this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2024
215 points (89.7% liked)

Showerthoughts

30023 readers
622 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
top 32 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world 44 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Uncle Tom had his issues, but he was the opposite of hateful.

[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 52 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Swap Uncle Tom for Uncle Ruckus from Boondocks and it would be more accurate.

[–] nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 21 points 1 month ago

No relation.

[–] yesman@lemmy.world 34 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Everyone assumes that Uncle Tom was a character like Sam Jackson's Stephen from "Django Unchained" or Uncle Ruckus from "Boondocks". The character in the book is nothing like this. In fact, Uncle Tom is an admirable character. How this man's name became a slur is more complicated than it first appears.

The weird part about reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is that its advocacy literature, and most of us don't need much convincing that slavery is bad. But we need this context to understand that Uncle Tom was created by a white woman to appeal to a white audience because it's his tragedy that is supposed to persuade the reader. Uncle Tom didn't fashion himself to please some master like Calvin Candy, he was created whole-cloth as a device to awaken empathy of white audience. It's not his character, it's his raison d'être.

[–] Rooskie91@discuss.online 6 points 1 month ago

This guy reads.

[–] TheFriar@lemm.ee 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Why use that description of race? It’s the word used back then, but not today.

[–] finitebanjo@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I believe its being used in the same contextual format as it would the time period of Uncle Tom, similarly to how quotes work.

You shouldn't censor history.

[–] TheFriar@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago

No, but it’s a shower thought. If it were a quote, I wouldn’t have said anything.

[–] kjenney@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Most Americans are apparently oblivious to the state of affairs. The problem is the lack of accountability across the board. There are stupid policies of both parties. Taking away people's rights is no joke, though.

[–] finitebanjo@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago

Oof Ouch my both sides

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 5 points 1 month ago