Phin wrote:
fonzy wrote:
I agree Hyde threw the issue of race out there without evidence, and that a serious discussion of race as a motivating factor in Ireland's comments would have required a better article than the one he wrote. And I'm not saying that it shouldn't be brought up on the question of Toby Gerhart (sp?).
What I'm saying it is the "race card" label carries with it certain implications that I disagree with. Number one being the claim that our country is suffering from the race card. That, to me, is a complete exaggeration. Also, the race card stamp intimidates people from talking about race and it goes along with the false premise that we do/should live in a "color blind" society where race isnt a motivating factor for things. That's a dishonest approach to issues of race. If you want to argue against Hyde's premise, then you can do that without using a term that labels everything dealing with race as irrelevant.
More emphasis is placed on racism towards minorities because while everyone is capable of prejudice, not everyone has the power to discriminate. And while not always the case, history and present day situations show that the racism is truly debilitating when the one acting on it also has the POWER to discriminate. In this sense, racism has had a more negative effect on minorities in this country, thus making it a more sensitive issue in the eyes of the media. Not because they care, but because they know it's what will get the ratings.
Again, not defending Hyde, not blasting Ireland for being racist..just noticing an unreasonable amount of animosity at the hint of race being a topic of conversation for many issues we deal with.
You bring up a good point about discrimination, but the fact remains that when the issue of 'racism' is brought up, the subject belongs to everyone, not just one race. As for discrimination, the status quo is being changed daily. The White middle class is shrinking and there are now many minorities who have power and wealth. Oh yes, discrimination is still very real, but it doesn't just belong to white people anymore.
As for the term 'race card', if the shoe fits, wear it. Race card is a term that is used when someone brings up the issue of race when it doesn't belong. Hyde did exactly that, so he gets the 'race card' term leveled at him fairly. Had he brought it up with some sort of foundation, then it wouldn't apply. Same can be said of disagreeing with our president. Just because I disagree with him on social spending policies, doesn't mean that I have a problem with his race. When someone spouts off that people who disagree with the president are racists, they are using the 'race card'. Your effectively holding up a card that says no further real discussion can take place here because I have unfairly attributed racism to this discussion. As previously said, anyone disagreeing is now demonized as a racist and all serious discussion is now off the table. Sadly those who cry wolf know exactly what they are doing, shutting down good dialogue and demonizing the opposition. Hence the term 'race card'.
I agree with what you that it is unfair for you to be demonized as a racist for disagreeing with Obama, and I don't think race should be used as an obstacle for having real discussions about his policies.
I guess we just disagree with the vocabulary of it. I see that term "race card" being used a lot by people who do not have to suffer through any real racism, and thus don't really understand it or see its presence. I shouldn't just attribute that to you, so I apologize for that. I just don't like the way that term stigmatizes race as a topic of conversation in our society, necause in some instances it's ok and even necessary to talk about it.
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You've made no point. You're REEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAACHING. You're apparently one of these crusaders marching to the beat of anything anyone labels as racist.
I wonder what the connection is with crack users to prostitution???? Hmmmmm I wonder how far fetched it would be that someone who used crack, could ever have prostituted themselves? I wonder if a child growing up around a person like that could ever be mentally "afllicted"?? Hmmmmm
Nope, that would be racist to consider.
If you would have actually read my posts rather than just jump on the bandwagon you would realize I'm not defending Hyde or blasting Ireland, so I don't automatically believe this or other issues are about race.I'm arguing against the "race card" premise that often carries with it naive and incorrect perceptions of race in America, primarily that we live in a society where race doesn't play a role. Also the fact that the "race card" label is too readily applied to anything as soon as the word race comes up. If you want to argue with me about that then fine, but don't put words in my mouth. And don't reduce me to your bumbling caricature of who you think Al Sharpton is.