the relationship, not the word.

For instance, there have been a variety of comedy skits of a [link|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonto|Tonto]-like character who is actually much more capable than the Lone Ranger-like character. It works as comedy because of the supposition that Tonto was less capable, or subservient, in the real show.

Similarly, "Uncle Tom" is now taken as a [link|http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/africam/afin20c.html|pejorative] even though it can be argued that the character in Uncle Tom's cabin was actually sympathetic (e.g., [link|http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/africam/afar03at.html|this] unsigned commentary in Frederick Douglass's paper in 1852).

Language and perceptions evolve. It's probably pointless to try to find logic in it. :-)

FWIW.

Cheers,
Scott.
(Who hasn't actually read UTC.)