Uncle Thomas

[thraashman]

You and nehalem are taking my comment way too seriously. It was just a pithy remark.. nothing more.

No, I wasn't taking it seriously, hence the Spiderman reference. Guess it shows my nerd roots that I was thinking Spiderman's uncle instead of rice brand.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It doesn't matter if the term is applicable or not, and even if the term isn't technically racist, it is highly offensive. It is just as offensive as calling Clarence the "n-word."

No, it is not "highly offensive" if you just track what it actually means. It is in no way fungible with using the N word. Ryan's tweet essentially just said, not without justification, that Clarence Thomas is "a black who is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)." Personally I would not use that term as a white person, but I don't see it as racist, and certainly not in this context.

 

[justoh]

Whatever. I have a chicken and egg question. Is one required to lose one's critical thinking abilities to become a Republican sock puppet, or is it a lack of critical thinking abilities that leads one to become a Republican sock puppet? Inquiring minds want to know.

It's obviously the latter.

Also, a racist is someone who believes in the inherent superiority of a particular race, which has no basis in science (just like religion - which is why it's unsurprising that most bonefide racists are religious and republican). If this person accepts the generally agreed upon fact, then he can say absolutely anything he likes, and it wouldn't make him a racist. That's the test, not mere utterances containing an element of race.

 

[dank69]

No, it is not "highly offensive" if you just track what it actually means. It is in no way fungible with using the N word. Ryan's tweet essentially just said, not without justification, that Clarence Thomas is "a black who is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)." Personally I would not use that term as a white person, but I don't see it as racist, and certainly not in this context.

Yes. It absolutely is. He is basically accusing him of not being a good black person. Accusing him of not being proud of his race. If you don't see that as being offensive, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Yes. It absolutely is. He is basically accusing him of not being a good black person. Accusing him of not being proud of his race. If you don't see that as being offensive, I don't know what to tell you.

You are reading things into this that have nothing to do with the definition of the term "Uncle Tom" which you yourself quoted. Saying that a black person "is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)" is not the same as saying he is not "proud of his race."

Moreover, since when is "accusing someone of not being proud of his race" the same as saying he is not a good member of his race? I am not proud of being white - it seems absurd to be proud of being born a particular color - but that doesn't mean I can't be a "good white person." I certainly would not be offended if someone accused me of "not being proud of my race" - it would, in fact, be a totally accurate statement.

 

[dank69]

You are reading things into this that have nothing to do with the definition of the term "Uncle Tom" which you yourself quoted. Saying that a black person "is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)" is not the same as saying he is not "proud of his race."

The term has multiple connotations, not just the first definition I listed. I only listed that one to point out that it is a racially based term. "Uncle Tom" is used to mean all the things I listed and more.

Moreover, since when is "accusing someone of not being proud of his race" the same as saying he is not a good member of his race? I am not proud of being white - it seems absurd to be proud of being born a particular color - but that doesn't mean I can't be a "good white person." I certainly would not be offended if someone accused me of "not being proud of my race" - it would, in fact, be a totally accurate statement.

That's because white people were never viewed as inferior by most of the global population. If you were, you would know what it is like to have to make the choice between being ashamed of what you are vs. proud of what you are despite what everyone else thinks.

 

[justoh]

The term has multiple connotations, not just the first definition I listed. I only listed that one to point out that it is a racially based term. "Uncle Tom" is used to mean all the things I listed and more.

That's because white people were never viewed as inferior by most of the global population. If you were, you would know what it is like to have to make the choice between being ashamed of what you are vs. proud of what you are despite what everyone else thinks.

And it's clear in what way he was using it. Until very recently, Thomas hadn't spoken up or asked any questions during any oral argument in over a decade, and this year he basically just made a very bad joke. And he always follows the other conservative justices. And he has never ever said anything remotely intelligent or made any compelling arguments of his own. Of course he's an uncle tom in some ironic, non racist sense. This PC bullshit is even more irritating than religion.

 

[IronWing]

Clarence Thomas is an Uncle Tom. What's the issue?

