During a visitto Tennessee in 2017, Trump toured the Hermitage, laid a wreath at Jackson's tomb and called him the "people's president.". To stabilize the system, the government created the Federal Reserve System and redesigned national currency. Nothing short, I am sure, of broad structural change together with specific and targeted systemic interventions to aid Black women and Black communities. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The last time the portraits on America's paper currency got a major renovation was in 1928, when Andrew Jackson replaced Grover Cleveland as the face of the $20 bill. "The TreasuryDepartment doesn't have clear documentation," Kittell said. He also had disagreements with the Federal Reserve in terms of making paper money. , No Comment. Who will protect women from the courts and legislatures? On Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration was "exploring ways to speed up that effort, and thatits important the nations currency reflect the history and diversity of our country., Latest development: Biden accelerating move to put Harriet Tubman on $20 bill. No previous president had talked like that. Her work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, TIME, mental_floss, Popular Science and JSTOR Daily. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Jackson restored Americas confidence that our country was not merely a temporary experiment in democracy. It's a Sign of Disrespect A congressional staffer departs holding a visual aid following a news conference regarding the. Toward the end of the Obama administration, the Treasury Department recommended that President Andrew Jackson 's portrait on the $20 bill be replaced with one of Harriet Tubman, a black. He is considered one of the great US presidents. The possibilities are endless. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Third, Jackson was Americas most fiscally responsible president the only one to completely repay the federal debt. To the editor: President Trump made the absolute correct decision to keep Andrew Jackson on our $20 bill. For his part, Feller is a "complete agnostic." This stone has a mysterious past beyond British coronations, Ultimate Italy: 14 ways to see the country in a new light, 6 unforgettable Italy hotels, from Lake Como to Rome, A taste of Rioja, from crispy croquettas to piquillo peppers, Trek through this stunning European wilderness, Land of the lemurs: the race to save Madagascar's sacred forests. All that has changed. 7. As Congress pivots to debt, it shouldnt forget the inflation connection, On capital gains taxes, Biden should look back at history, Supreme Court to consider overruling Chevron doctrine, Cardin wont seek reelection, opening up Maryland Senate seat, McConnell insists hes sitting out debt talks to disbelief, Tucker Carlson, on leaked video, derides Fox streaming service, Senate rankings: Here are the 5 seats most likely to flip. There are, he said, few men who can for any great length of time enjoy office and power without being under the influence of feelings unfavorable to the faithful discharge of their public duties. The Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put Harriet Tubman on the front of the new $20 notes, Ms. Psaki said. A young New York senator, Martin. How do we reverse the trend? The Digital Canvas: How Online Art is Changing the Game, How To Use Your Creativity To Create A Space In Your Home You Love, The Most Popular Online Trends We Should Expect To See Continue, How to Come Up with a Research Paper Topic. By Daniel Feller Contributor April 22, 2016, at 12:15 p.m. 2022 U.S. Midterms Dispatch 3: Have Recent Primaries Changed Predictions for Fall? We dont need America to put Black women on its money. Abolitionists were those who sought to abolish the institution of slavery, through petitions, boycotts, speeches, literature and someadvocated violent means. Erin Blakemore Not only this, but Hamilton will not be gone completely. [T]he rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes., Fifth, Jackson presciently recognized the dangers of a deep state composed of perpetual officeholders. Updated: August 21, 2018 | Original: May 30, 2012. Removing just one of them after that long stretch looks like a deliberate dethronement, like pulling a statue down from the public square. Jackson could never accept that.. Contributing:Miriam Fauzia,Nicholas Wu, Ledyard King, Deborah Barfield Berry,Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg, Tubman, again, headed to the front of the $20 bill, It looks like Harriet Tubman is once again headed to the front of the $20 bill. Instead, Jackson was more of a populist figure, seen as a "champion of the working class against the business community." For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? , Victoria Jones Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? He felt that rotation of office, rather than permanent tenure, should be the principle in a democracy. 