How the World is Reacting to Harriet Tubman on the $20

You may have heard that some very big changes are coming to America’s currency, and of course, a lot of people have plenty to say about it.

There has been some talk in recent years of changing the “faces” of a few American banknotes in order to make them more inclusive of the various influential people in the country’s history, specifically women and people of color.

The first round of change is coming to the $20 bill, which currently features America’s 7thpresident, Andrew Jackson. Soon, however, President Jackson will be replaced with none other than Harriet Tubman, a woman who is revered by many as a historical hero, and the switch causing quite a stir.

Why We Need the Change

Placing Harriet Tubman’s portrait on the front of the $20 bill is simply the first of many changes. In fact, imminent changes are also coming for the $10 and $5 bills, but not for another few years as announced by Treasury Secretary of State, Jack Lew. One of the leading reasons why America’s money is changing is because there has been talk, and even demand for women to be incorporated on our currency. All-American money, save the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, that features a portrait depicts a prominent (white) male figure in history such as Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin. Though there is nothing overtly wrong with this, it does throw into sharp relief how male-centered the American culture is, and why a change is needed.

In America’s history as well as world history, women have played major roles in making positive, and often significant, change. Unfortunately, they are seldom recognized for doing so, and many of them go unnoticed. This push to depict women on American currency is a step forward in acknowledging that women, like men, should be recognized for their efforts to bring necessary and positive change into the world.

Harriet Tubman, who died at the age of 91 in 1913, is best known for her work in helping hundreds of slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. She had escaped slavery herself, which lead her to fight so hard for the lives of those made servants in a new land. After the slaves were officially freed following the Emancipation Proclamation, Tubman became a devoted supporter of a woman’s right to vote. Tubman will be the very first black woman to ever appear on an American banknote.

How the World is Reacting: Opposite Sides of the Fence

The reactions to Tubman being placed on the $20 bill are mostly positive worldwide, but there are still many individuals who find the change both unnecessary and even politically correct. In fact, many notable conservatives have reacted negatively to the news of Tubman gracing the $20, including Donald Trump and Ben Carson. In fact, Trump was quoted in saying that the change is “pure political correctness.” Still others are taken a different issue with the move.

The Los Angeles Times recently published an article relaying the reaction of their various readers to Harriet Tubman being placed on the $20. While most reactions were positive, a sizable amount of readers found the move unnecessary and Tubman herself unworthy of the honor. The article outlined how some feel that it would be better to portray a “historically significant American Indian” due to President Jackson’s view on the treatment of Native Americans. Still others defended Jackson, claiming that he should not be booted from the bill at all. To read the article in its entirety, go here.

Despite the public outcry from a sizeable group, most reactions have been overwhelming positive. Fans of Tubman, including Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, have shown unwaveringsupport and praise, calling Tubman “deserving,” a “hero,” and admiring the change overall. In fact, the move has been viewed as both served justice and a huge step towards recognizing influential women.

If you want to see even more reactions across the globe, Twitter has some of the best.

Harriet is Here to Stay

Overall, many view this change as positive and a serious advancement in global and American recognition of both women and people of color. Over time, even more changes may come to American currency such as those slated to come in the next 5-10 years with the $5 and $10 bills, as well as the different currencies around the world.

While some may still disagree, this change is nothing new. Currency all over the world is alwayschanging and growing, being redesigned and rebranded to depict important moments of history, with many of these moments becoming more and more inclusive of different people types. It seems that America is, slowly but surely, joining the trend.

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Posted on May 10, 2016 by Abdullah Beydoun