Y'all need to stop playing the card card.

[rodeodance]

Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject Y'all need to stop playing the card card.
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4139312#4139312
4139312, Y'all need to stop playing the card card.
Posted by rucky on Mon Jan-21-08 09:15 AM

We're on the verge of nominating a woman or a black man, so naturally the topics of race and gender are going to come up. They're not "cards" - they're issues. And depending on how we address these issues, the history that the Democratic Party is about to make can either bring this country to a better understanding about racial and gender equality, or it can devolve and divide us.

Even after Civil Rights. Even after the ERA. America has yet to honestly address these issues as they exist today. We've mostly accepted de jure protection of the law, which is a major step forward. But the progressive community has been largely quiet about de facto discrimination, and only focus on the most overt cases. Meanwhile, most discrimination has gone underground, couched in classism. We've conveniently ignored the existing inequalities, and in a state of denial that we've won the struggle, we shout down anything that rocks the boat and sheds light on the fact that we still have a ways to go. We dismiss it by calling it reactionary, and "playing a card."

On the other side of the coin, we see people use accusations of racism and sexism dishonestly - as a way to gain the upper-hand in a debate. If you REALLY are concerned about racist/sexist attitudes and language, you will not be accusatory in your tone. Based on people's personal experience and exposure to these issues, people have different levels of sensitivity. Those who say something insensitive deserve the benefit of the doubt, and a courteous explanation of why a statement is offensive. You will never persuade anybody through name-calling. Nobody here likes to be accused of bigotry, and if they are, their likely response will be to the effect of "screw you, then." Maybe they're just looking for a fight, but I'd like to think that most of us don't see ourselves as bigots. This is how these discussions devolve - from dishonesty on both sides of what could be a constructive and well-meaning debate.

I don't want to move backwards, but if an allegedly progressive community can't even handle an honest and respectful discussion, it's not very encouraging for the future, as this dialogue is opened up to all types of ideologies. We can use this primary as an opportunity to move forward, sensitize and educate - bring people together. But if we use it as a weapon of self-righteousness, we're causing the devisiveness, and doing the cause a great disservice.