Playing the Race Card

I recently had a heated discussion with some friends about race and how it affects our work lives, politics and the broader popular culture. Frankly, most everyone at the table was suffering from some form of “race fatigue.” We think of ourselves as reasonable and socially responsible liberals and yet, when the topic of race comes up our reactions and comments are grounded in those deeply rooted prejudices we all learned at an early age.

It is the nature of prejudice and how we have internalized so many negative stereotypes and fears during our developmental years that shape our reactions as adults. Whenever we have a “racially tinged” experience, we often throw out our adult reasoning and react to the situation in a manner that reinforces our collective prejudices. It’s insidious and very frustrating.

Once those prejudices are deeply planted in our collective psyches, they never go away!

I made the statement that so much is about race in all that we do or experience. Not surprisingly, I did not get a ringing endorsement from my friends. I heard, “I’m tired of people playing the race card.” “When will we ever get over it.” “How long will we need to live with affirmative action?” “How long will I have to be held responsible for all the past injustice?” “I am tired of all it!” It is race fatigue in all its shapes and forms.

Frankly, I sympathize with those sentiments. I too suffer from race fatigue. I was not advocating that we need to own all past injustice or permit race to be used as excuse when it isn’t appropriate. Although I didn’t do a very good job, my general point was that the issues of race continue to permeate all aspects of our lives. We cannot escape it.

Even when someone exclaims that the race card is being played out, this is again is a clear example of how race is still part of our collective experience. Prejudice becomes racism when those who hold power use their power to control those whom are the objects of their prejudices. The long years of institutional racism and oppression have left their scars on both sides of the equation-for the oppressor and the oppressed.

The race card can only “be played” in a racially, overheated context. The race card is not an invention of the oppressed. Its roots are in the nature of structural racism that has flourished in this country for over 230 years. Without that racial pathology, my friends and I would never so readily label a person’s actions as “playing the race card.”

As the dominant culture we grant privilege and dole out punishment. It is not surprising that the oppressed have defined their relationships with us by using our structural racism to their advantage. I probably would to if I could get away with it.

We all find our ways to rationalize our shortcomings. Who among us wants to confront our own deficiencies? Placing blame is easy. Children learn the behavior at a very early age. Politicians practice deflection everyday. Drug addicts and alcoholics have mastered the art.

Isn’t it rather interesting that whenever a person of color justifies his or her shortcomings by declaring racism, we are the first to label it? Playing the race card is just another American past time of placing blame and not taking responsibility.

When members of the dominant culture engage in inappropriate behavior, they often plead that they are not responsible for their failings. David Vitter blames the press for hounding him about his sexual indiscretions. Ted Haggard and his followers can always turn to Satan for a good excuse. Mark Foley can obscure his pedophilia by declaring he is an alcoholic. I am sure each of these guys would have used the “race card” if they could. Unfortunately, they are the ones who set up the rules in the first place. The oppressors can’t blame the oppressed for their collective failings.

Yes, the race card is played more often than it should be. Unfortunately, there are acts of racial injustice and discrimination that always give fodder for future card players. Without a legacy of institutional racism and our deeply ingrained prejudices, “the race card” would not exist.