“Unpacking the Layers: How Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Became a Powerful Political Statement”
Added on February 11, 2025 inMusic News Cards
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When you hear the term “Uncle Tom,” what pops into your head? Is it a cozy image of some old-timey family figure? Or maybe you picture a dude who’s just a little too eager to please? Well, let’s take a deeper look because it’s way more complicated than that! The character originates from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, where Uncle Tom is an enslaved man beaten to death for not selling out his fellow individuals. Yikes, right? Over the years, his legacy has twisted into this unfortunate stereotype of subservience. Fast forward to today, and we see layers of this character morphing into pop culture references. Just ask Samuel L. Jackson, who gave us a version of Uncle Tom that doesn’t shy away from calling out contemporary issues—in this case, Kendrick Lamar’s approach with a biting remark. It’s interesting, though; with the political landscape shifting, especially during the 2024 election where Donald Trump snagged a surprising amount of support from Black men, the Uncle Tom reference seemed to be back in play. Are we simply staring into a funhouse mirror that distorts history, politics, and identity all in one chaotic image? If that doesn’t make you rethink what you thought you knew, then I don’t know what will! Buckle up, because we’re diving in—it’s a wild ride! LEARN MORE.
For those who may not know, the term “Uncle Tom” originated in 1852. Uncle Tom was a character in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. He is an enslaved Black man who is beaten to death for not betraying the whereabouts of other enslaved people. Although in this origin story, he was loyal to his fellow Black people, his character was also seen as subservient and happy with being enslaved in updated versions of the story.
Samuel L. Jackson, as Uncle Tom, chided and goaded Kendrick with lines like “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?”
During the 2024 election season, Donald Trump found support among many Black men, and gained more of their votes than any Republican candidate in nearly a quarter century. I couldn’t help but feel like Samuel L. Jackson’s Uncle Tom was a direct reference to this fact.
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