The correct answer is, what the author means when he says that American conversation about race has become “as bloodless as badminton” is the following.
Some time ago, when people were having a conversation about race, it usually ended in arguing with considerable differences and created problems. The issue was delicate and people knew that the discussion could end up in problems. Now, everybody talks about race so lightly, in simple terms, without strong arguments that what used to be a difficult and serious conversation, now has no more consequences and is part of a natural conversation. Like a badminton game, nobody gets hurt.
