Questions About "Playing The Race Card?"

[jman19999]

Guys,

As a Sociology major, I have great interest in the study of Race and Place in our society. I have often wondered and asked have race relations improved, gotten worse over time, or stayed about the same since the passage of the Civil Rights Act?

Why does it appear that Caucasians can not play the race card when faced with a social, economic, or political unrest compared to other ethnic groups? I believe that in order to combat racism, prejudice, and discrimination, civil rights leaders must work to stop racism across all sectors of society. But why is it that African-Americans are more often to be able to successfully play the race card compared to other minority groups?

The recent tasering of a University of Florida student showed and raised questions concerning did the police use excessive force on him and act appropriately? It made front page news in print, TV, and Internet sites all over the world. But could you even begin to imagine the increased outrage if Andrew Meyer was African-American over this incident?! Why aren't well known leaders like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson involved in the protest of this? Does it require that the victim must be African-American in order for them to get involved in such action?

If so, this is WRONG and must not be overlooked. If excessive police brutality did exist in this case with the tasering, it is important for race NOT to be a relevant issue. Discriminatory acts are discriminatory acts. By not noticing members of a White community, who may be victims as well, doesn't that lead to reverse discrimination?

There has to be equal treatment, fairness, and justice for all who have suffered some form of discrimination or racism if such is shown to exist. Otherwise, people will continue to suffer discriminating abuse. What do you think? How can society combat this problem?

Jeff

[Darth Rotor]

Questions About "Playing The Race Card?"
As I understand M:TG, playing the Race card of Half Elf is best countered by playing a Race Card of Ogre Magi. ;)
Guys,

As a Sociology major, I have great interest in the study of Race and Place in our society. I have often wondered and asked have race relations improved, gotten worse over time, or stayed about the same since the passage of the Civil Rights Act?
Depends. Some things have gotten better, but there is still work to be done if Dr King's vision is to be achievable.
Why does it appear that Caucasians can not play the race card when faced with a social, economic, or political unrest compared to other ethnic groups? I believe that in order to combat racism, prejudice, and discrimination, civil rights leaders must work to stop racism across all sectors of society. But why is it that African-Americans are more often to be able to successfully play the race card compared to other minority groups?
I think it has been done, successfully, is some of the challenges to the affirmative action quotas at some universities, but can't recall the disposition of each case.
The recent tasering of a University of Florida student showed and raised questions concerning did the police use excessive force on him and act appropriately? It made front page news in print, TV, and Internet sites all over the world. But could you even begin to imagine the increased outrage if Andrew Meyer was African-American over this incident?! Why aren't well known leaders like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson involved in the protest of this? Does it require that the victim must be African-American in order for them to get involved in such action?
Was there a racial motivation for the tasering? Were both of the cops non Anglo? I am not sure how your concern registers with that incident.
If so, this is WRONG and must not be overlooked. If excessive police brutality did exist in this case with the tasering, it is important for race NOT to be a relevant issue. Discriminatory acts are discriminatory acts. By not noticing members of a White community, who may be victims as well, doesn't that lead to reverse discrimination?
There was an old saw that "reverse discriminiation isn't reverse, it is simply discrimination." Not sure how Al Sharpton discriminates against that student by not leaping to his defense. He's a rather busy man, with his pet projects to spend his time and efforts on. Becase I don't protest against the government in Burma/Myanmar, am I necessarily discriminating against Burmese dissidents?
There has to be equal treatment, fairness, and justice for all who have suffered some form of discrimination or racism if such is shown to exist. Otherwise, people will continue to suffer discriminating abuse. What do you think? How can society combat this problem?
With open hearts. Now, who is society?

Shelby Steele wrote a commentary on race relations called "The Content of Our Character (http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060974152/The_Content_of_Our_Character/index.aspx)" that addressed some of what you discuss above. The point I recall him making was the use of presumed innocence as a rhetorical weapon by the person playing the race card. The interaction is then unidirectional, rather than a two way interpersonal interaction. (Transactional analysis for fifty, Alex. :p ) The intent is to put the other on the defensive.

If you have not read that book, I recommend it. Not too long, thoughtful, and while two decades gone in currency, worth a look.

(From the publisher's mini blurb)

Steele illuminates the origins of the current conflict in race relations--the increase in anger, mistrust, and even violence between black and whites. With candor and persuasive argument, he shows us how both black and white Americans have become trapped into seeing color before character, and how social policies designed to lessen racial inequities have instead increased them. The Content of Our Character is neither "liberal" nor "conservative," but an honest, courageous look at America's most enduring and wrenching social dilemma.

An afternoon's read.

DR

[Loss Leader]

I'll tell you what I'm hacked off about - using card-game metaphors for important social issues. Why must we talk about "playing the race card"? Why can't we say "Building the race hotel" or "Putting 'race' down on a triple word score"? I, for one, would just once like to hear of someone "purchasing all of the moons around the race planet" or "constructing the race mousetrap." And why even limit it to board games? We could right now be "defeating the race boss on the race level" or "taking the race ramp to raceville." The options are endless, really.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

For what it's worth, a sociology professor I know always says there is no such thing as "reverse racism" and that minorities can't be racist because racism implies a degree of power and cultural hegemony. She says it's possible for them to be prejudiced, yes, but not racist.

Not that I disagree but I have to ask her sometime what she thinks of minorities who hate each other, then. If racists must always have power over their victims, what are Latinos in the United States who don't like blacks? What were the Hindus to Muslims and vice versa in colonized India? Or immigrant groups to the United States in the various immigration waves who fought each other?

