“Uncle Tom” A term whose implication REALLY FUCKING PISSES ME OFF.

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe, a fervent slavery abolitionist authored the most influential literary work of the 19th century, Uncle Toms Cabin. In fact, the only book to outsell Uncle Toms Cabin GLOBALLY in the 19th century was the Bible. The story was so influential that upon meeting Stowe, Abraham Lincoln fondly commented she was "the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war." in reference to the Civil War. 

Harriet Beecher Stowes’ purpose was to highlight the inhumanity of slavery. Her vehicle was to humanize the principal character, Tom, as a man of principal, integrity, honor, and most importantly a Christian that was agnostic to race. 

Uncle Toms Cabin isn’t about race, it is the story of a Christian with unflappable faith. Tom befriended his kind owners with grace, he was a trusted ally to his fellow slaves, he risked his life to save a white child from drowning while being transported on the Ohio river for SLAVE AUCTION, and most importantly, he sacrificed his life because he was unwilling to betray slaves that had escaped! 

Uncle Tom the character resonated with Christians because he demonstrated true Christian values. Uncle Toms Cabin was the most influential literary work that led to the emancipation of black people and the abolition of slavery.

I personally find it poetic that the second most influential book of the 19th century is also, like the Bible, a story somewhat rooted in Christian principles.

So when ignorant people flippantly use the term “Uncle Tom” to label someone as a Judas to his race, I am filled with dismay and anger at the willful ignorance. “Uncle Tom” was the single most influential fictional character in literature that influenced the abolishing of slavery in this country; THE FIRST TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY THAT SLAVERY WAS LEGISLATED TO BE AGAINST THE LAW!

Uncle Tom was a martyr in literature, and he was a Messiah to ALL SLAVES! 

Uncle Tom was a true Christian.