Why is race such a sensitive issue in the United States? What does it mean to “Play the Race Card”?
Can we as Americans have an honest debate about race? Or, will race continue to be the most polarizing theme of our time?
For some, “Playing the Race Card” infers minorities’ use of race to game the system, while soliciting empathy in order to gain a racial advantage, or edge, while justifying apathy, and making excuses for a systemic plight.
For others, “Playing the Race Card” infers an attempt by some to slander, and mischaracterize, minorities as inferior, more likely to commit a crime, or less qualified. There by, justifying economic and social disparities, police brutality, racial profiling, and the disproportionate number minorities unemployed, or incarcerated, while strengthening racial stereotypes.
From another perspective, the fictitious “Race Card” is an opportunity to invoke “white guilt”, in order to receive, what some may perceive as an undeserved ruling, or unearned recompense.
And yet another perspective, the illusory “Race Card” is a legitimate resistance to social, economical and political disparities and injustices in society, serving to protect and support the fundamental American principle of justice, liberty, and equality for all.
As a result of the polarizing nature of “Race in America”, talk shows, news papers, and the media in general, often use the subject of race to increase readerships and viewerships while boost ratings. Nevertheless, because race matters in America, there needs to be honest and open discussion in order to progress as a nation if we are to co-exist and compete in a globalized world.
How do we as Americans have a meaningful and progressive dialogue concerning race with such varying, and often exploited difference about race?
Left of Center
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2 comments:
Why is it that so many people cannot grasp the idea that public health care, cap & trade and a host of other administration proposals are just plain bad ideas, whether they come from Barack Obama, Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi.
In many ways it is a cop out to say it's based on race as it keeps the administration supporters from having to deal with the virtues of their plans. This ploy is often used to silence dissent which was so honored during the previous administration.
We play the cards that we are dealt in life, often because of their convenience. The issue of race in America is directly contributed to the fundamental inability of the majority not “first seeking to understand before being understood.” Until Americans put away prejudgments and assumptions about others from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds there will be no progress.
Some utilizes the race card as a tool to get ahead. Although often accepted and expected, it doesn’t progress the collective only the individual. Dialog is needed in regard to our commonalities not our differences. We forget that when we talk about race, we are merely talking about difference of skin pigment. The true issues lie in the growing economic disparities between the wealthy and the poor. Let’s talk about Capitalism; the real “ism” dividing America!
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