# So. That's what the race card looks like... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 31, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448 "2004-03-31T02:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/21 "2004-03-31T11:18:49Z")
I witnessed an incident of ‘the race card’ a couple of years back - one of my neighbours was finding her driveway regularly blocked by the car of a frequent visitor to another house in the street; she asked the driver not to park there again and he immediately flew into a fit of rage, in which the “you’re just saying that because I’m [of X ethnicity]” card was played (she replied something to the effect “If being [of X enthnicity] compels you to park on my property, then yes, I am”. Thing is that people sometimes do and say stupid irrational things - the ‘race card’ is just one of the many varieties of stupid, but for some reason, it stands out as if it is special. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/22 "2004-03-31T13:14:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Some people follow stricter dietary guidelines than others. For some, it’s ok that something in our cold table may have come into contact with crab or pork at some point in the distant past, and has since been thoroughly washed and sanitized. If it isn’t ok, then we welcome you to try the halal restaurant down the street, or the Jewish deli across from us. Of course, if that ain’t enough for them, they probably can’t eat or breathe anything at all. better not inhale meat fumes. ^^! ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/23 "2004-03-31T13:33:37Z")
A day after wise-ass retort comes to mind: Assholes are pink on the inside. If you don’t believe me, the Goatse tribute pages will demonstrate it for you. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/24 "2004-03-31T22:35:56Z")
> [@Obsidian Flutterby](#): > > DDR is Dance Dance Revolution… essentially a big videogame where to beat it you have to dance and hit the arrows at the right time. It’s a bit of a feat at the higher levels and quite an exertion. Thanks, **Obsidian Flutterby**. Boy, **ValleyGirl** is only 2 months old, and I’m already turning into a clueless, unhip parent. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/25 "2004-03-31T23:49:16Z")
I was once bringing my then-13yo brother to an arena football game in New Orleans. We were on our way into the Superdome when we were targeted by a ticket scalper. Well, technically he wasn’t scalping, since he was just trying to unload tickets at their face value, but he was very aggressive and in my face. We already had tickets, and I wasn’t about to pay for another set even if they were better seats. Finally, I had to practically yell at him, “No, we’re not interested!” I got the “Oh, it’s because I’m black… I get it… you’re a big racist!” Um, maybe it’s because I already have tickets, dumbass? My brother found it all very amusing since I happened to be in a serious relationship with someone at the time, who (you guessed it) happened to be black. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/26 "2004-04-01T05:23:35Z")
> [@Hosayf](#): > > Reminds of an event at my school yesterday. Some friends and I were working on an assignment for our journalism class in the library. Nearby there was a group of mostly black students chatting (note that this is a high school library, and as long as people are fairly quiet, they are allowed to socialize). > > This group was being quiet, and the noise was at its usual level, but then one member of the group became loud and obnoxious. The librarian warned him to keep it down, and he did for maybe 45 seconds. Then he became loud again and was again asked a bit more firmly to be quiet. > > Again, after a very short period of time, he becomes loud, and when the librarian finally asks him to leave, he stands up to go, and says, “it’s because I’m black, ain’t it?” Librarian just looks at him, so he feels he must repeat his argument. At this point she informs him that she is not inclined **to "even dignify** that with a response." > > I’m glad I had the good sense to keep my mouth shut when I really wanted to say, “no, it’s because you’re an asshole.” I glanced around as he was leaving–almost everyone’s jaw was on the floor, including his companions who had not been asked to leave. Bolding mine. :eek: Your school librarian split an infinitive?! :eek: Anyway, I hear the phrase “race card,” and I imagine an actual card (the race of spades?) The back looks like a standard playing card, and the front says: > [@](#): > > RACE > > It’s because I’m \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, isn’t isn’t it? > (Please fill in the blank with your race/ethnicity.) > Warning: overuse of this card may discourage others from taking you seriously. Use sparingly. Is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/27 "2004-04-01T05:46:50Z")
> [@LilyoftheValley](#): > > Thanks, **Obsidian Flutterby**. Boy, **ValleyGirl** is only 2 months old, and I’m already turning into a clueless, unhip parent. ☹ It’s okay, the only reason I even know what it is is because I had friends who if you went to Playdium with them (which I went to rarely) they would spend hours and LOTS of money on DDR, to the extent that they didn’t even eat because they were so engrossed in it and they had spent all their money. ---
**Author:** ![litost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@litost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/litost)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/28 "2004-04-01T06:29:08Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Underneath I feel kind of sorry for people like that, because I bet they really **have** had to deal with unpleasant discrimination at times (much more than I have, certainly), which is totally unfair. But hey, mister, most of the people in your same ethnic group have had to deal with the exact same problem **without** letting themselves become paranoid and obnoxious about it, okay? Grow a spine, and a brain, and learn the difference between genuine racism and the ordinary random unfairnesses of everyday life. I think you hit the nail on the head. Some of these people encounter racism in some instances and their defense mechanism goes on heightened alert. After this, it becomes a us vs. them mentality and they start picking up vibes that just may not exist. I feel sorry to see them pull out the race card because I can understand where it might be coming from. Either this, or they are really full-fledged assholes. