The American Directory of Certified Uncle Toms

by James B. Lowe

"A Daring Rebuke to Multicultural White White Supremacists," book review by Vincent Thomas, June 27, 2002: The American Directory of Certified Uncle Toms is a well-documented, scholarly, and witty critique of the most stridently "Eurocentric" elements of the Black community. The book clearly distinguishes Black interests (economic, political, and creative Black self-determination) from the practices of Black Eurocentrists (undermining grassroots Black leadership, justifications for white supremacy, artistic portrayals of black pathology for financial gain, and fronting anti-Black agendas with no accountability to Black constituencies). Finally, we have a publication that courageously critiques white liberalism, black conservatism, elitism in the black upper and middle classes, and an inordinate Zionist influence (the section where Ron Dellums was forced to have a family meeting because he feared a political backlash for not supporting aid to Israel was especially telling). Whether you agree or disagree with all entries (Dubois and Washington both with five stars!), The American Directory of Certified Uncle Toms is an important work.

443 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 1999