| − | '''Uncle Tom''' was a character in the anti-[[slavery]] [[novel]] ''[[Uncle Tom's Cabin]]'', written by [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]] in the mid 1800's. In the novel, Uncle Tom is a slave who, due to the debts of his owning family, is sold to a slave trader, and eventually to Simon Legree. After Uncle Tom refuses to whip another slave on the plantation, Legree resolves to crush his spirit and devotion to [[God]]. On the verge of giving up and renouncing his [[faith]], Tom has visions of [[Jesus]] and Eva, a white girl he befriended earlier in the novel, and remains true to his faith. After encouraging other slaves to escape, he is confronted by Legree who demands Tom tell him where they are. When Tom refuses again, he is beaten to death by Simon Legree. | + | '''Uncle Tom''' was a character in the anti-[[slavery]] [[novel]] ''[[Uncle Tom's Cabin]]'', written by [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]] in the mid 1800s. In the novel, Uncle Tom is a slave who, due to the debts of his owning family, is sold to a slave trader, and eventually to Simon Legree. After Uncle Tom refuses to whip another slave on the plantation, Legree resolves to crush his spirit and devotion to [[God]]. On the verge of giving up and renouncing his [[faith]], Tom has visions of [[Jesus]] and Eva, a white girl he befriended earlier in the novel, and remains true to his faith. After encouraging other slaves to escape, he is confronted by Legree who demands Tom tell him where they are. When Tom refuses again, he is beaten to death by Simon Legree. |
| | This use has been criticized by others who point out that Uncle Tom was not submissive, but was beaten to death for refusing to submit. They also dislike the term as it suggests a black/white divide that implies interracial communication and friendship is improper. | | This use has been criticized by others who point out that Uncle Tom was not submissive, but was beaten to death for refusing to submit. They also dislike the term as it suggests a black/white divide that implies interracial communication and friendship is improper. |