The debate surrounding the redesign of U.S. currency, particularly the $20 bill, has often centered on which historical figures best represent the nation's values and achievements. While Andrew Jackson, a figure inextricably linked to the forced removal of Native Americans, currently adorns the bill, a compelling case exists for replacing him with Harriet Tubman. Tubman, a conductor on the Underground Railroad and a fierce abolitionist, embodies courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of freedom in a way that resonates deeply with the American ideal. Placing her image on the $20 bill would not only rectify a historical oversight but also serve as a powerful, daily reminder of the struggle for liberation and the progress, however incomplete, that the nation has made.
Harriet Tubman’s life story is a profound testament to human bravery and determination. Born into slavery around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, she experienced firsthand the brutality and dehumanization inherent in the system. In 1849, she escaped to freedom in Philadelphia, but her personal liberation was not enough. Driven by an unwavering commitment to her family and fellow enslaved people, Tubman returned to the South approximately thirteen times over the next decade. Under the cover of darkness, she guided an estimated seventy enslaved people to freedom, utilizing the clandestine network known as the Underground Railroad. Her meticulous planning, daring rescues, and absolute refusal to leave anyone behind earned her the moniker "Moses" among those she liberated. This level of selfless dedication, risking her own hard-won freedom repeatedly for others, sets her apart as an unparalleled figure of American heroism.
Beyond her role as a conductor, Tubman was a staunch advocate for human rights and equality throughout her life. During the Civil War, she served the Union Army as a cook, nurse, and, most remarkably, an armed scout and spy. Her intelligence gathering and strategic guidance were crucial in several military operations, most notably the Combahee River Raid in 1863. This raid, led by Colonel James Montgomery and with Tubman’s vital assistance, liberated over 700 enslaved people. After the war, she continued her activism, advocating for women's suffrage and establishing a home for aged and indigent African Americans in Auburn, New York. Her life’s work spanned decades and encompassed multiple facets of the fight for justice, demonstrating a holistic commitment to a more equitable society.
The presence of Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill presents a significant dissonance with the nation's purported ideals of liberty and justice for all. Jackson, a military hero and seventh U.S. President, is also remembered for his role in the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the forced displacement and death of thousands of Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw people on the Trail of Tears. His inclusion on currency, therefore, implicitly honors a legacy of oppression and dispossession that stands in stark contrast to the principles of freedom and equality that the United States claims to champion. Replacing him with Harriet Tubman would signal a conscious effort to re-evaluate and re-center American historical narratives, acknowledging the contributions of those who fought against injustice rather than those who perpetuated it.
Furthermore, placing Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill offers a tangible and accessible way to educate current and future generations about her extraordinary contributions. Currency circulates widely, reaching every corner of the nation and touching the lives of millions daily. Her image would serve as a constant, visual reminder of the courage required to resist tyranny and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It would provide an opportunity for conversation, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of American history, particularly the central role that the struggle against slavery played in shaping the nation. In a society still grappling with the legacies of racism and inequality, Tubman’s presence on such a ubiquitous symbol of commerce and national identity would be a powerful statement of progress and a commitment to a more inclusive future.