Uncle Tom's Cabin

I just finished Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. I was prepared to not like it. I read it out of obligation, like it was one of those books every one should read. I found it very unsettling, inspiring, thought provoking and well written.

I will have to think about it for a while, but it did change my perspective on thinking of my son as African-American. There was some discussion on several of the adoption email loops about whether or not our Ethiopian children were African, African-American, or what. While it is true that Nesradine's ancestors were never slaves owned by Americans, he still shares the history of Africa with those that were brought to America as slaves. America during the slave years not only oppressed the Africans that they managed to steal, they oppressed the whole continent. While much has changed, given the global standing of America and Africa there is still much oppression to be answered for.

I am going to have my girls read this book. It is not easy to read, but they need to see why racism is so hideous. They also need to see how God uses suffering to bring glory to Himself. I found myself relating way too much with Miss Ophelia. I realized more and more how much power there is in love.