Historically, Uncle Tom was a black man born into slavery, who ended up sacrificing his own life to save the lives of other slaves. But, when this story was made into a movie, Uncle Tom was portrayed as a slave who gave his life for his master.Now, an "Uncle Tom" is a derogatory term to describe a black man who "acts white" and "talks white", or who is a sell-out to his own race. A black man who kisses white people's asses, and who will turn his back on other black people to keep the approval of whites. A sell-out, an ass kisser, a race traitor ...I've also heard people describe an " Uncle Tom" as a whitewashed black man. A black man who may have been raised by white people, and who therefore has the manorisms and behaviors of a white man. He would also speak like a "dorky/nerdy" white man.A black man, who, while speaking to over the phone, one would think they were talking to a white man.