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/29 "2004-04-01T11:38:08Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > Anyway, I hear the phrase “race card,” and I imagine an actual card (the race of spades?) The back looks like a standard playing card, and the front says: > > Is it just me? I don’t know if it’s just you. I think a Magic card (unoffical, of course) that was the “Race card” would be hilarious. You pull it as an instant and automatically win the game or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/30 "2004-04-01T13:40:30Z")
> [@litost](#): > > I think you hit the nail on the head. Some of these people encounter racism in some instances and their defense mechanism goes on heightened alert. After this, it becomes a us vs. them mentality and they start picking up vibes that just may not exist … Either this, or they are really full-fledged assholes. The asshole explanation is the more likely one. It’s just too convenient an excuse to blame (insert appropriate form of prejudice here) when somebody does or says something you don’t like, or to rationalize one’s own personal failings. And it’s not just minorities who do it. I’ve got a cousin who can’t hold down a job, and every time he gets fired, he starts pissing and moaning about how “the Jews give all the jobs to the blacks.” (Well, actually, he uses another word besides “black.”) Just about everybody in the family has tried to tell him that his real problem is his out-of-control drinking. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/31 "2004-04-01T13:53:00Z")
I was confronted with a not at all similar situation at work the other day. This guy said to me, “You just don’t like me because I’m an accountant.” Well, yeah, that’s actually pretty much my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/32 "2004-04-01T14:03:51Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I don’t know if it’s just you. I think a Magic card (unoffical, of course) that was the “Race card” would be hilarious. You pull it as an instant and automatically win the game or something like that. I imagine it would require one of each mana except white, and the caster must control no white permanents. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/33 "2004-04-01T14:05:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Your school librarian split an infinitive?! Why not? That old myth about infinitives not being allowed to be split is baloney, as is just about everything anyone ever learned in elementary school. And what about the “gay” card? Can I be a snivelly little whiner and pull that? I wanna be a victim and have no responsibility for my actions either, waaahh! ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/34 "2004-04-01T14:27:28Z")
> [@laigle](#): > > … he still needed a good swift kick in the nuts to drag him back into cold, unfeeling reality where your problems are of concern to nobody but yourself, but still. Actually, if that was true, well, we wouldn’t be here would we? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/35 "2004-04-01T14:58:33Z")
Is the bacon at Subway even made out of pork? Everything else they use seems to be made of turkey so them serving turkey bacon is not too farfetched. ---
**Author:** ![htns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@htns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/htns)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/36 "2004-04-01T16:07:06Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > Chicken! What a turkey. 😃 Seriously, though, haven’t these people ever read the story of the boy who cried wolf? Enough false alarms like that, and eventually VALID complaints of discrimination get ignored simply because the signal-to-noise ratio is so high. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/37 "2004-04-01T16:15:54Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > And what about the “gay” card? Can I be a snivelly little whiner and pull that? I wanna be a victim and have no responsibility for my actions either, waaahh! Brings up an interresting memory. When I was in highschool, I hate to admit it, but I was a major homophobe. Meeting certain people and getting away from my community that summer helped me turn my views around (thankfully). The timing was particularly good as, when in college the next fall, I met a guy who was a total asshat who _would_ pull the ‘gay’ card. He’d do something completely fucking annoying or just mean-spirited, and if you called him on it, he’d simply say, “You’re just saying that cos I’m gay.” Pissed me off to no end. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/38 "2004-04-01T17:20:09Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Is the bacon at Subway even made out of pork? Everything else they use seems to be made of turkey so them serving turkey bacon is not too farfetched. Yes, it’s pork. It’s J.M. Schneider brand, as are our grilled chicken breasts. I don’t know what makes you think “everything we serve” is made of turkey. Our ham is not turkey and our seafood isn’t turkey (of course, it’s hardly real crab either, but whatever) and our VeggieMax soy patties sure as hell aren’t turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Ottoerotic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6de8d8/32.png) [@Ottoerotic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ottoerotic)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/39 "2004-04-01T17:35:04Z")
I feel your pain guys, I used to work at a grocery store in a predominantly white neighborhood. One night around 2 A.M. a guy came into the store dressed like a bum and reeking of pot, and as it were happened to be black. He took a walk around the entire store then approached the register and bought a $0.50 pack of gum. I totaled the order and he paid with a $100.00 bill. I ran the counterfeit pen over it and put it in the drawer (I didn’t even follow full proceedure and check for a water-mark or security strip) and proceeded to give him his change back. This asshole went completely ape-shit on me for testing his bill, saying that I was only doing it because he was black. I tried explaining to him that it was early, and that he made a small purchase with a large bill, and it was store policy (even to check $20’s) He continued yelling about what a white racist mother-F\*cker I was and how he didn’t have to take this shit. So I told him that if he didn’t like it then he should shop somewhere else, because he wouldn’t be missed here, and I asked him if he would have said anything if I had been a black boy, because I don’t think that _I’m_ the racist one here. Big mistake which eventually ended up costing me my job. But on the upside the guy started yelling at my manager about our “racist” policies instead of at me, so it wasn’t all bad. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448/40 "2004-04-01T18:01:42Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > I was confronted with a not at all similar situation at work the other day. This guy said to me, “You just don’t like me because I’m an accountant.” > > Well, yeah, that’s actually pretty much my problem. MATHIST! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-thats-what-the-race-card-looks-like/237448.md?page=3)