Move over, Old Hickory.
Harriet Tubman is going to become the well-deserved face on one U.S. currency bill.
It’s not that former President Andrew Jackson wasn’t a consequential man during his two terms in the White House. He does, however, have a checkered history. Yes he was a war hero.
However, theĀ Trail of Tears got its name for good reason. Jackson was responsible for driving Native Americans from their land, causing the deaths of countless numbers of Cherokee citizens. Is that a legacy to make one proud? No.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-harriet-tubman-20-bill-20160420-story.html
Tubman’s contribution is quite different. She was a leader in the Underground Railroad that helped lead enslaved Americans to freedom. She was a tireless fighter for African-Americans’ rights at a time when such advocacy put its champions — such as Tubman — at enormous risk of death.
Old Hickory will be continue to have his face on the back of the $20 bill. Tubman, though, is going to be on he front side.
In a related matter, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew also announced that one of his predecessors, Andrew Hamilton, will remain on the $10 bill. Good call there.
As for the $5 bill, do not even think about replacing Honest Abe Lincoln with anyone else. My goodness, the 16th president’s face is carved intoĀ Mount Rushmore.