A character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Considered by many to be one of the most important heros of western literature of the 19th century.

Derogatory Slang: a black person complacent about the advantages held by whites.

Far from being used to describe someone who is "complacent about the advantages held by whites," this term is used as a vicious attack against black people who don't think violence is an appropriate solution to racism. Louis Armstrong, for example, was labeled an Uncle Tom and treated just downright pitifully by the radicals because of his stance on violence. Those who know something of his life realize that it would be hard to find a more caring and decent human being on the face of the planet. And yet, they remained relentless in their cruelty. And let's not forget their similar treatment of Dr. Martin Luther King either.

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