LEARNING TOGETHER: The Story of America
In 1851, a series of stories were published about the life of plantation slaves. Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, an abolitionist, the purpose of the stories was to push an anti-slavery message by showing the horrors that slaves suffered at the hands of their masters. The other purpose was to show slaves as humans or ain’t we all God’s little children. So, if slavery was cruel and slaves were humans, these stories which were based on Christian values and principles asked the question, how could Christians justify slavery?
The following year, these short stories were published in a book called Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Life Among the Lowly. It became a runaway bestseller. The book was banned in the South. It is to no one’s surprise that Southern slaveholders couldn’t fathom the idea that their slaves possessed human emotions or were loved by the same God.
The main character of course was Uncle Tom. In theory, the novel presented Uncle Tom as a saintly hero. A kind of representative of the ideal male Black slave aka the “Magical Negro”. He symbolized how a “good house Negro” was supposed to behave. He was childlike, kind, loyal, and forgiving to his master, even when his master was vicious to him. He’d rather stay and suffer, than flee or fight. He was of course a good Christian slave, thus helping to justify accepting the terrors of slavery in exchange for a place in heaven. Throughout his life as a docile slave, Uncle Tom helped other slaves survive their hellish plight. However, when he refused to disclose the whereabouts of two female runaway slaves, our noble hero was finally killed at the hands of another slave named Sambo.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was adapted for various theater shows then it became a movie. During the ever-evolving productions of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the character of Uncle Tom also changed. No longer seen as a god-like hero. Uncle Tom’s character became subservient, weak, terrified, simple, and deserving of death.
The theory was that white audiences won’t accept a Black slave character unless he was completely loyal to his master and a model slave above all others. The Uncle Tom character now fit the “Happy Slave” myth like a glove. This new overly obedient image of Uncle Tom may have satisfied white Americans idea of the faithful Black servant, but it angered many Black Americans.
To many African Americans, the character of Uncle Tom has always represented a feeble Black man, a negative stereotype. An idealized or romanticized version of the happy slave who’s only purpose in life is to take care of his master joyfully and unselfishly.
Just like many words and phrases that have changed or added a new meaning over time. Uncle Tom has become a derogatory term. It represents a man who is desperate to gain the approval of white folks, has betrayed his own race to appease white people, a sellout, a race traitor, a willing participate in the oppression of Black people, etc.
The original heroic Uncle Tom created by Harriet Beecher Stowe died on the pages of her novel, but the obedient, promoters of Black inferiority, self-appointed Black leaders who benefit no one but themselves, lifetime servants to their masters, the Modern Uncle Toms live on today in politicians, government officials, TV and social media personalities, law enforcement officers, business owners, and among the lowly.
Noteworthy Fact(s):
An Aunt Jemima is the female version of an Uncle Tom.
The character of Uncle Tom was drawn from a real slave named Josiah Henson.
Some folks said that the novel wasn’t based on facts because it didn’t show the benefits of slavery nor did the novel show how Black slave women loved their masters. These lies were just another way to promote the “happy slave” myth or downplay the true horrors of slavery. There is no such thing as a “good master” nor was there a good time had by all down on the plantation or in the cotton fields. Slavery was brutal, inhumane, deadly, and devastating to Black families. The slave master had absolute control over the slaves. Slavery is not a choice. Slave women did not love their oppressors.
Uncle Tom syndrome is a real psychological conduction where a person will act submissive and weak when faced with a threatening situation.
OUR HISTORY MATTERS
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