Persistence

"When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you couldn't hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that's just the place and time that the tide will turn." –Harriet Beecher Stowe, author and abolitionist

That quote was taken from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s, book Uncle Tom's Cabin written in 1852. Her novel vividly portrayed the brutal realities of slavery.

She humanized the enslaved people and help galvanize her readers in the anti-slavery movement, especially in the Northern United States.

To say she was an influential voice in the anti-slavery movement is an understatement.

Her words and vivid descriptions of slavery transformed the abstract political debates of the day into personal moral concerns, making the issue of slavery relatable and urgent to millions of readers.

Harriette Beecher Stowe demonstrated resilience in the face of extreme adversity.

When everything seems to go wrong, we must persist – because the tide can turn when it feels hardest.

From her anti-slavery movement, we learn the importance of standing up for justice, even when it's difficult or very unpopular.

In today’s divided world, making a difference requires pushing through challenges, advocating for what’s right, and having faith that change is possible.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's life and work gives us several lessons we should apply today to help bridge our divided country and seek positive change…especially when it’s very uncomfortable!

Persevere
Stowe’s famous quote reminds us never to give up when things seem impossible. In our divided world, perseverance is absolutely necessary. When faced with challenges or setbacks, we must push forward and be that catalyst for change.

The Power of One Voice
She used her writing as a tool to expose injustices and shift public opinion. Whether through our writing, our art, our activism, or just everyday conversations, we can use our voices to address and highlight issues to encourage empathy and maybe spark broader positive social change.

Humanize Complex Issues
By transforming the abstract political debate over slavery into deeply personal stories of human suffering and resilience, Stowe made it impossible for many readers to ignore the harsh realities of slavery. Today, when we focus on the human impact behind divisive issues like inequality, discrimination, or conflict, maybe we can build bridges between communities and bring about mutual understanding.

Educate and Inform
Her work was not only a story but a tool for education. In this time of information overload and misinformation, a commitment to learning and sharing well-researched, honest accounts of social issues is very important. First, we must educate ourselves and then share with others. Education helps to reduce prejudice and promote justice.

Tell the Story
Your story, their story, can touch hearts and change minds. In our polarized society, storytelling is still a powerful tool to break down barriers, build empathy, and unite people around common human experiences.

Courage and Conviction
Stowe demonstrated that standing up for what is right—even when it is unpopular—can lead to massive change... even when the pendulum appears to swing ever so slowly.

Final Thoughts

Harriet Beecher Stowe used her writings to shine a light on the brutal realities of slavery, helping to reshape public opinion and contributing significantly to the anti-slavery movement in the United States.

Review your dreams and goals.

Is there any room, any idea, anything that you can do to reduce the divisiveness you’re experiencing…just in our yown backyard?

Extend an olive branch. Shovel snow from their walkway. Attend community meetings to listen to the opposition and learn why they think that way… and be silent. Smile as you drive by.

Read Uncle Tom’s Cabin and get fired up!