1, Obama at 18; Kennedy judged most overrated, White House brings back Andrew Jacksons Big Block of Cheese Day with virtual open house. But, he said: "I think the debate is healthy. Gift Article. We have been putting dead white statesmen on our coins for so long that its been unquestioned for some time now, says a Jackson scholar. The U.S. Department of Treasury has not given a clear explanation about this particular speculation, but observers have pointed out that Jacksons strong resistance to the Central Bank may have actually played a big part in the decision of the Federal Reserve to put his face on the 20-dollar bill and proceed with circulating such paper-based money. The following are 7 reasons why Andrew Jackson should be removed from the 20 dollar bill, and replaced with a woman. The $20 note features subtle background colors of green and peach. Published April 20, 2016 6 min read Nearly 200 years after his death, Andrew Jackson is stepping away from the United States' cultural consciousness. First, Jackson was the first man of humble origins to rise to the presidency, becoming a great war hero along the way. Because, really, fellow citizens, we have better things to argue about than this. Not long ago there was serious talk of replacing him with Ronald Reagan. The currency process, explained: Should the Harriet Tubman $20 bill be delayed? The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill, by Philip Leigh, opinion contributor - 09/26/19 11:00 AM ET, More than 800,000 could flee Sudan amid fighting, UN warns, Biden: Taxpayers not on the hook for First Republic failure, How an Uncommon Table can help bring our divided nation together, Washington Gov. His 1829 inauguration was unprecedented: 10,000 people, mostly commoners, attended, many from the West and South. The first stab at an impartial biography of the president makes that pretty clear. Andrew Jackson in some sense is an ironic placement on any paper currency in the United States. 2 hours of sleep? All Rights Reserved. Consider that just weeks ago, an angry insurrectionist white mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, carrying, among other items, the Confederate flag. She died there in 1913 and was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery. And the touchstone statement of his presidency, his 1832 veto of the Bank of the United States, may likewise still speak to us. Not even the treasury knows why he was chosen all those years ago to replace Cleveland. What's interesting is that, no matter who has been proposed in his stead, Jackson not Washington, Jefferson or Lincoln has always been the prime target for removal. How Is Sports Betting Legislation Increasing Female Bettors? This post initially went up last year. The Washington Posts Steven Mufson calls the decision to push aside Hamilton in favor of a woman on the $10 bill instead of replacing Jackson on the $20 bill a grave historical injustice.. Harriet Tubmans face on the U.S. $20 bill. He proposed term limits for elected officials and replaced about 15 percent of the bureaucrats who had been appointed by earlier administrations. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. From the late 19th century through the 1960s, Feller said, Jackson was seen by most Americans as a "champion of the common man, a symbol of democracy," and "second only to Abraham Lincoln as the champion of the perpetual union" of the United States of America. On the heels of Kamala Harris historic ascension to the Vice-Presidency, questions about the politics of representation figure heavily in our political discussions and calculations. The announcement by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew that Harriet Tubman will take the place of Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill has caused some grumbling. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. Tubman claimed she never lost a passenger. And they don't constrict their choices to statesmen, or even to politically symbolic figures like Harriet Tubman. Brands, of the University of Texas at Austin, explainsin his book, Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times: The northern states had abandoned slavery peacefully when a majority of voters there decided slavery no longer served their interests. Many people have only speculations about why Andrew Jackson is featured on this particular bill. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. How do you market an icon? But by . American lore suggests that the Confederate flag had never previously entered the U.S. Capitol, even during the Civil War. About one-tenth of U.S. paper notes being circulated are 20-dollar bills. Mr. Trump professed to be a fan of Andrew Jackson, a fellow populist, and was a fierce opponent of altering historical images and statues. ", "One thing that it can lead to is an understanding that some of these things are more complicated," Feller said. Commentators like Slates Jillian Keenan have called for his removal from the $20, arguing that Andrew Jackson engineered a genocide. The American twenty dollar bill has been referred to as a "Jackson" for almost an entire century, since seventh president Andrew Jackson was originally placed on the bill in 1928. Jackson's legacy can and should contain that. The last time a portrait on a bill was changed was in 1929,when Alexander Hamilton was placed on the front