play the race card

play the race card

To introduce the issue of racial discrimination, especially against the race one identifies as, in order to gain an advantage in or dismiss or discredit an argument. There you go playing the race card again. I don't care if you're purple—I still think it's a bad policy! I hate it when casual racists try to brush off legitimate criticism by claiming that you're just "playing the race card."
See also: card, play, race
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play the race card

Also, pull the race card. Invoking race, in particular bias for or against race, in order to achieve an end. The term dates from the late 1900s and alludes to card games, that is, playing a particular card to gain an advantage, trounce an opponent, or the like. For example, when President George H.W. Bush nominated an African American, Clarence Thomas, to the Supreme Court, some who considered Thomas poorly qualified accused Bush of playing the race card, nominating a man unlikely to be rejected lest one be accused of racism. The term is on its way to becoming a cliché.
See also: card, play, race
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • play the gender card
  • play the (something) card
  • play the card
  • race card
  • the race card
  • the (something) card
  • give (one) (one's) marching orders
  • give (one) (one's) walking papers
  • CIS
  • gender
References in periodicals archive
Speaking to a press conference after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Presidential Council meeting today, the prime minister claimed that the charter will seek to play the race card, which is dangerous for the country.
Umno-PAS charter not healthy for Malaysia as it plays on race, says Dr M
"The Democrats always play the Race Card, when in fact they have done so little for our Nation's great African American people.
Trump Doubles Down on Attacks Against Cummings, Baltimore District
Duyck answered, "If you can play the race card, I guess I can't win.
Racism looms in debate over tax hike to fund affordable housing
The 'Leave' campaign, which has been losing the economic arguments and has failed to make a breakthrough in the polls, is clearly getting desperate and has decided to play the race card. It has launched a co-ordinated campaign of lies along the lines of "the Turks are coming".
Turkey claims are spurious; Letters
He concluded by saying he preferred the "old Beyonce" who was "less inflammatory and agitating", and who "didn't play the race card so deliberately".
Jamelia hailed for Piers letter in Beyonce row; presenter sparked fury after criticising us singer's new album in column
UKIP is still generating headlines, not least at its manifesto launch where ethnic minority members jeered a journalist for trying to play the race card against the party.
Trust them to talk utter tripe
According to News.com.au, Arthur, who is seeking a four million-dollar payout or reinstatement after being axed from the side last month despite two years of his contract remaining, has been painted as a dirt-dishing, money-hungry figure prepared to play the race card to obtain massive compensation.
Clarke, Watson could be dragged to court in controversial Arthur axing case
Darren Scully, the former first citizen of Naas, Co Kildare, sparked outrage last November when he said he would ignore all requests from Africans after they were "rude, aggressive and too willing to play the race card".
RACE ROW MAYOR STAYS IN FINE GAEL
Mr Millar said: "It's a disgrace to play the race card from an organisation like this that should know better.
AWEMA CHAIRWOMAN HITS BACK AT CRITICISM
He couldn't divulge details but revealed the Brit had 'made peace' over the 'Ali G' jibe, which to many was seen as attempt by Hamilton to play the race card.
HAMILTON'S F1 QUIT THREAT
Stanford law professor Richard Thompson Ford's book The Race Card: How Bluffing about Bias Makes Race Relations Worse decries those who play the race card by claiming race discrimination when it may not really be involved.
The Race Card: How Bluffing About Bias Makes Race Relations Worse
It is disturbing that any candidate in 2008 would play the race card.
The race canard; Obama should stick to real issues
Finally to play the race card is, in my opinion, a very cheap shot, especially as Mr Ahmed said: "I don't know if there was a racial aspect as well." And for all the character witnesses that have written in I ask this, what sort of person judges their opinion on thousands of hardworking police officers on the actions of one officer who dealt with some illegal parking?
Code of conduct
Democrats never miss an opportunity to play the race card against Republicans and even black conservatives like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who dare to dissent from liberal orthodoxy.
U.S. editorial excerpts -6-