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Nov. 22, 2005 One of the most damaging and divisive labels in the black community is that of being an “Uncle Tom.” Another word for “Tom” is Oreo, meaning that like the cookie of the same name, the person is black on the outside, “white” inside. An example is the so-called “brotha” in the group Thompson Twins, who once said in a Rolling Stone interview, “Me skin is black, mate, but me mind is white, man.” Bryant Gumbel is considered a tom. But is it because he speaks proper English and dates white women exclusively? If so, why does this make him a “tom”? Doesn’t he have any redeeming qualities? The same is said of Montel Williams and Whoopi Goldberg. If these people are “Toms”, we need to ask “Why?” There is a book titled “The Directory of Certified Uncle Toms.” Some of the prominent names mentioned in the book are Bill Cosby, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Star Jones, Clarence Thomas, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey and a few surprises such as the Wayans Brothers, Ice Cube and Shaquille O’Neal. This caused me to ponder what constitutes being an Uncle Tom and more important, what message are we sending our children by applying this message to prominent blacks? Oftentimes black kids are ridiculed for speaking proper English, getting good grades and participating in science projects and whatnot. Many of these kids are ostracized for “acting white.” (This is not a new phenomenon, as I endured this same sort of thing when I attended grade school and intermediate school in the 60’s and 70’s). Have we regressed so much that the things our forefathers fought for—academic achievement and economic empowerment—are now considered passé, or unimportant? Take a prominent black person appears to be an apologist for a white politician who appears to be anti-black. Is this individual worse—that is, more of a Tom than say a drug dealer—who is poisoning members of the black community? What about gangbangers who shoot other blacks over “turf”, “colors” and girlies? The contradictory mantra is “get paid”, but at what cost? Colin Powell is getting paid, but is considered a “Tom.” At the same time, 50 Cent and other rappers are considered icons, yet they consistently threaten to harm other brothas. I’ll be the first to admit that blacks who represent negative images in the media as buffoons and who are nothing more than high-paid lickspittles should be ostracized. (See “Soul Plane,” “How High,” “I Got The Hook Up,” “Urban Menace”, etc.) The author of the directory, Richard Laurence, does just that. He is doing more than playing the dozens in print and not just dissin’ the black elite. This book seeks to define behavior that the author believes the black community would be wise to reject. While I agree with a lot of the names on the list, it is not because they are well to do or married to persons of a lighter hue. The book calls out many of the black upper crust who refuse to come to the hood unless pandering for votes, a photo op, or selling a book or other merchandise. (I agree that these “pimps” are Toms). But many blacks listed in this directory contribute to causes that impact directly upon the lives of many ghetto denizens. So if their benevolence outweighs their “bad points”, why are they considered “Toms”? One of the things that I think makes one an Uncle Tom is when they present media images that are demeaning to black people and show an aloofness about that behavior; claiming “I’m just getting paid!” (Red and Method Man come to mind, as does Tyler Perry whose “Medea” films are nothing more than a reincarnation of the minstrel show). I also consider it tomming when one articulates opinions that the overwhelming majority of blacks reject. (Ward Connerly, white America’s favorite Negro parrot comes to mind). Terri McMillan would fall into this category. Her message to sisters is “We don’t need men; we need to find comfort in each other,” which is blatant B.S. and in my book borders on promoting lesbianism. While I know a lot of blacks who date whites—and many do because they are essentially running away from the ‘hood—interracial marriage in itself does not make one a Tom. There are plenty of black people married to whites who do mind-boggling and much appreciated works in the black community. One black woman wrote, “(This list) makes it look like we praise ignorance poverty and apathy.” Vincent Thomas of Washington, D.C. wrote, “The American Directory of Certified Uncle Toms is a well documented, scholarly, and witty critique of the most stridently Eurocentric elements of the Black community. The book clearly distinguishes between "enlightened Black interests"( economic, political and creative self-determination) and the practices of Black Eurocentrists (undermining grassroots Black leadership, justifying the suppressive status quo, portraying our pathologies for financial gain, and minimal accountability to legitimate Black constituencies). Finally, we have a publication that takes on white liberalism, Black conservatism, pathological classism in our community, and an inordinate Zionist influence (the part where Ron Dellums was forced to have a family meeting because of a potential political backlash is particularly telling). While I may not agree with all entries, this book is essential in its value to Black people whether they like or not.” The term Uncle Tom has usually been applied to subservient black men who did white people’s bidding, or who served whites loyally regardless of how badly he was treated. It is oftentimes a relationship between blacks and whites where the black person accepts the brutal and/or condescending manner in which white people treat him. The term is also applied to snitches. The phrase comes from a character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 19th century novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” He was a “Negro” who put his master’s wishes and life before his own. Females fitting this description are sometimes called “Aunt Jemima” after the kerchief wearing picture on the front of the pancake box. O/J. Simpson is a Tom. From day one he ran from the ‘hood as fast as his 4.3 speed could carry him. Michael Jackson is trying this damndest to be white and his actions are self-explanatory. Editor of The New African, Louis Clayton Jones defines what he calls ‘Tthe Uncle Tom dilemma: “[It is] the dilemma faced by every relatively intelligent Negro who chooses a career in government or in a profession . . . in which one's living is made in the implementation and facilitation of the programs, policies, and practices of an economic, political, educational, criminal justice, and cultural model—the effects of which are the decimation of one's race. The dilemma is compounded when the relatively conscious Negro, who understands the dilemma, learns that his or her 'success,' in the view of the oppressed and the oppressor, is defined by the skill with which the Negro adapts to the oppressive system and masters its subtleties and peculiarities." While several people in the directory fit that profile, the book boils down to being the opinion of two writers. Meanwhile, the issue merits considerable debate. For now it seems to be a matter of personal preference. ------------ About the author: Timothy Stelly is a 46-year old California native with a wide variety of interests-from fishing to politics, which have a lot in common: Both require you to deal with worms and most of your time is spent idling. He is a former Democrat, believing that Party represents outdated ideas. He is officially registered as an Independent, choosing to keep his options open. Timothy is also the author of more than 80 screenplays and novels, two of which have been "published": "Tempest In The Stone" and "The Malice Of Cain", both available through PublishAmerica. He defines his writing style as "Hip-hop fiction; a cross between Richard Pryor and Richard Wright." His UK columns is written in a hard-edged style, but he is not yet a curmudgeon or a conservative. (Is that redundant?) After all, one of his favorite movies is "The Adventures of Milo and Otis." stellbread0.tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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