of the $10 bill, replacing Jackson. The fact that Andrew Jackson was deemed worthy of a place on a bill when he was put there in 1928 doesn't give him a right to stay forever. It could be Jackson's popularity as a stamp portrait selection that helps explain how he ended up on so much currency through the decades. America certainly owes a debt to Black people, but this is not the way to repay it. Why is Andrew Jackson--a staunch opponent of paper money--featured on the $20 bill? He made Indian removal a leading priority, he pursued it relentlessly, and he took pride in its achievement. Still, no matter how we judge Jackson's role, we cannot say that the present fixation on Indian removal distorts history, because Jackson shared that fixation himself. A Treasury spokeswoman said that she had no information to share on when a new design of the $20 bill might be released. In 1928, the green busts got reshuffled. Many Americans, across the racial spectrum, are excited about this tribute to Tubman. Biden press secretary Jen Psaki says the Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put the 19th century abolitionist leader on the $20 bill. The inquiry found no wrongdoing by Mr. Mnuchin. Still, those other Jacksons may be worth recalling as well. The decision to use Tubman's likeness was initially made by the Obama administration in 2016, but had been delayed by former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin under President Trump. The new design wasinitially scheduled for 2020, but stalledunder PresidentTrump, who called the move "pure political correctness," and saidat the timethat Jackson "had a great history. HesuggestedTubmancould be put on the $2 bill instead. | READ MORE. Grants Failed Presidency (2019). Previously, the plan had been for a woman to share the $10 with Alexander Hamilton. Terms of Use Who buys lion bones? But American money, and our national romance with it, is the root of so many of our national evils. "It's all for the good. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The Indian Removal Act he passed resulted in the Trail of Tears; a forced evacuation of the Cherokee people that led to the death over 5,000 of the tribes citizens. So does that mean he should stay on the $20? 5. Should the Harriet Tubman $20 bill be delayed? Too often America attempts to atone for racism through style and symbol rather than substance. Her image would replace Andrew Jackson, the notoriously racist President, known both for owning hundreds of slaves and for his brutal and genocidal policy of Indian removal. "The constant reminder of Andrew Jackson being glorified is sad and sickening to our people." Tubman on $20 bills shows connection between money, slavery Making the change on currency is. The Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put Harriet Tubman on the front of the new $20 notes. The initiative to replace Andrew Jackson came from a campaign called "Women. , erwin , Leave a comment. The Palmetto State accepted the compromise in 1833. In 2019,Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchinsaid the department needed to focus first on addinganti-counterfeiting steps and "security features." Andrew Jackson hated paper money. Jackson's importance in American history is beyond question. Firstly, one of the goals of the President Andrew Jackson was to give more power to the common person. Andrew Jackson didnt acknowledge the rights of Native Americans. Philip Leigh has worked as a computer industry stock analyst. She would later become known as the "Moses of her people.". | But hiselection in 1828 alsoushered in an era of popular democracy in the U.S., though it didn't include women or people of color. You have reached your limit of free articles. Nearly 200 years after his death,Andrew Jackson is stepping away from the United States' cultural consciousness. Privacy Statement Its true story is much more messy and complicated. The following are 7 reasons why Andrew Jackson should be removed from the 20 dollar bill, and replaced with a woman. n angry insurrectionist white mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, never previously entered the U.S. Capitol, Nearly a quarter of Black women live in poverty, Or create a free account to access more articles, Putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill Is Not a Sign of Progress. So, does the "atrocious saint" still belong on the $20? That said, Jackson never had a perfect reputation. He was also seen as a populist hero and champion of the working class for more than a century after he left office. Please be respectful of copyright. