Uncle Tom
Meaning
A derogatory term for a Black person perceived as being overly servile or deferential to white people, especially one who betrays their own race's interests for personal gain or acceptance.
Origin
The phrase originates from Harriet Beecher Stowe's influential 1852 anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. In the book, Uncle Tom is portrayed as a dignified, devoutly Christian enslaved man who suffers greatly but maintains his moral integrity and ultimately dies a martyr. However, over time, particularly through racist minstrel shows and later interpretations that stripped away his initial heroic qualities, the character's image was twisted. He became caricatured as a submissive, cowering figure who passively accepted his lot and even aided his oppressors, transforming the name into a pejorative label for a Black person perceived as subservient or betraying their own community's interests.
Examples
- Some protestors called the politician an Uncle Tom for his stance on racial issues, arguing he was too eager to please the establishment.
- The community leader was criticized for being an Uncle Tom after she seemed to prioritize the comfort of the dominant group over the needs of her own people.