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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Uncle Tomism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; Uncle Tom + -ism