Will Harriet Tubman Be On The 20 Dollar Bill
Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. She was born into slavery but managed to escape and subsequently made thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. She also served as a spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Despite her significant contributions to American history, Harriet Tubman has yet to be honored on any U.S. currency. However, in 2016, the U.S. Treasury announced plans to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, replacing former President Andrew Jackson.
The Plan to Put Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill
The decision to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill was made during the Obama administration in 2016. The plan was to have her face appear on the front of the bill, while the back would feature an image of the White House and an image of Andrew Jackson, who would be moved to the back of the bill.
However, the plans were delayed during the Trump administration, with then-Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin citing technical reasons for the postponement.
Current Status of the Plan
As of now, there is no official timeline for when Harriet Tubman will appear on the $20 bill. However, President Joe Biden has expressed his support for the plan and has stated that the Treasury Department is working on resuming efforts to put Tubman on the $20 bill.
In addition, the Biden administration has expressed its commitment to addressing systemic racism in the United States, and honoring Harriet Tubman on U.S. currency would be a significant step in that direction.
Controversy Surrounding the Plan
The plan to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill has faced criticism from some individuals who believe that Andrew Jackson should not be removed from the bill. Jackson, who served as the seventh president of the United States, has been criticized for his treatment of Native Americans and his support of slavery.
However, supporters of the plan argue that Harriet Tubman's contributions to American history far outweigh any positive contributions that Andrew Jackson may have made. In addition, the U.S. Treasury has stated that the redesign of the $20 bill is meant to address issues of gender and racial inequality in U.S. currency.
Conclusion
Despite delays and controversy, the plan to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill remains in motion. If and when it is implemented, it will be a significant step in recognizing the contributions of African Americans to American history and addressing issues of inequality in U.S. currency.