Racial discrimination in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Introduction
Racial discrimination continues to haunt the world, despite the various laws and regulations that have been put in place against its occurrence. Much has been done to improve the living conditions of the African population including better housing, education, and health care programs. However, there still remains a considerable gap between the ‘white’ population and their darker-skinned counterparts that need to be bridged. Several books like Huckleberry Finn, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and so on attempt to address these issues in a simple and pleasing manner.
Background
The much-read and appreciated story, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, speaks of life as a slave during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This period was a transition for America with several laws and legislations related to slavery coming into force. In fact, the very story of Uncle Tom’s Cabin can be attributed to the passing of the historical Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, which forbade citizens of ‘Free States’ from lending a helping hand to runaway slaves. Since most of the American farming particularly cotton and sugarcane was dependent on slaves, farming-intensive states continued to encourage slavery while others opposed it (Davila, 2002). It was this dynamically opposed ideology that formed the basis of the heart-wrenching story that still makes for fascinating reading.
The heartbreaking tale of how Tom, a slave, prefers death rather than betraying two runaway slaves, speaks volumes about his humanity and respect for human life (Parfait, 2007), (Riss, 1994). Although he himself never attempted to become free, he refused to stand in the way of freedom for another. Hailed as a breakthrough of its time, the story by H B Stowe gathers sympathy for the African race that was tricked and forced into slavery by the ‘white’ population of America. The story uses simple words to depict the deep-rooted suffering, pain, and sorrow of Africans as they face the various struggles that come their way due to life as slaves (Riss, 1994). The thinking of the people of the time can be seen in the manner in which Stowe depicts her characters based on their skin tones as black, white, little black, almost white, and so on. The trials and tribunals they face merely due to their darker coloring lay the foundation for Stowe’s heart-wrenching story (Kim, 1998).
While the descriptions of characters based on coloring may seem strange to hear or read in the present day, it remains an ingrained part of the human psyche that allows the readers to easily relate to the various entities in the storyline (Kim, 1998). Thus, present-day America also continues to view her citizens using the same bias that was depicted in the story of Uncle Tom. Based on this rationale, black and brown dominant areas are classified as problem areas. Although crimes by ‘white’ men continue to increase and many of these atrocities are carried out on children, the darker-skinned population comprising of African- Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are often cited as problem makers despite most of them being law-abiding citizens. Books like Uncle Tom’s Cabin are capable of gathering empathy as well as sympathy for the African races (Reid, 2008).
While Stowe’s story was a brave effort for her time and incited the white population to denounce slavery (Stewart, 2008), it has several critics as well. The story is often held responsible for evoking racial stereotypes that continue to mar human conscience even today (Kim, 1998). Critics even express the opinion that Stowe’s portrayal of slavery was incomplete and biased to cater to her ‘white’ readers. On the other hand, the story is also applauded as having evoked the debate on the legacy of slavery, and the living conditions of the Africans on American soil. Stowe was very vocal about the reasons for writing the story and clearly stated her mission in the first pages of the book. The Civil War in America is actually believed to have been greatly influenced by the debate and furor that followed the publication of Stowe’s book in 1852 (Stewart, 2008).
Hypothesis
Racial discrimination is a grave problem facing modern society. It continues to thrive even in the 22nd century, despite the various laws and regulations in place to check it.
Research question
1. Is racial discrimination more important than respect for human life?
2. Can mere enactment of laws and regulations bring about a parallel change in thinking among the masses?
3. Is respect for humanity an actual fact or are people merely doing lip service to the idea while continuing to live a directly converse ideology?
Research Methodology
Primary data collection is done using a close-ended questionnaire. Appendix 1 below shows the questionnaire. A random sampling technique is used among the students on the campus. The close-ended questionnaire is being used for primary data since it allows the opinions of the respondents to be easily quantified, and thus lend itself to various interpretations without bias from the analysts. The population size for data collection is kept at 500 and the sampling is done randomly across various classes. The collected data is tabulated and the results are presented as pictorial charts like histograms and pie charts for easy understanding. The data is also collaborated against secondary data from similar studies carried out on the topic. The secondary data results and the primary data results would be compared to understand the overall impact of racial discrimination and the manner in which books like Uncle Tom’s Cabin would influence it are studied.
Conclusion
Books, like works of art, need not be uplifting or positive to be recognized as path-breakers. Stowe may have taken a soft stand on slavery. However, her work needs to be understood based on the political climate of her era. Rather than being judgmental, the book needs to be hailed for its historical impact in ensuring that the long-practiced slavery in America was abolished and laws against racial discrimination enforced. Much has been done for the upliftment of the African race over the past few centuries. However, the road is long and considerable efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that they are able to live a life free from racial discrimination and suffering.
Appendix 1
Questionnaire
1. Are you an ardent reader?
· Yes
· No
2. How frequently do you read?
· Very frequent- at least a couple of books a week
· Regular- I read one book every week
· Infrequent – I read books occasionally
3. Do you have strong political views and opinions?
· Yes
· No
4. Have you read the book –Uncle Tom’s Cabin?
· Yes
· No
5. Do you feel affected by the story?
· Yes
· No
6. Would you recommend it to your friends or relatives?
· Yes
· No
7. Do you feel that African- Americans continue to be discriminated against?
· Yes
· No
· Undecided
8. Are the governmental efforts to eliminate discrimination effective?
· Yes
· No
· Maybe
9. Should there be more efforts to understand the root cause of discrimination so that it can be eradicated completely and effectively?
· Yes
· No
10. Are the studies into racial discrimination effective?
· Yes
· No
11. Should there be more sponsored studies on the topic?
· Yes
· No
References
Davila, F. (2002). Local News | Legacy of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin': Unintended lessons in racism | Seattle Times Newspaper. [online]
Kim, B. (1998). Rhetorical engagement with racism: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Llterator, 19(1), pp.65-78.
Parfait, C. (2007). The Publishing History of Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852-2002. 1st ed. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
Reid, M. (2008). Racial Profiling: Visualizing Racial Science on the Covers of Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852-1928. Nineteenth-Century Contexts, 30(4), pp.369-387.
Riss, A. (1994). Racial Essentialism and Family Values in "Uncle Tom's Cabin". American Quarterly, 46(4), p.513.
Stewart, J. (2008). Abolitionist politics and the coming of Civil War. 1st ed. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.
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