Uncle Tom

No other slanderous put down carries more weight than to be called an "Uncle Tom." In short, the term "Uncle Tom" is used to describe "a black man considered to be excessively obedient or servile." However, as is often the case, most people do not know who Uncle Tom truly was. Here is a transcript of a conversation between two black men, George and Uncle Ward, from an old television show called "The Jeffersons" breaking down the truth about Uncle Tom. The particular episode from which this is taken from is described as "Louise's Uncle Ward visits the Jeffersons, but George derisively refers to him as an "Uncle Tom" for having worked as a butler for many years." Here is the conversation:

Uncle Ward: Do you mind if I serve myself a cup of coffee?
George:  Nobody serves better than you! (Laughter)
Uncle Ward: Tell me something, George. You like to use the words "Uncle Tom" a lot.
George: Only when it fits.
Uncle Ward: Do you know who Uncle Tom really was?
George: Sure, he was that dumb n****r who used to thank Simon Legree for whipping him. (Laughter)
Uncle Ward:  Wrong! That's another one of those lies about our people that's been accepted as truth.
George:  Who was he then? Superfly in disguise? (Laughter)
Uncle Ward:  No, George. In real life, Uncle Tom was a slave named Josiah Henson who escaped and walked all the way from Kentucky to Canada with his wife and children. And there he started the first manual training school for our people.
George:  How you know that (sic)?
Uncle Ward:  I read. Sometimes I listen. You could do the same thing.
George:  (Grunts an acknowledgment)
Uncle Ward:  Have you heard of the Underground Railroad?
George:  Sure.
Uncle Ward:  Well, Josiah Henson helped a hundred slaves escape up north even before there was an Underground Railroad. He was a brave man. A great leader. And I'll tell you something else, George. I'd never call you an Uncle Tom. (Audience moans)
George: (Gives a humbling smirk) (Audience applauds)

Now, it is disputed whether or not Josiah Henson was the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. However, it is pretty clear that "Uncle Tom" is far from the derogatory character most today believe him to be. In today's society, from my understanding, the term, "Uncle Tom," is used to tear down black men who have a conservative view of politics and social issues. Personally, as a conservative, I have never been called an "Uncle Tom." However, I have been called a "white apologist," "sheltered," that I voted for "The Antichrist," and was once asked, "Do you have white friends?" And all of these insults came from my own relatives. Now, I don't say this to try and bring myself attention, or even to put down those people I am referring to, but to show you that these things are real. But, the slander doesn't stop there. It even finds its way into the subject of one's faith.

As a Christian who believes in what has been called the "Finality of the Cross" and the "Reality of the Resurrection," those who disagree with me can sometimes resort to their own brand of name-calling. In case you are unfamiliar with what these terms mean, it is simple. The "Finality of the Cross," just means that I believe a Christian doesn't have to ask God to forgive their sins. The "Reality of the Resurrection" is another way of saying that salvation is God restoring His Holy Spirit to a person when they accept Jesus Christ as their savior because Jesus' Resurrection makes it possible. Unfortunately, I have found that when you believe this way, especially the part about not having to ask God to forgive your sins, fellow Christians can begin hurling their own insults at you. A friend once told me that I was "preaching a license to sin." Others have said that I don't "believe in the Old Testament" because I don't believe Christians are obligated to obey the Law of Moses. Along those same lines, a pastor once called me an "Antinomian;" a fancy word for saying I am "against the Law." A fellow Christian said I am living a "dangerous life" because of my stance on forgiveness. Having been a Christian for over 20 years now, I have learned that these types of insults come with the territory of standing for my beliefs. It is no different with my social and political beliefs which are a fruit of my Christian beliefs. Jesus Christ said, "A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household (Matthew 10:36)." The Apostle Paul wrote, regarding his sufferings, that he was "in dangers from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers (2 Corinthians 11:26)." Basically, when you believe something that others don't you can have enemies in your own home and face dangers from everywhere else. And what can't go unnoticed is the fact that all of this hostility stems from a misconception. In the case of "Uncle Tom," he was believed to be a traitor to his own people when in fact he was the exact opposite. Those who have come against me are slandering me because they incorrectly believe I am teaching something that I am not. While I haven't always responded in a loving manner, my prayer is that those who come against me and those who share my beliefs, would take the advice of Uncle Ward and read and listen. Read the Bible, history and listen to the Holy Spirit. That is what I have done and try to continue to do. It is why I believe as I do. If that means I am an Uncle Tom, then I proudly accept the compliment. I would rather believe and share the truth at the cost of losing my family and friends, then to lie about what God has taught me and have to answer to Him.