Uncle Tom is a pejorative for an African American who is perceived by others as behaving in a subservient manner to White American authority figures, or as seeking ingratiation with them by way of unnecessary accommodation. The term Uncle Tom comes from the title character of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, although there is debate over whether the character himself is deserving of the pejorative attributed to him.[1] It is commonly used to describe black people whose political views or allegiances are considered by their critics as detrimental to blacks as a group.
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Other terms with the same meaning
A more offensive term with the same meaning is house nigger (as contrasted with field workers from the days of slavery). In 2002, actor/singer Harry Belafonte used a variation of the term, White House nigger, to characterize certain political figures.[2] Native Americans in the United States sometimes will use the term Uncle Tomahawk. Similarly, Mexicans in the US may be referred to as "tio taco" or "tia taco" (from tío / tía, Spanish for uncle / aunt). A similar term for black people is Oreo, implying that one is black on the outside but white on the inside. This also applies to the terms coconut or Bounty. Sometimes, women are called Aunt Jemima after the popular pancake mix that long depicted a kerchief-headed family cook of that name. These terms are considered offensive.
Notable controversial users
In the 2007 Philadelphia mayor's race, Democratic hopeful Milton Street called fellow candidate Michael A. Nutter a "Watermelon Man" after a 1970 movie where a white man becomes black.[3] During a 1995 game between the New Jersey Nets and the Utah Jazz, Nets' forward Derrick Coleman called Jazz's Karl Malone an Uncle Tom. [4] [5] During The Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav Comedian Jeffrey Ross suggested Uncle Tom as a nickname for Flavor Flav.
See also
References
- ^ A New Look at 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', The Tavis Smiley Show, November 29, 2002.
- ^ Ronald Radosh. "Harry's Hatreds", New York Post, 2002-10-24. Retrieved on 2007-01-06.
- ^ Mark McDonald. "Milt (yep, that Milt) eyes mayoral tilt", Philadelphia Daily News, 2007-02-16. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ "New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Coleman calls Utah Jazz's forwards Karl Malone an Uncle Tom", Jet, 1995-04-03. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.
- ^ Mike Wise. "PRO BASKETBALL; Coleman Speaks, And Beard Cringes", New York Times, 1995-03-17, p. Section B, Page 15. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.
- (1969) in Osofsky, Gilbert: Puttin' On Ole Massa: The Slave Narratives of Henry Bibb, William Wells Brown, and Solomon Northup. Harper & Row. ASIN B0006BZ59E.
