This is the complete quote: " . . . uppity Blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas." That's what he meant, an independent thinker, one who does not follow the crowd, in his case, what most Blacks at the time thought, presumably in their regard for the liberal Democrats.
I think he meant "uppity" in quotes, as "southern gentlemen" would not mean it flatteringly. (It's been used relative to the two Justins tossed from TN statehouse, in quotes, by reporters referring to the view/actions of the white male speaker of the house and his white male cronies. )
What he means by it is what he said he means - a Black person who "in any way deign(s) to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas." Yes, it had been a derogatory term used by whites against Blacks who were moving beyond their appointed station. But he appropriated it to make it a slam against Blacks who, in his view, didn't think for themselves, meaning they suppported Dems. Today, Candace Owens makes the same claim. She thinks for herself (about the Left/Dems), not like other Black people.
I'm no fan of Thomas, but I take him at his word on this.
This is the complete quote: " . . . uppity Blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas." That's what he meant, an independent thinker, one who does not follow the crowd, in his case, what most Blacks at the time thought, presumably in their regard for the liberal Democrats.
I think he meant "uppity" in quotes, as "southern gentlemen" would not mean it flatteringly. (It's been used relative to the two Justins tossed from TN statehouse, in quotes, by reporters referring to the view/actions of the white male speaker of the house and his white male cronies. )
What he means by it is what he said he means - a Black person who "in any way deign(s) to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas." Yes, it had been a derogatory term used by whites against Blacks who were moving beyond their appointed station. But he appropriated it to make it a slam against Blacks who, in his view, didn't think for themselves, meaning they suppported Dems. Today, Candace Owens makes the same claim. She thinks for herself (about the Left/Dems), not like other Black people.
I'm no fan of Thomas, but I take him at his word on this.