog]

5. yes, that's what i mean

i've never heard it used in any other way.

[CreekDog]

6. 1 more

[el_bryanto]

8. Why does it work? Because rhetoric and argument in politics is a game much of the time.

We are conditioned to believe that people who say things we agree with are honest and open and speaking from the heart, while those who disagree with us are duplicitous and disingenuous, saying whatever is most effective without regard to the truth.

If you are opposed to civil rights, or seeing the black community succeed, or even if you are just a garden variety Conservative who doesn't want to see social programs for the poor continued or enacted, well "playing the race card" whenever anybody mentions the plight of Black America fits into your narrative - it underlines that to the people you disagree with, this is just a game, and they are simply pulling out the most emotional jackhammer they can find to "win."

Bryant

[CreekDog]

10. yes, in a way, the phrase does "work" and is effective

the term does denigrate accusations of bias or racism.

[RandoLoodie]

12. Someone who uses that phrase is a racist

and they're probably mad they can't call African Americans the N word anymore.

[Lizzie Poppet]

13. It's a perfect example of how an argument with a narrow, specific meaning gets jumped on...

...and applied to a broad range of situations, most of which it doesn't apply to.

Are there cases when someone does indeed "play the race card" as a way of both attacking the character of their opponent and deflecting from that opponent's actual objection? Of course there are.

Are those valid usages a hundredth as common as cases in which the phrase is used to deflect from legitimate cases in which racism is at least a legitimate potential concern (of not definitely present)? I doubt it. I think everyone has probably seen countless cases of the phrase being used as a deflection or dismissal of racism.

[CreekDog]

14. well what is the definition of the term?

[JI7]

15. i see the term as racist , there have been times when someone may have thought

something was racist and i disagreed but i would never use that term against the person.

i would explain why i didn't think it had to do with racism.

[WatermelonRat]

16. While there are a fair few cases of individuals being too quick to assume racism...

This phrase is often used to trivialize ALL claims of racism.