Topic Tuesday #79 2014/01/21 - "MLK & Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day. As I was driving for about 12 hours, I took the time to listen to Uncle Tom's Cabin through my Audible subscription. It has been many years I read the once banned book and I had paid it little attention since it was "required reading" and I was not one to like being told what to read. Now, with age and parenthood under me, I appreciate these classics perhaps as much as those dear teachers that made the lists.
I want to talk about it but I do not want to give spoilers. I will say that I have a sensitivity to slavery and the pain and loss of loved ones, in particular - children. I'm quite the sap and was weeping for several chapters.
The suffering of the (to use language from the story) negro, is the suffering of humanity. The telling of the tale is a glimpse of life in pre-Civil War America. The morality contained within and the religious machinations by the characters is handled between the issues of suffering and deliverance of Uncle Tom and his compatriots. The character development and switching of voice from third person (fourth wall breaking) to occasional first person lends a familiar air and really captures you into the story.
Given the gravity of the story and of course the deeds and dreams of Dr. King go hand in hand. The rise of equality has been a treacherous journey. There are still many regions where racial bigotry are as common as wearing mixed fabrics. As such, we must remain vigilant towards these shows of intolerance. The country continues to grow and move against inequality.
Have we learned how to treat our fellows?
I hope so.
And hey, read a book!