Emancipation, Not Equality
The novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” had a major impact on how the northern part of the United States viewed slavery, and was used to fan the flames of the abolitionist fire spreading across the North in the years leading up to the Civil War. The novel portrays the struggles and hardships endured by slaves and the types of conditions they lived under. It is a major piece of American literature and its effects are undeniable. Despite its well intentioned message, however, the book is not without flaws. One of the major shortcomings of the novel is how, even though it clearly took a stand against slavery, there is an undertone of racism and an air of racial assumptions throughout the book.
One part that I feel best represents this in the book starts on the middle of page 86. It is here that Stowe makes various assumptions about the African American race that are in no way true. She portrays them as “timid”, “patient”, “home-loving”, and “undaring”. Even the positive adjectives she uses to describe them, such as “courageous” are not necessarily true of all people of African American descent. She stereotypes an entire race of people and puts them under one category regarding their personality and character.
This, as well as views expressed from other abolitionists, even the Great Emancipator himself, Abraham Lincoln, clearly display that although many wanted the African Americans to be free of slavery, they did not all hold them in as high regard as is often thought of today. In my personal experience, I went through much of my childhood believing the opposite to be true, that all the abolitionists wanted equal rights. This does not mean that I disrespect the abolitionists or their movement in any way. Slavery was an evil that certainly needed to be dealt with in the United States, and I hold all those who gave of themselves to protect and free the African American people, including Abraham Lincoln, in the the highest possible regard. My goal is to show the truth of the matter so that others can understand the reality of the situation in the mid 1800’s.
The part of the text that I feel most clearly displays this is the language used by Mrs. Shelby as well as others who are sympathetic towards the plight of the slaves. Throughout the book, when referring to the slaves, the terms “creature” and “critter” are often used. This, although it may be overlooked by some, is a slight towards them and a way of referring to them as inferior or less than human. Although some may consider it harmless, the way that people talk is often a reflection of how they feel, even if things happen to slip out subconsciously or “under the radar” so to speak. Another example is the frequent use of the “N-word” by those such as Mr. Shelby. This word has its roots as a hateful and derisive term, and still means the same today, regardless of who is using it. Even though these people claim to have the best interests of their slaves at heart (which I have no doubt they do), it is obvious that these attitudes do not extend to equal rights.
The entire point of this post is not to tear down people’s image of the abolitionists or to disrespect them. As stated earlier, I hold them in the highest regard and admiration, and had I lived during the time period, I would certainly have been an abolitionist myself. It is also important to remember that this was the common view of the day, and it had been for hundreds of years. African Americans and other people of color were seen as inferior to whites, and only fairly recently in history has this attitude begun to change. However, in my view, just because something is culturally accepted or is the cultural norm of the time does not make it right. The goal of this post is to open people’s eyes and help them understand that not all is what it seems to be on the surface, and that not everything we think or hear should be taken at face value. If you truly want to understand history and the historical views and feelings of certain people or groups, or even contemporary ones for that matter, more digging in and uncovering the real truth is needed.
