Uncle Tomism

[ uhng-kuhl tom-iz-uhm ]

noun
  1. a pattern of social behavior characterized by a willingly submissive attitude on the part of the Black participants in a given interaction and a benevolent but patronizing attitude on the part of the white participants.

Origin of Uncle Tomism

1
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; Uncle Tom + -ism
  • Also called Tom·ism .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024