The Sambo: Michael Steele
If anyone has ever studied systematic Black History, he or she will notice that there were always African Americans who were willing to sellout, their own people for the right price or no price at all. Such African Americans, always tried to convince the White Establishment, that they were good Negros. African Americans, who engaged in such actions, were usually referred, as “Uncle Toms”, especially in the black community. However, the word Uncle Tom, has been misused by many, including scholars and intellectuals. If one were to read, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” (1852), he or she would notice, that the character Uncle Tom, was both a protector, and, lover of his people. He was not a sellout, which has been projected, throughout, America’s political history. People, in America’s sociological society, have been, getting the perception of Uncle Tom mixed up with that of, ” Sambo”. Sambo, is the one who sole-out his own people, and not Uncle Tom. However, some scholars, argued that Sambo was a figment of the white man’s imagination, while others have argued that such a character, at one time did exist within the slave community. Nevertheless, the Black Sambo, was the one who had the tendency, to be disloyal, to his comrades in the slave community. From slavery to Reconstruction, from Reconstruction to the Harlem Renaissance, from the Harlem Renaissance to the New Deal Era, from the New Deal Era to the Civil Rights Movement, and finally, from the Civil Rights Movement to the post- Civil Rights Movement, there have been Sambos, who were willing to sellout those who looked like them, just for a few crumbs from the master’s table. One individual, who comes to mind, when discussing the “Sambo Mentality”, is The Republic Party, Chairman, Michale Steele. Now before I go any farther, let it be known that, I do not believe that just because an African American, happens to be a Republican, that he or she is automatically a Sambo, because the black community is as diverse, as any other community. The same analysis also applies to the Democratic Party, meaning, just because one happens to be an African American, does not, automatically mean that he or she has to vote in the Democratic Party. In fact, I sometimes think that the Democratic Party, take the black vote for granted, but, this is another topic for discussion. Michael Steele, is the first African American chairperson for the G.O.P., but, like most African Americans who are apart of the Republican Party, he is a soft mild mannered Negro, when dealing with whites, but, trys to be a monster when dealing with the general black population, who by the way, are still 97% Democratic. Black men like Michael Steele, just do not seem to get it. All that he has to do is, take time and read a little of Black History, and, he would notice, that there have always been African Americans, like himself, who tried to deny themselves or play down their blackness, in order to appease white folks, and in the end, they would turn around and get slapped in the face, by the same white folks who they were trying to please. Is Michael Steele, a Sambo, because, he is a member of the Republican Party? Quite, naturally the answer is no. Former Army General and Secretary of State, Collin Powell, is a Republican,(even though he publicly supported Obama for the U.S. Presidency) and he is not a Sambo. Alan Keyes, who on a few occasions, tried to get the Republican nomination for the U.S. Presidency, is truly a conservative intellectual, and he is not a Sambo. In fact, Alan Keyes, is the first black conservative, who I have seen, that can defend himself intellectually, against any political group, and, his logic appears to come out of a systematic design, when explaining political and economic realities,and, quite naturally, his analyses would be, since he has a Ph.D in Government and Public Policy, from Harvard University. Why do I believe that Michael Steele is a Sambo? First of all, it was not necessary for him to apologize to the bigot, Rush Libaugh. Who the hell is Rush Libaugh, that someone has to apologize to him, especially an African America? Rush practically hates people of color, and, he blasted Collin Powell, when Powell announced his support for Obama. Libaugh accused Powell of supporting Obama just because he was black. Michael Steele apologized to this racist, a man who has an unadulterated hatred for Sambo Steele, and, all those that look like him. Second, Michael Steele, has publicly supported the Tea Parties across the U.S., but, has Sambo Steele noticed, that these Tea Parties have very few folks, who attend them, that look like him? Third, Sambo Michael, wants limited and small government, failing to understand, that in many cases, the increase of the federal government, was due to the fact, that state and local governments were a terror on blacks and other people of color, but, with the increase of the federal government, through civil rights legislation and Supreme Court rulings, blacks and other people of color, including Sambo Michael, have been able to experience the ” American Dream”, and not the “American Nightmare”. Everyone in America’s political culture, have benefited from the federal government in someway, form or fashion. The railroad industry, the airline industry, the bus companies, and other major businesses and corporations, have gotten a boost from the federal government, and, I could go on and on. The final reason why I believe that Michael Steele is a Sambo, is because, his political philosophy, and worldview, if implemented,would take blacks back another 40-years, and, much of the civil rights legislation, would be nullified. Black men like Michael Steele, are not only a danger to people of color, but, he is also a danger to himself. I will close by saying, “Michael Steele, You Black Sambo”!
