Play the white man
Play the white man is a term used in parts of Britain meaning to be decent and trustworthy in one's actions.[citation needed] The similar American expression is "that's mighty white of you" with the meaning of "thank you for being fair".[1]
The origin of the phrase is obscure. The colour white has long been associated with purity and virtue in English culture, but the racial sense of the expression may refer more explicitly to the administrators and soldiers of the 18th, 19th and 20th-century British Empire.
In black culture
In the 1960s or before, the phrase "mighty white of you" was used by black Americans to patronise white people, without them knowing any better. The phrase was targeted at white people who wished to appear charitable towards black people, but whose actions did very little to alleviate the terrible conditions in black communities. As such, the insult is doubly cutting, sarcastic and meant to insult white people deemed as self-righteous. The phrase is similar to "bless your heart"- it's not a positive statement because it conveys pity for the recipient.
In popular culture
In the movie "Bringing Up Baby" (1938), Cary Grant uses the phrase "that's pretty white of Mr. Peabody." In this sense it meant as being noble. Hence the biting effect when it's expressed by black people in reference to direct or indirect racist actions by white people.
Television
- An episode of Coronation Street in July 2013 featured the expression as a plot point. Paul Kershaw (Tony Hirst) uses the phrase during a game of darts at the local pub as is promptly accused of racism by Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles). Lloyd is joined by his friends but both men refuse to back down, due to differing thoughts of the phrase's connotations.[2]
- In the Showtime original series Californication, the character Hank Moody (David Duchovny) uses the phrase regularly.
Film
- In the Spike Lee film, She's Gotta Have It (1986), Jamie uses the phrase "that's mighty black of you." In this sense, it means courteous. Hence the reverse meaning of play the white man.
See also
References
- ^ Smitherman, G (2006). Words and Expressions, Proverbs and Familiar Sayings. Word from the mother (pp. 45). Routledge: New York.
- ^ Coronation Street July 12 2013
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