A reference to poker's "Ace Card" which is "up someone's sleeve". The race card refers to having an unbeatable card in a card game, which, when played, must be either accepted or trumped by an entire hand of cards (see Rodney King).
The reality of the implementation of this term is that a lot of people misuse it in order to gain an advantage that they would not otherwise have. It plays into the idea that there actually are races, and that our differences matter more than our similarities. There is a valid use for this, but it is far overused and this overuse does not actually promote equality, it destroys it. The term "race card" implies that the entire issue is a game of one-upsmanship and that it's just a matter of who gains the upperhand.
The "race card" is in play any time someone uses the issue of race to benefit their position or defend their actions, and is used in such a way to construe that someone is being racist.
The reality of the implementation of this term is that a lot of people misuse it in order to gain an advantage that they would not otherwise have. It plays into the idea that there actually are races, and that our differences matter more than our similarities. There is a valid use for this, but it is far overused and this overuse does not actually promote equality, it destroys it. The term "race card" implies that the entire issue is a game of one-upsmanship and that it's just a matter of who gains the upperhand.
The "race card" is in play any time someone uses the issue of race to benefit their position or defend their actions, and is used in such a way to construe that someone is being racist.
Misused by people of color: Juan's got one cracker of a boss, and is getting sick of the boss's crap. Juan's going to go in and demand a raise or quit. But Juan needs the job, so he's going to play the race card to squeeze the raise out of the boss, because Juan knows that they are a certified equal opportunity employer and the boss needs to keep his quota up.
Appropriate use by people of color: Suriah is being accused of stealing her employee keycard from work and is being terminated wrongfully because of it. However, she knows that lots of people who have accidentally taken these keys home, and being that the company is run by rich white people who probably don't really have a clue that they're being racist, and so she's going to take them to court and play the race card.
Inappropriate use by white people: Jim is just sure that his employee, Marcus, is stealing from him. However, Jim is worried that Marcus will play the race card if confronted, and so Jim is going to place hidden cameras in order to see if his suspicions are true... despite the ACLU's warning that it's an invasion of privacy.
Appropriate use by white people: George is prison inmate and believes that the other prisoners are going to give him a hard time (see rape) because he's a white guy that they're placing in a section filled with black racists (see Black Panthers). George is going to play the race card in order to get out of the situation and be placed in a section with other white people.
Final note: the application of humor to this topic is not in any way intended to diminish the serious nature of it. However, the truth of the matter is that far too many people play the race card who don't have to, and this weakens how effective it is in the long run. Keeping a sense of humor about things will help people to realize that we're all in the same boat, and genetics prove us to be human.
Appropriate use by people of color: Suriah is being accused of stealing her employee keycard from work and is being terminated wrongfully because of it. However, she knows that lots of people who have accidentally taken these keys home, and being that the company is run by rich white people who probably don't really have a clue that they're being racist, and so she's going to take them to court and play the race card.
Inappropriate use by white people: Jim is just sure that his employee, Marcus, is stealing from him. However, Jim is worried that Marcus will play the race card if confronted, and so Jim is going to place hidden cameras in order to see if his suspicions are true... despite the ACLU's warning that it's an invasion of privacy.
Appropriate use by white people: George is prison inmate and believes that the other prisoners are going to give him a hard time (see rape) because he's a white guy that they're placing in a section filled with black racists (see Black Panthers). George is going to play the race card in order to get out of the situation and be placed in a section with other white people.
Final note: the application of humor to this topic is not in any way intended to diminish the serious nature of it. However, the truth of the matter is that far too many people play the race card who don't have to, and this weakens how effective it is in the long run. Keeping a sense of humor about things will help people to realize that we're all in the same boat, and genetics prove us to be human.
by Ray Jenson April 25, 2006
Get the race cardmug. Something a liberal pulls out when they are losing an argument, even though the "aggressor" isn't racist. The ironic part is that Democrats opposed giving blacks freedom yet are constantly calling Republicans racist.
Georgie Porgie Busshh: This African-American man tried to mug me yesterday. I ran away as I had no weapons on me.
Bal Barpton: RACIST! HE SAID BLACK!
Later...on 123 News
Anchorman: Looks like Bal Barpton has pulled the race card again.
Bal Barpton: RACIST! HE SAID BLACK!
Later...on 123 News
Anchorman: Looks like Bal Barpton has pulled the race card again.
by yoloswagmlg December 1, 2014
Get the Race cardmug. A list of runners and riders, the weight they carry and the distance and conditions of a horse race.
Chinaski studied his race card, it was a $8000 claimer for fillies and mares of three years old and upwards, over six furlongs. Randy Rita was paying five to one.
"I'll take that any day", he thought.
"I'll take that any day", he thought.
by mustapha hamshandi December 24, 2008
Get the race cardmug. When an ethnic minority accuses another person (usually white) of being discriminatory against their race in an attempt to be immune to criticism.
Larry: Can you just go away, Jerry? Every time I try and do something fun, you come along and screw it up.
Jerry: SHUT UP YOU RACIST!
Larry How am I a racist? I don't hate your race, I hate YOU. There's a difference, you know. Way to pull the race card, asshole.
Jerry: RACIST! HEY EVERYONE LOOK THIS GUY'S A RACIST! RACIST! RACIST! *runs away*
Larry: *sigh*
Jerry: SHUT UP YOU RACIST!
Larry How am I a racist? I don't hate your race, I hate YOU. There's a difference, you know. Way to pull the race card, asshole.
Jerry: RACIST! HEY EVERYONE LOOK THIS GUY'S A RACIST! RACIST! RACIST! *runs away*
Larry: *sigh*
by The Thing with the Stuff October 23, 2013
Get the Pull the Race Cardmug. by I, Wreckerrr March 31, 2021
Get the Race card sharkmug. by AllMenAreCreatedEqual June 27, 2020
Get the Race Card Drivermug. the dangerous statement to shutup disadvantaged/low status ethnic groups(african american) from speaking out about true racist acts and discrimination against them so advantaged/more dominant groups can get away with treating disadvantaged/low status groups(african americans) unfairly and don't have to face any guilt or remorse
a statement now can be used by low status ethnic groups to fire back and shutup more dominant/powerful groups from playing the helpless minority using their race to get unfair advantages over low status/disadvantaged ethnic groups after telling low status ethnic groups to stop doing
a statement now can be used by low status ethnic groups to fire back and shutup more dominant/powerful groups from playing the helpless minority using their race to get unfair advantages over low status/disadvantaged ethnic groups after telling low status ethnic groups to stop doing
1.person a: i don't trust black people
person b: isn't that racist to say
person a: stop playing the race card, you always get away with that
2. person a: sir, why do you ignore us blacks and treat black people so bad, and not other people
person b: oh stop playing the race card, you people always use that to get your way
3. person a: those blacks get everything, what about our race(more dominant groups), our race made long steps to get where we are
person b: stop playing the race card
person b: isn't that racist to say
person a: stop playing the race card, you always get away with that
2. person a: sir, why do you ignore us blacks and treat black people so bad, and not other people
person b: oh stop playing the race card, you people always use that to get your way
3. person a: those blacks get everything, what about our race(more dominant groups), our race made long steps to get where we are
person b: stop playing the race card
by wHaTzYoNaMe May 19, 2017
Get the stop playing the race cardmug.