The race card: Frequently used among South Africans from all backgrounds to express their disapproval in an argument, debate or discussion with a person from another race. The race-card is usually flashed in case of significant or arbitrary differences of opinion between one or more individuals. The object exists in various shapes, sizes and, of course, colours — however, the most commonly used versions are black, white and coloured.
“That is so typical of you white women,” an acquaintance wrote in an email after I inquired about his Facebook status, which stated “We have been robbed”. Not aware of the fact that “his” football team had just lost (was robbed of) the cup to another — I am far from a football fan — I asked my friend if he was OK. “You whities read the word robbed and you immediately think the worst,” was his reply. No “thanks for being concerned”, no “thanks for emailing but I am fine”. Nothing like that. The fact that I do not follow football was irrelevant, in contrary to my whiteness.
A few weeks ago, during a discussion regarding Zimbabwe, I asked someone about the real reasons and their opinions why Thabo Mbeki remains oh-so-quiet about Zim. The reply of a pretty girl with a ditto smile was simply: “You are white; you wouldn’t understand.”
Also on Thought Leader, readers have judged my writings and theories based on the lack of pigment in my skin. “This article would have been relevant if you weren’t white,” was one of the replies on my previous post on Zimbabwe.
Do not worry, please; I do not feel sorry for myself and luckily I do not have to carry a chip around. Thank God or whoever. I am just a bit puzzled. And annoyed, yes. Nevertheless, I am fully aware that this race-card flashing is not some conspiracy against me specifically, the pale segment of society in general, or anyone else in particular, as I am certain that 99% of South Africans — regardless of colour — have been shown the race card. How often I haven’t heard “That is such a black thing to do”, “Gosh, that is what you get when you are seeing a coloured girl”, “These Indians, they are so …”, “Ag, you blacks, what do you know?”, “Don’t be so coloured” or “That is so typical to say for an Indian” …
The point I want to make is just the following: if you can’t win or perform during an argument or debate, simply because you are verbally not strong enough, rather say nothing instead of shouting “That is such a black/coloured/Indian/white to say!” If, during a discussion, you want to make a point but you are not sure what the content should be, maybe you should give silence a go instead of building your argument on someone’s level of pigmentation. I mean, seriously, why assume or say that someone would not be able to understand a topic because of his or her exterior color? Since when do we think with our epidermis and no longer with our brain?
To keep a long story short: this needless and constant flashing of race cards is intensely boring and annoying. In my opinion, it goes against everything the new post-apartheid South Africa stands for.
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