Its my duty to award my first ever "Uncle Tom(s) of the Week" award to Joe Watkins and Juan Williams

[wndycty]

As a Black man I try to use the the term "Uncle Tom" as little as possible because I think it should be reserved for the most appalling examples of African Americans who sell the race out. Now let me state on the outset, for purposes of this award the "Uncle Tom of the Week" only applies to an individual's conduct on any given manner and that person should not be considered an outright "Uncle Tom."

So its with a heavy heart that I present to you wndycty's first ever "Uncle Tom(s) of the Week" to Juan Williams of NPR and FOX News; and MSNBC Analyst Joe Watkins.

First let me state that Willams DID NOT earn this honor because of his employment with FOX NEWS and that Watkins DID NOT earn this honor because he is a GOP operative. While I would never work for FOX NEWS or the GOP I sincerely do not believe that being associated with either FOX NEWS or the GOP should earn someone the title of "Uncle Tom of the Week."

Both earn the title of "Uncle Tom of the Week" for their idiotic support of Bill O'Reilly this week. Williams because he never once, ONCE asked O'Reilly why he was surprised there is no difference between Black owned and operated establishments and white owned and operated establishments.

Watkins because he joined O'Reilly in blaming the messenger, Media Matters, this morning during appearances on THE TODAY SHOW and MSNBC. Also, he advanced the notion that O'Reilly was making the argument that there are not differences between us. While it can be spun that way that is not really the issue.

What both Williams and Watkins don't get is that Bill O'Reilly is a 59 year old, allegedly well educated, seasoned journalist. It is appalling that in the year 2007 it took a trip to a Harlem restaurant with Al Sharpton to open his eyes to the fact that Black owned businesses are just like white owned business and that Black people don't scream "M-Fer I want more iced tea."

Additionally, O'Reilly's arrogance is what is doing him in on this matter. Not once, ONCE has O'Reilly defended himself by acknowledging that he understands why,WHY African Americans or anyone else for that matter would find his comments offensive. A little contrition and acknowledgment of his mistake could rapidly douse this controversy, by him swinging back at the messenger he just digs himself a deeper hole.

There are so many things wrong with O'Reilly's comments its ridiculous and he needs to be called on them,
but with the help of "Uncle Toms of the Week" Williams and Watkins O'Reilly can continue to be in denial about his racist attitudes.