There is going to be hours of talk around comic book stores over the next week about how Cyclops calls Dazzler the “Uncle Tom of mutants” in today’s issue of Uncanny X-Men. People are going to believe the step is too strong in the current push to pacify the word “mutants” and show it as a derogatory term. Is this literary reference too much, is it something to draw the press, or is it to make a strong point? What should we look at with the “Uncle Tom of mutants” line?
I Know I Know…
I do not like to give spoilers, but the “Uncle Tom of mutants” line does not give away the story. Also, it is important to discuss this right now.
Uncle Tom of mutants?
Who is Uncle Tom?
Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel which was published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is a book which is banned from many schools because it has course and derogatory language which can be misunderstood if taken out of context. It also deals with a horrible time from our nation’s past which should not be forgotten. Since many of you might not have read the book in school, it makes sense to explain the content behind the “Uncle Tom of mutants” lin.
Uncle Tom is portrayed in the book as a man who is able to hold through his slavery by relying on his religion and hope. In the last few decades, the term “Uncle Tom” and a term which will not be repeated here after “Uncle Tom” have become a derogatory way of stating that an African-American has “sold out” to Caucasians.
In the Uncanny X-Men Context
In the context of how Cyclops used the “Uncle Tom of mutants” reference, he points out how Dazzler, in his opinion, has sold out to the people who are trying to hunt down the mutants and start a war with them. He displays distaste for her, and gives a statement that she is lower than he is. The references is to be disgraceful and shows the prejudice mutants can have for each other in the Marvel Universe.
It was a Wise Move
The words “Uncle Tom of mutants” stuck out on the page for me. I was surprised at first when reading, but realized they fit perfectly in the storyline Marvel is going for. The publishing company is trying to battle hate and separation in the current storyline involving the X-Men and the term fits. I can understand how some might become offended by the term, but the content of the term needs to be overlooked for the context.
The Press
I would not be surprised if some of the major media outlets picked up on the “Uncle Tom of mutants” line. It will be interesting to see if they pick up only on the content, or if some pick up on the context as well.
