Is calling people like Michael Steele, Clarence Thomas or Alan Keyes "uncle toms" racist?

[devilgrrl]

I ask because there's a so-called "progressive" caller on "Frangela" (Randi's out today).

He was lamenting Jimmy Carter's statement when "liberals" refer to Condi Rice, etc... as such things as "Uncle Toms". I personally haven't heard these terms used toward these people publicly but I am aware that Harry Belafonte did call Colin Powell a "house n----r" but that's about it.

You tell me.

Another question. Has anyone heard these terms used publicly by liberals? I haven't and think that the caller is a troll.

[truebrit71]

1. I personally don't believe it is, but it ain't up to me as I'm a white guy...I use "token" instead..

...

[Betsy Ross]

2. Racist. n/t

[Love Bug]

3. As a White person I would never presume to judge someone on their level of Uncle Tom-ness

It's probably not a good idea to "go there" unless you, too, are African-American.

[BlooInBloo]

4. I'm happy to leave that term for black folks. I'll just call them pieces of shit.

[mdmc]

5. I think it is

I would refer to them as "Player Haters".

[shadowknows69]

16. Lol.

[mdmc]

31. should be 'playa hater'

:)

[oligarhy]

6. I would never utter those words

I am sure that it would be extremely offensive.


"wrong, out of touch"......these would all work much better.

[Laelth]

7. The term is very descriptive and quite useful.

It's not race-neutral, certainly, but I don't think that it's "racist" either. It's derogatory, but the negative connotation is associated with specific behavior, not skin color.

:dem:

-Laelth

[T Wolf]

25. Correct. Racism it is not. It is not attributing a characteristic they may or may not have

simply because they are of a specific race.

It is describing a set of behaviors and actions by use of an historical descriptive term, based on observation of the person's actions.

[Seeking Serenity]

34. But it is based on their race. Would you call a white person an "Uncle Tom"?

No, you wouldn't, because he's white, ergo, the epithet doesn't fit or would be nonsensical.

So it is racist because it is a slur applicable primarily because of the color of one's skin.

[Vincardog]

28. Bingo. I feel the same about saying some one is acting like a "House Ne*ro"

It is more a comment on their actions and attitudes than skin hue

[wtbymark]

8. racist

but what Harry called Colin is just an insult because they are of the same race

if I called someone 'trailer trash' its an insult because i'm white
if a black person calls someone 'trailer trash', it denotes racism

*given that 'trailer trash' denotes poor, uneducated, uncultured whites in a steriotypical fashion

[MUAD_DIB]

27. Does "trailer trash" denote race?

[HopeHoops]

9. "Uncle Tom" is a wonderful character, however...

the term has a profoundly racist overtone, not much different from "Oreo". It is not productive to invoke it.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. I do not think it is racist

[TexasObserver]

11. If the speaker is black, I can find it acceptable.

If blacks use the terms "Uncle Tom" and "House Negro" among blacks to describe other blacks, that's probably a valid descriptor, but it's not for anyone but blacks to use, IMO.

[Duke Newcombe]

18. If the speaker is human, I consider it unacceptable.

As an African-American, I consider it a highly offensive term that needs to go into the dustbin of history. Are we so bankrupt of language that we can't describe how horribly, terribly misguided and plain wrong these folks are without THAT chestnut?

[TexasObserver]

20. You can take up your objections with blacks who use it.

And BTW, I never liked your shows, Mr. Cosby.

[EOTE]

23. LOL.

Now come on, while Fat Albert may have been a bit lacking, The Cosby Show was usually pretty solid.

[MineralMan]

12. I'd never use the term. I prefer Reactionary Morons, myself,

as a label for that trio.

[treestar]

13. It doesn't sit right with me

I don't think it should be used.

That said, Condi, Steele and Keyes are idiots. And I'm white, and I just called three black people idiots. But I swear it had nothing to do with being AA. It had to do with being Republicans and supporting that *&^^* Bush. I hope that is allowed (or that all flack comes from those who don't like the term "idiot.")

[Cant trust em]

14. I don't think it's up to white people to say which black people are black enough.

This is not my purview.

[shadowknows69]

15. Didn't Harry Belafonte call Powell a "House N****r" on CNN once?

ETA: Not saying that makes it cool for me to do, but he seemed to feel strongly about it.

[devilgrrl]

19. Yes. I mentioned it in the OP

eom

[Carl Skan]

17. It's as racist as the other "code words"

[jpljr77]

21. Rule of thumb: If you have to ask...then it is. n/t

[Romulox]

22. What's your term for mercenary white people?

:shrug:

[HamdenRice]

24. If you're not black, yes. If you are, no

And many, many groups have "in words," not just African Americans. I remember two South African-Indian friends getting in a fist fight in Durban around 1989, and calling each other Chaddah. I had never heard the word before and later they said it's a word only they can use to insult each other.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

26. Is calling a jew who supports antisemitism a "self-hating jew" antisemitic?

:crazy:

"Uncle Tom's" a literary character. He's a black men who helps white racists mistreat black people.

Is calling a black man who helps white racists mistreat black people inherently racist? I'd say no. It's a literary allusion.

[butterfly77]

29. No.

[OHdem10]

30. It sounds racist.

[ampad]

32. Nope

However, if it makes some people feel better, I will start calling them Uncle Ruckus. I do not think Uncle Ruckus would be offended.

[Canuckistanian]

33. To me, it's an insult, but not a racial slur

It's one of those terms used by blacks themselves to describe someone who's TOO subservient to whites.

Am I wrong?

[WillowTree]

35. Yes.