[WildCat]

Why does it appear that Caucasians can not play the race card when faced with a social, economic, or political unrest compared to other ethnic groups?
Sure they can! Here's Chicago's Mayor Daley playing the race card (sacrosanct) to shame the opposition to a children's museum on what is considered to be sacrosanct land by most Chicagoans:

"We built Millennium Park. We built museums. You mean you don't want children from the city in Grant Park? Why? Are they black? Are they white? Are they Hispanic? Are they poor? We have children in Grant Park all the time. This is the park for the entire city. What do you mean no one wants children down there? Why not? Wouldn't you want children there?" the mayor said.
And it was brilliant! Hardly any stories about how the museum's lawyer is (by pure coincidence!) a close relative of Daley. :rolleyes:

[Darth Rotor]

I'll tell you what I'm hacked off about - using card-game metaphors for important social issues. Why must we talk about "playing the race card"? Why can't we say "Building the race hotel" or "Putting 'race' down on a triple word score"? I, for one, would just once like to hear of someone "purchasing all of the moons around the race planet" or "constructing the race mousetrap." And why even limit it to board games? We could right now be "defeating the race boss on the race level" or "taking the race ramp to raceville." The options are endless, really.
Why do you hate professional poker players?

DR

[GroundStrength]

For what it's worth, a sociology professor I know always says there is no such thing as "reverse racism" and that minorities can't be racist because racism implies a degree of power and cultural hegemony. She says it's possible for them to be prejudiced, yes, but not racist.

That is the silliest thing I have ever read.

[Billdave2]

In a similar vein, why is profiling bad, yet we hear no outcry over the FBI profilers who talk about serial killers being "white, between the ages of 18 and 50, middle class, etc"? How is this type of profiling different from the rest?

[LordoftheLeftHand]

A little off topic but I seem to remember once seeing an "Academia" based card game. If I remember right it had an actual "race card" in the deck!

LLH

[timhau]

That is the silliest thing I have ever read.

Well, it is Sociology. (If it was insane, it'd be Education.)

[Fnord]

I have often wondered and asked have race relations improved, gotten worse over time, or stayed about the same since the passage of the Civil Rights Act?

IMHO: About the same, although people have gotten better at concealing their racism when it is to their advantage to do so.


Why does it appear that Caucasians can not play the race card when faced with a social, economic, or political unrest compared to other ethnic groups?

IMHO: Because of the myths that (1) only Caucasians can be racist, (2) non-Caucasians are all victims, and (3) a Caucasian who is a victim of race-based discrimination somehow "asked for it."


But why is it that African-Americans are more often to be able to successfully play the race card compared to other minority groups?

IMHO: Because African-Americans seem to hold society for ransom with the threat of civil unrest if their demands for "Justice" are not met.


The recent tasering of a University of Florida student showed and raised questions concerning did the police use excessive force on him and act appropriately?

IMHO: The security people used excessive force and acted inappropriately.


It made front page news in print, TV, and Internet sites all over the world. But could you even begin to imagine the increased outrage if Andrew Meyer was African-American over this incident?!

IMHO: Does the name "Rodney King" ring a bell?


Why aren't well known leaders like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson involved in the protest of this? Does it require that the victim must be African-American in order for them to get involved in such action?

IMHO: You've answered your own question. The victim must be African-American in order for Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to get involved. Although in the case of the Jena Six, who together beat up one Caucasian, A.S. and J.J. have declared them to be the victims, and they ignore the person who was beaten.


By not noticing members of a White community, who may be victims as well, doesn't that lead to reverse discrimination?

IMHO: There is no such thing as "reverse" discrimination. There is only discrimination itself, the basis of which can be age, color, education (or lack of same), ethnicity, gender, geography, height, political affiliation (or lack of same), religion (or lack of same), sexual orientation, weight, or anything else that can be used to separate "Us" from "Not Us."


There has to be equal treatment, fairness, and justice for all who have suffered some form of discrimination or racism if such is shown to exist. Otherwise, people will continue to suffer discriminating abuse. What do you think? How can society combat this problem?

IMHO: (1) Eliminate "Affirmative Action" in education, employment, promotion, and housing, and (2) convert every government-run bureaucracy and government-contracted business to a meritocracy. This way, if you are both willing and able to go to school, get a job, get promoted, and own or rent your home, then you should be allowed to do so. (3) Eliminate any consideration for education, employment, promotion, and housing on the basis of age, color, education (or lack of same), ethnicity, gender, geography, height, political affiliation (or lack of same), religion (or lack of same), sexual orientation, weight, or anything else that it not based on a person's willingness and ability.

[baron]

For what it's worth, a sociology professor I know always says there is no such thing as "reverse racism" and that minorities can't be racist because racism implies a degree of power and cultural hegemony.

So if a Klan member goes on holiday to Africa he ceases to be racist until he returns. I never knew that.

[GroundStrength]

Excellent post Fnord.

[slingblade]

Well, it is Sociology. (If it was insane, it'd be Education.)

I love you. Truly, I do. :D

And my response to the OP is going to be quite uncharacteristic:

jman, there are quite a few texts on the subject. You might want to do more reading within your discipline, rather than asking a group of largely non-sociologists. :p

I took a very interesting sociology course that focused on this very subject. There's a LOT out there to read. A banquet of food for thought. Ask your prof. Or just google a few of your terms, like reverse racism, hegemony, system of dominance, institutional racism, systemic racism, etc.