Why are black conservatives often called "uncle tom's" by other blacks?

Question

Isn't this offensive to all blacks? Why is there an intollerance in the black community for different opinions? Also, why are these black conservatives acceptable targets for racism by both, the white and black communities? Who defends them against hateful remarks?

yes, i know the book. i know where the reference comes from, but the question was really about why people would say such racist things towards each other. not what the comment means.

Answer 1

Because the "other blacks" never finished grade school, and are currently milking the system! Where as the "Uncle Tom's", are living life like the rest of us. You know, pay your own bill's, instead of making the Government pay there bills for them. This is exactly what The Democrats want, is more people to be dependent on the Government, so they can further there agenda and get more malcontents to vote for them.

Answer 2

Contrary to the uneducated responses about Black democrats, most of them are not poor or milking the system. This is a myth created by racists using junk facts. In the 2003 census report, the median income for black families was $30,000. The poverty rate was 24.4%.

I am ultra-liberal on some issues and ultra-conservative on others. I am in favor of abortion, I believe people should have the right to own firearms to defend themselves and I believe that the welfare system should be revamped because it is nothing more than a trap. While I believe that everyone should be entitled to their own opinion, I think it depends on what said black person stands for that I may raise an eyebrow. If the person is against affirmative action yet does not offer a better solution while denying there is still discrimination in 2007, then yeah, I'd be concerned.

Answer 3

The reason that they are called Uncle Tom's, is because of the book by Harriet Beecher Stowe, and the fact that the Black man did the white man's bidding, in the book. Most often the Conservatives are called the Affluent white mans party. So they think that a Black Republican is just cow-towing to the White man.

Answer 4

The reason most non conservatives believe that black conservatives are uncle tom's is because they don't want anyone to believe that a person of color can be successful without government interference. Also they believe that to become successful you need a leg up through government subsidies or some other "give away" program.

Answer 5

Its purely a social and economic status, that have caused disruptions within the African-American communities. In reference to the views of obtaining success. They have surely missed their mark when fingering these successful African-American businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Because today's successful African-American(or what they may want to call "uncle toms", I disagree with that term wholeheartedly. I am married to a beautiful African-American successful woman) businessmen, politicians, entrepreneurs, and so on, are definitely making an impact in society at all levels. And will leave a positive history back for the African-American community to embrace and take advantage of. Hopefully African-Americans will past this name calling and see it for what it is, SUCCESS!

The majority of the source for this type of explosive charge against successful African-Americans, are sadly induced to the community through church services. The leadership of some churches will lead these attacks, due to political favors or differing views, financial support they feel is owed to the community, personal level difference's. And that is sad that they subject others to support their feelings and actions because of their own ways.

Answer 6

I assume you have heard of the famous book "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which this undoubtebly refers to. I don't think that its a matter of hate, so much as some people thinking that someone of a certain race should act a certain way. It's like Jews assuming all other Jews support Israel, which I can personally testify is false.

Answer 7

Many African-Americans use this term for "black conservatives" for some very specific reasons. And while I don't buy the name-calling, the reasons behind it are valid.

First of all, we're talking about two different kinds of "conservative"--many blacks are very conservative when it comes to family values, religion, etc. But the reality is that in the political arena, the conservatives (I.e. the GOP) remains at best indifferent to racism--and many in the GOP continue to be (covertly) racist. The African-Americans who have joined--and made careers out of--being "conservative blacks" have done so at the price of turning a blind eye to this--and the rest of the black community quite understandably resents this. The regard thes individuals as having betrayed their fellow African-Americans--and consider them to be hypocrites as well.

Answer 8

I think it hearkens back to slavery and immediate post slavery days. "Uncle Tom" being a Black person more concerned with staying alright with Whites than what other Blacks would think of him/her. I don't know if it is that we are intolerant of different opinions, we just have a hard time stomaching one of our own who will not acknowledge the reality of many, many, many, many, Black people who are the rule and not the exception. I think when it is other Black people criticizing Blacks, it's prejudice not racism.

Answer 9

You know its funny you would say that because it is true, if you are to proper your selling out, if your are to loud and roudy you give blacks a bad name, we as black people need to come out of that we should want to see other blacks do good and want to see them do things we once were not aloud to do and who cares if you think there selling out you just mad cause they where you wish you were and if anything you should want to be where they at and not putting them down. I say the more we see our people do good the better off we will be. Oh yeah and to yall dumb a**** stop hating cause it sure aint proper or not selling out to be talking crazy about your own kind.

Answer 10

The "Uncle Toms" seem to remember who freed the slaves and who helped push the civil rights bills through congress......the others just seem to want more and more social freebies handed out by the Democratic Party.