 

[dank69]

And it's clear in what way he was using it. Until very recently, Thomas hadn't spoken up or asked any questions during any oral argument in over a decade, and this year he basically just made a very bad joke. He always follows the other conservative justices. Of course he's an uncle tom in some ironic, non racist sense.

It doesn't matter how it was used or what Ryan meant by it or if it is applicable. It is a highly offensive, racially charged term and a public figure should know this. Everyone knows this.

 

[justoh]

It doesn't matter how it was used or what Ryan meant by it or if it is applicable. It is a highly offensive, racially charged term and a public figure should know this. Everyone knows this.

His intent should matter. It shouldn't be offensive, to anyone with a brain;and in any case, so what if it is. Saying your'e offended doesn't give you some kind of right. Saying you're offended is simply whining, and in this case it's doubly irritating since we cannot know based on that statement alone whether he's actually racist or not, and the context provides us with strong clues that it likely wasn't, and was instead used in the aforementioned ironic, non racist sense.

Having said that, of course the retarded pc police have forced him to abandon his integrity and make a fake apology as well as abandon his future plans, for no good reason at all. What more do you want from the guy? (i know nothing about this person or whether or not there are good reasons for him to be out, just that this isn't one).

 

[dank69]

His intent should matter. It shouldn't be offensive, to anyone with a brain;and in any case, so what if it is. Saying your'e offended doesn't give you some kind of right. Saying you're offended is simply whining, and in this case it's doubly irritating since we cannot know based on that statement alone whether he's actually racist or not, and the context provides us with strong clues that it likely wasn't, and was instead used in the aforementioned ironic, non racist sense.

Having said that, of course the retarded pc police have forced him to abandon his integrity and make a fake apology as well as abandon his future plans, for no good reason at all. What more do you want from the guy? (i know nothing about this person or whether or not there are good reasons for him to be out, just that this isn't one).

Okay I'll let everyone know it's okay to start calling people ******s again. Justoh has approved it, and everyone should just not be offended by it anymore.

 

[justoh]

Okay I'll let everyone know it's okay to start calling people ******s again. Justoh has approved it, and everyone should just not be offended by it anymore.

Why shouldn't it be okay? Sticks and stones? What are you guys smoking around these parts?

 

[Atreus21]

When coined it was used to infer black people were inferior. Methinks you are way to anxious to prove the level of racism is equal between blacks and whites.

No, I'm anxious to point out that trying to argue that Uncle Tom is not a racist term is ridiculous.

 

[dank69]

Why shouldn't it be okay? Sticks and stones? What are you guys smoking around these parts?

No, I said it's fine. I am drafting the memo right now.

 

[justoh]

No, I'm anxious to point out that trying to argue that Uncle Tom is not a racist term is ridiculous.

It's easy to argue.

racist def:

noun
1.
a person who believes in racism, the doctrine that a certain human race is superior to any or all others.

argument:

1. Someone not holding that belief calling Thomas an uncle tom (me for example).
2. end of argument.

Do we know whether this guy holds the belief described in the definition? If so, then he shouldn't hold political office. If not, then you're having an irrational crying episode.

 

[Atreus21]

It seems the term Uncle Tom is similar to Affirmative Action.

Racism is okay as long as it's directed at the right people.

 

[shadow9d9]

I think it applies fine. What is the problem?

"The phrase "Uncle Tom" has also become an epithet for a person who is slavish and excessively subservient to perceived authority figures, particularly a black person who behaves in a subservient manner to white people; or any person perceived to be a participant in the oppression of their own group"


"or any person perceived to be a participant in the oppression of their own group"

That fits him perfectly...

 

[shadow9d9]

No, I'm anxious to point out that trying to argue that Uncle Tom is not a racist term is ridiculous.

It just means a traitor to your people. Nothing racist about that. It is like calling someone a benedict arnold.