The Bowtie Professor Speaks!
Tags: African American Males, Prejudice Attitudes
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 7:56 am and is filed under African American Studies, Politics And Race Relations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Your article was enlightening! I am Hispanic and I have encountered many “Sambo” characters in my life. I will even admit to sometimes being a Sambo myself. Then I remember the small South Texas town I am from. I wake up, go to bed, and live being a Hispanic. People are guilty of this everyday, I am too. The only way that we can be equal is if we all treat eachother equally first. It upsets me when I meet other Hispanics who wants to kill everyone who comes across that border. Micheal Steele is a danger to the well being and growth of the black community. I bet he wouldnt be so anti black if he spent a few days in the deep south, where racisim is still very much alive.
Ashley Gonzales
GOVT 2302-4002
This article was so powerful to me because it shows the generally “unkown side” of politics and everyday life. I read “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in American History last year. Uncle Tom’s true character is SO far from this horrid misconception seen today. Tom’s loyalty through hatred showed his important convictions to love others. If only the world implemented more of his philosophies.
GOVT 2302-4002
For a long time, I was also one of the majority blinded to the true meaning of who Uncle Tom was and what he stood for;therefore, ignorant me,agreed with the thinking and mindset of others that were misled. After receiving the correct information about Uncle Tom and Sambo, I began to ponder over why didn’t I take the time to do a little research for myself instead of taking what one said at face value.
Indeed, Sambo was one who “kissed butt”, and jumped at Lecree’s every beckon;however, Uncle Tom was just the opposite and pursued self perservation. I wonder if Steele realizes that some citizens think his actions resemble Sambo and not the title of Uncle Tom or if he really cares. Nevertheless,I guess it’s better to stand for something than nothing at all.
Govt. 2302
Tuesday 7:05-9:55
Govt. 2302
People who have these “sambo” characteristics are seen everyday. I mean seriously, you should treat everyone with the same respect as you treat your friends, family etc. This is common sense, treat others how you would want to be treated. I think it is selfish to give the upper hand to another race because you want their respect. Deep down Steele knows he is doing himself no good by kissing up to others.
MW Govt 2301 535pm
Well, I will say that anyone who sells out their own race is disgraceful to that race. However, just because one wishes to be pleasing to another race, that does not automatically make them a turncoat! I wish to please others, to make everyone comfortable. I do not like individuals who single out anyone in mockery or discriminate for any reason. There is nothing wrong also with hanging with others that makes one feel comfortable. If that happens to be people of one’s own race, there is no crime in this. If I choose to hang with believers who choose not to sin in reference to sex or choice of gender for marriage, I am hanging with those like myself. This does not mean I do not love all. There is a fine line between racism and discrimination. It is best not to judge others. God knows the heart of all and is the best judge!
Well, they are hard up the Repubicans between: the their chairman and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Now, Collin Powell, is a man who knows when to say that he made a mistake. As a real soldier he fell on his saber when he gave the USA reasoning for go to war in IRAQ in the UN. The Nurumburg trials exactly were about making going to war without being attacked a war crime. But, he turning around and at the end, implied that it was a mistake the war in Iraq, so in the end he supported Obama for President. Read what his principal assistant has said about George Bush: that by international law he is a war criminal too. General Powell, finally go it right, he changed his mind. I would like to read his memoirs, but he is too much of a soldier too tell full the story.
GOVT 2302
It’s all a matter of respect to your race. I cannot understand how someone could sell out another of the same race, a brother/sister to them. If anything, they would defend them. Some people have gotten so selfish and self-centered nowadays that they could care less about honor and respect to their brothers and sisters.
i dont really know who Michael Steele is but if he is taking blacks back 40 years than he is a black sambo. i just dont see how someone can try to take something from there own race cause dont they know that in the end it going to affect them too. kissing someone butt is never good because when they get what they want its just a slap in the face for you.
I see these people everyday, we all do. We all come across them and we might even be one. People sell people out every day to get ahead in life or to please the other person. That doesn’t make it right for others to do so either. What they did or are still doing is not right but they think they are bettering themselves and one day they will realize how this was wrong on many levels.
Where is the Honor? Where is the Respect? of these “Sambos” Is that not an important factor anymore? It is like turning in a member of your family? Isn’t Family important too? These are the questions that they should ask themselves and acknowledge the answers they come with and fix it. Selling out doesn’t only happen amound one’s race, individuals do it many times to get ahead in life. Who can stump on today to get higher tomorrow? is what goes on in many peoples mind. I don’t believe by crushing someone else is the answer to getting acknowledge in the career world. By showing your hard work and efforts will be seen just as well.
