BY ELIZABETH VALENTIN
Harriet Tubman’s name has been in the news as former Secretary of the Treasury, Jacob Lew, announced in April of 2016 that she would be taking the place of Andrew Jackson on the twenty dollar bill. However, the Trump administration may be putting a stop to this.
In an aired interview with CNBC, current Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin, referenced the change by saying it was something to be looked into, and that “It’s not something I’m focused on right now.” This sparked immediate controversy as women and people of color took to social media in order to express their outrage. This news comes only shortly after sparks of violence and racism have begun to consume our nation.
The news that Tubman may not be taking the face of the twenty dollar bill is disappointing. In the wake of ongoing racism that the country has been facing, it is important to note that Jackson was a slave owner. While Jackson was president, he initiated the infamous Indian removal policy, known as the Trail of Tears. The policy forced Cherokee Indian’s to give up their land that was east of the Mississippi River. The policy displaced the vast majority of the 125,000 Native Americans in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida.
Presently, all of the people featured on all of American currency are white men. The idea of including women and people of color, particularly civil rights leaders, on the currency allows for the celebration of the diversity that makes up America. Jackson was a man who did not support civil rights.
Tubman and other civil rights activists and leaders have significantly shaped American history. These people fought to create a more tolerant nation and should be featured on the currency of the country that they shaped.
A counter argument to the change in currency is that by changing the currency, we’re no longer acknowledging the significance of people like Jackson in American history. This argument does not take into account that a large portion of America’s history is forgotten and neglected. Black history and the history of people of color as Americans is American history and should be acknowledged in the same way that white history is recognized in this country.
By including women and people of color on American currency, it allows for better representation of the people who make up America. In addition, higher levels of representation have been proven to be beneficial in the identification of young girls and children of color. Seeing someone that looks like them who has been successful gives them a person to look up to and strive to be like.
Replacing the faces of the currency to significant women and people of color also opens a conversation that provides an opportunity to learn about the history of America. Seeing Tubman’s image on the twenty dollar bill may spark a question in a child’s mind, which they will ask their parents. This will allow for the child to learn about the ways in which women and people of color have significantly impacted the country that they live in.
Mnuchin claims that the only times that currency can be changed in any way is to prevent counterfeiting. However, if this is the reason he is giving, the problem could be resolved by putting Tubman onto the bill the next time that the currency is changed.
