Why is "Uncle Tom" a slur?

by tagjohnson

I've read the book Uncle Tom's Cabin, many years ago in fact and for the life of me I can't figure out why "Uncle Tom" is a pejorative. He's described as a mature, adult "man's man" who covers the ground walks on. He's the hero of the book who is murdered for helping other slaves escape. So why is "Uncle Tom" a slur?

grassytoes

I'm glad you asked this, because I'm now having fun reading the answers from the same question that has been ask previously. But, you should try that search :)

Uncle Tom of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" stands up for his beliefs, helps other slaves escape and is killed after refusing to divulge their location to his master. How did "Uncle Tom" become an epithet for a black person who betrays or abandons the African American community?

Answered by u/sunagainstgold

Edit: and the response by u/Bananasauru5rex is also gold, imo