I think there is a Sambo in every race. There are plenty of hispanic “Sambos” you see everyday on tv and on the news. They have sold out their race and are sometimes ashamed of their roots. At work I have encountered these kinds of people who deny their true heritages to fit in with the majority which are anglos. Some of the famous Sambos you see on tv also try to act like they are of a different race just to not be different. I think everyrace is beautiful in its own way and rich in culture.
This article is truly amazing. For a long time, i thought that “Uncle Tom” was a traitor to his/her community. I was shocked to find out that people are using the wrong name for such activites. There are many people in the world that are “Uncle Tom’s” and “Sambo.” I don’t know much about Michael Steele, but if he is the type of person that the article claims, then shame on Micheal Steele.
kevin hamilton
political science
tues-thurs 11:00
govt 2302-4010
i agree that mr. steele has probably not made some of the best decisions but i think that callindg him a sambo would probably be a little extreme. I say this because i have watched him reach out to individuals time and time again from the african amercian community in an effort to get them to understand the conversative view points. Their are some things that i take notice to about mr steele and i think the obvious is that he does not posess any type of backbone. apologizeing to rish linbaugh was probably beneath him and it was deffinitley something he did not have to do. I jsut wonder if he realizes that real leaders will have to lead at some point or another and not follow., by giveing in to mr limbaugh antics he simply followed the same republican rhetoric that the people befor him did but i do not think that makes him a sambo. i just think it makes him a whimp.
kevin hamilton
political science
tues-thurs 11:00
govt 2302-4010
whao this is a very good article. its a little bit longerbut i took my time to read it
This article is true because there are a lot of people that will help another race before they help their own. Everyone wants to end racism and prejudice but continue to down talk their race, why is that? If it was not for different cultures then everyone would basically do and act the same way. Different races add diversity to life, helping you learn from life experiences. I could not imagine back stabbing my own people, or any other race, why? What do you accomplish by doing this? Nothing. You may think you are getting something out of the deal, but you are not in the long run.
If others see you trying to help out others of your race and of a different race other, the world could possibly overcome the issues of modern America.
I too understand and have the same pain in the depth of my soul for the Sambo’s of today and yester-year. I come from a small town in Arkansas where the present population has only made it to just over 300; the Louisiana state line is about 15 miles south of the small town and only adds to the misery the town deal with daily. I visit only to place flowers at the head of my family graves a few times a year and even then I cringe at the thought of the 5 ½ hour drive to the slavery ridden; yes-suh, no-suh mentality my people of color have there. Even worse, the poor trailer trash, beer belly, snuff dipping, want-to-be, uneducated white’s actually think there is nothing wrong with the way they address people of color (including Hispanics) in there everyday way of life. There are a few people of color who attempted to run for office or return after college to attempt change, but after they are in place they too take on the Republic Party, Chairman Michael “Sambo” Steele mentality and vote anyway they are told which is never to assist there own. I have attended the “Purple Hull Pea Festival” on many occasions’ just to bring others (city bound intelligent multi cultured beings) to see how far we of color have come and what the past was like for our historical family. It’s hard to admit and even harder to put it into words how we as people of color treat, yield, acquiesce, capitulate, surrender and even succumb to the commands or even words of those who think they are better.
As you stated and is true “Everyone in America’s political culture, have benefited from the federal government in someway, form or fashion. The railroad industry, the airline industry, the bus companies, and other major businesses and corporations, have gotten a boost from the federal government”. These people have been in a time bubble and their understanding is zero. Until someone ring the bell no one will answer the door.
I have met people like sambos their people who what they consider important to them is anything that has to do with them, their people that it does not matter if the people are in their way to success they will do and said anything to further their careers. they will sellout in the same way as it is said in the article and that makes me sick. but they do themselved no favor in the end because they are only lying to themselves and separating themselves from their origins and in the end the people who they were trying to please will turn their backs on them.
I have to fully agree with this article, because I fell that Uncle Tom does get a unfair rap. The “Sambo” character was way worse. Michael Steele would fit that character perfectly, but I have to say being from Chicago, that Alan Keyes, even though very smart he would also be a Sambo too. The article though was dead on, great article…
I agree with this article because in today’s society we encounter with people that are sambo. Everyone makes Mistakes and we shouldn’t judge no one because we have our own.
Like you said, there has been many “Sambos” in history, and there will always be a “Sambo” in every race, job, wherever. They only think for themselves and kiss butt to people above them, especially if they are from a different race.
I feel like Sambo’s look down to their own kind because they might be embarrassed that their people didnt make it as far as the Sambo did…
Sambos are dumb and should get punched for being backstabbers.