Overplaying the Race Card

Barry Bonds will soon pass Babe Ruth on the all-time homerun leader list. He may even pass Henry Aaron for the all-time homerun record. A lot of people don't want Bonds to break these records and many others think that this is because people don't want to see an African- American pass Babe Ruth. This is an example of the frequent overplaying of the race card; the insinuation that racial discrimination is behind every negative opinion that the public holds about people of color. In Bonds' case, the actual reasons for the public's negative feelings toward him breaking homerun record are simple and twofold. First, Barry is a jerk. He has never treated the game, the fans, the sports press, or his teammates very well. Second, he cheated and he lied about it. No one believes that he didn't know what "the cream and the clear" were. He knew, he cheated and he continues to deny it. His defenders ask, "Well, what about McGuire?" insinuating that the white guy wasn't treated equally. The fact is that the public did not know about the extensive steroid use at the time McGuire was playing. Since then, McGuire, Sosa, and Palmeiro have been exposed as steroid users, and they have faded from the game and public admiration. Bonds is still around, arrogant as ever.

The recent immigration controversy has also exposed overplay of the race card. Many who do not approve of amnesty for illegal aliens are accused of racism. Which part of "illegal" do their accusers not understand? Most of those who disapprove of amnesty simply want the laws of the country obeyed by everyone, no matter their race. No one has claimed that those who entered the country LEGALLY should be denied anything! The issue is the law, not race.

This country largely affords anyone the opportunity to achieve some form of success through hard work and perseverance. Is it a perfect system? No. Is the country free of racism? Hell no, and when racism is practiced it should be exposed and combated with everything we have. However, playing the race card when it is not appropriate to the situation weakens our society and weakens the resolve that we have to fight against actual prejudice and discrimination. Those who use race to excuse bad behavior and slander their critics as racist do a disservice to those who only ask for a fair chance to live and succeed in America. No one should ever defend someone who is using race as a defense for lying, cheating, or breaking the law. It really is that simple.