Your Morning Harriet
For Wednesday, June 11th, 2025
Week 118 of our regular morning feature here at Friedman of the Plains Worldwide in which we highlight the great words and works of great men and women, as well as those who are insufferable, delusional, and even fictional.
This Week Harriet Beecher Stowe
“It is with the oppressed, enslaved, African race that I cast in my lot; and if I wished anything, I would wish myself two shades darker, rather than one lighter.” — Uncle Tom’s Cabin
I live in HB Stowe's hometown, and even now, so long after the Civil War, I see a black face here only occasionally. I suspect that her heart was in the right place, but there is nothing noble in wishing that you could have shared the suffering on the Titanic.
When I was a yute I used to dream that in some future melting pot we would all be several shades darker, with slightly epicanthic eyelids, and wider mouths. Nothing to highlight anyone as Other.
Ah, but I was so much younger then, I'm older than that now... h/t Bob