In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to write an article about the discussion over Harriet Tubman possibly being put on the $20 bill. As an intersectional feminist, to me, it seemed like such an amazing accomplishment for both Black and oppressed peoples alike if Tubman were to be put on the twenty. For those who do not know, Harriet Tubman was a Black woman born into slavery, escaped to freedom, and then helped guide hundreds of other enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
However, upon further investigating, I found that there are actually multiple perspectives on this, and not all of them advocate for Tubman to replace Andrew Jackson on the bill. So, before I write any further I want to state this: I am writing this article from the perspective of a cisgender, white, heterosexual, woman. Though I consider myself to be an intersectional feminist, as previously stated, I understand my personal experiences and perspectives do not take into account how it would feel to be a Black woman regarding this topic of conversation. I will present both sides of this debate and give my personal opinion, but at the end of the day, I will always choose to uplift the voices of the oppressed and attempt to be an ally to oppressed communities. Basically, my point is this: Black people, and Black women especially, should be the ones to decide whether or not Harriet Tubman goes on the $20 bill.
This proposal stems back to the Obama administration and was re-introduced by the Biden administration only a few weeks into Biden’s term. Though this initiative could have been further along by now, the Trump administration halted the progress. Donald Trump made it clear he was totally against this idea because he is fond of former President Jackson. However, a large portion of Americans are not fans of Jackson’s legacy: he was a slave owner and forced the migration of thousands of Native Americans as well as contributed to the destruction of their culture. President Biden is currently pushing for the new $20 bill through his Treasury department. The new $20 bill design would have Harriet Tubman’s face on the front, and a statue of former President Andrew Jackson on the back.
“It’s important that our money reflect the history and diversity of our country,” said Jen Psaki in a New York Times article written by Alan Rappeport.
However, not everyone believes this is an accurate reflection of American history. More radical progressives believe that putting Tubman on the currency of our country is horribly offensive and ignorant to the fact that Black people, including Tubman, were once considered currency themselves. People believe that simply putting Tubman’s face on the bill does not further the progress of the Black community in the United States. The Biden administration is handling it as symbolic, yet this act offends many Black people in this country. It is disgustingly ironic that Harriet Tubman’s face and legacy could possibly be a part of something she worked her entire life to dismantle. American capitalism has killed Black and enslaved people since the founding of our country, so what good would it do to display a Black woman on American currency when the American system continues to discriminate against oppressed people to this day? I personally find it horrific that the Biden administration would even think to place an African-American woman who was enslaved on the same currency as a notorious slaveholder.
TIME journalist Britney Cooper’s article titled, “Putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill Is Not a Sign of Progress. It’s a Sign of Disrespect” ended with a quote that I found fitting to end my article with as well. It says it all.
“Too often America attempts to atone for racism through style and symbol rather than substance. We don’t need America to put Black women on its money. We need America to put its money on Black women.”