 

[Genx87]

You keep sputtering about his BA in History as if that's relevant. Understanding the historical context of something, e.g., a word or phrase, tells one nothing about its connotations in contemporary society. I suspect that obvious and inarguable fact is a bit too nuanced for you to accept, however. Nonetheless, the fact remains your OP was dishonest. He did not say what you claimed he said.

Heh so everybody else in this thread who denounced this douchebag are below you then?

My OP was not dishonest at all. Unless like you believe he didnt understand what he was saying. Which I am going to call it like it is, he is a lying scumbag. Who in this day and age wouldnt understand that Uncle Tom is a racist phrase?

Only a partisan hack would bother defending the indefensible.

 

[nehalem256]

It just means a traitor to your people. Nothing racist about that. It is like calling someone a benedict arnold.

So there is nothing racist about expecting him to rule in a certain way because he is black?

 

[Bowfinger]

Heh so everybody else in this thread who denounced this douchebag are below you then?

My OP was not dishonest at all. Unless like you believe he didnt understand what he was saying. Which I am going to call it like it is, he is a lying scumbag. Who in this day and age wouldnt understand that Uncle Tom is a racist phrase?

Only a partisan hack would bother defending the indefensible.

Fluff off, twit. These are your words, verbatim:

"claims he didnt know what Uncle Tom meant"
​

No matter how much you huff and puff and try to change the subject, those words are a lie. It is simply, factually, unarguably not what he said, at least based on the article you linked. You also keep claiming I am defending him, another lie. I am attacking you for lying, and tried to correct your lies by pointing out what he actually said. Had your OP been honest about what he said, you wouldn't have heard a peep out of me.

My single greatest frustration with you and the other wing-nut puppets is you seem to have zero ability to support your positions honestly. All your arguments start with some perverted caricature of the truth rather than an honest, accurate representation of the issue or event. It continually reinforces the perception that you guys live in a bubble world where your positions are driven by emotion, not fact and reason. It makes you useless, a sorry waste of a human brain. That's really unfortunate because we get the best solutions when there is an intelligent, informed, reasoned balance between the left and the right. Instead, all we get from the right are distortions and faith-based nonsense.

 

[SheHateMe]

Referencing Clarence Thomas as Uncle Thomas is nonsensical unless you are familiar with the term Uncle Tom.

You're right...I wouldn't expect someone with a History Degree from Harvard to be familiar with the term.

Because he is black?

Love the hypocrisy of some people. Racism is alright against blacks if they are Conservative and dare to stray from liberalism. The hypocrisy is stunning.

Anita Hill was black, bonehead. And Thomas skirted away from a sexual harassment charge because Anita was pretty much silenced and discredited due to being a woman. He's a slimeball. Not because of his race..but because he's a slimeball.

 

[thraashman]

It just means a traitor to your people. Nothing racist about that. It is like calling someone a benedict arnold.

Calling someone a Benedict Arnold is calling them a traitor.
Calling someone an Uncle Tom is calling them a racial traitor and is only applicable to black people, it just would make sense if you called a non-black person an Uncle Tom.
The racial factor in calling someone an Uncle Tom is what makes it racist. It's like it a white person called another white person a ni&&er lover. It's racist, pure and simple.

Trying to say this isn't racist is as silly as trying to say that birthers aren't racist. The arguments are bullshit and it's just people trying to defend anyone on their team.

 

[woolfe9998]

You are the one being dishonest. He did NOT claim he didn't know what Uncle Tom meant. He said he didn't realize some consider the phrase racist. That's not even close to the same thing. In fact, he openly stated he chose that phrase precisely because of what it signified, that Thomas should be especially sensitive to the racial ramifications of the VRA ruling.

Bingo.

Why do people around here constantly feel the need to mischaracterize the contents of their own linked articles? Do they just count on people not actually reading them?

 

[Incorruptible]

You're right...I wouldn't expect someone with a History Degree from Harvard to be familiar with the term.




Anita Hill was black, bonehead. And Thomas skirted away from a sexual harassment charge because Anita was pretty much silenced and discredited due to being a woman. He's a slimeball. Not because of his race..but because he's a slimeball.

I was talking about the poster being racist, moron.