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine He shouldnt be on our currency., Those cries are increasing in number with the announcement that the next $10 bill will feature a woman. Why is Andrew Jackson--a staunch opponent of paper money--featured on the $20 bill? He eliminated wasteful spending and fired corrupt tax assessors for collecting personal bribes instead of taxes. I believe that representation matters, that it matters for a woman (with liberal values) to be president someday, that Black people and people of color should be in positions of leadership and decision-making in our government. While Andrew Jackson represents our past, women like Susan B. Antony and Harriet Tubman pointed the way towards our future, one of growing equality and the civil rights every citizen of this nation deserves, The global sports betting industry is dynamic and always changing, and Ohios sports betting sector is no exception., The Midterms continued on May 25, with four more primaries and a handful of notable run-offs in different, On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, primary elections took place in a number of states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina,, The Midterms in the United States in 2022 have not been the primary focus of people as of, Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers, 7 Reasons Why Andrew Jackson Needs To Be Removed From The 20 Dollar bill. The same faces all leading statesmen have been on our bills for more than 80 years now. To force the issue was to assert that the people couldnt be trusted with political powers. Let the choosing begin! He should remain on the $20 bill, but on the flip side because there's a flip side of the story. Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? Few people would quarrel with the Treasury's decision Thursday to honor a distinguished woman with a spot on one of the most commonly used bills of America's currency. And if she agreed to the honor, what would she ask for in return? 4. Thatsame year, bills were cut down in size to the size they are now:2.61 inches wide and 6.14 inches long. So were exploring ways to speed up that effort. Anti-slavery crusader Harriet Tubman is seen in a picture from the Library of Congress taken by photographer H.B. Historical interest always reflects current concerns, and most Americans simply did not recognize Indian removal as a major issue. I say lore because we all know that even if the symbol of the Confederacy had never been in the Capitol, Confederate ideas have found a hearty welcome there both in the past and in the present. The choice of Jackson for that popular bill has long been a source of controversy particularly among the Native American tribes who were forced to relocate to Oklahoma and give their land to white Southerners under the Indian Removal Act. As president, Andrew Jackson refused to acknowledge paper money as a real form of currency, and instead favored gold and silver. These two acts were awful because he made the Native Americans travel . He's heard "whole sentences" in her statements that are "almost directly quoted" fromJackson, including his famous bank-veto document. When the Cherokee tribe was being threatened by the state of George to leave their land, they sued the state in the supreme court case of Worcester v Georgia. But he was put on the twenty-dollar bill for a reason, not just randomly. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. T he yearlong attempt by the U.S. Treasury Department to select a woman whose face will appear on future American banknotes came to a . Trump has long alluded toJackson asone of his favorite presidents and selected a painting of Jacksonto be displayed in theOval Office, which Biden recently removed. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Reporter: The Obama administration initially had wanted to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, and the Trump administration dragged their feet on that. Hamilton, who started our nations economy, or Jackson, who almost destroyed it. Mr. Mnuchins decision to slow-walk the change drew backlash from some Democrats in Congress and triggered a probe from the Treasury inspector general about whether the process faced improper political interference. DeSantis critical of China, hazy on Ukraine as he charts foreign policy path, Harriet Tubman will now appear on the $20, New ranking of U.S. presidents puts Lincoln at No. No women or people of color have ever been pictured on a denomination of currency still in circulation, though $1 coins have previously been issued featuring Susan B. Anthony, a pioneer of the women's suffrage movement,and Sacagawea, theShoshone woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition across the Louisiana Territory. The placement of Jackson on the $20 bill is considered ironic; as president, he vehemently opposed both the National Bank and use of paper money. Help us improve. Putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill Is Not a Sign of Progress. Tags: Andrew Jackson, money, history, President, Editorial Cartoons on the 2016 Presidential Elections. The Biden administration is speeding up the effort to feature a new face on the $20 bill: abolitionist hero Harriet Tubman. Although not everyone has agreed with the campaign or over who, if anyone, should have the honor of replacing Jackson it's easy to find reasons to suggest that he is overdue for retirement from the $20. His blatant disrespect of the Cherokee Nation underscores the inappropriateness of his presence on our currency in a modern, more enlightened era. They are apt to acquire a habit of looking with indifference upon the public interests.. He will share the bill with a woman, meaning that in reality, a woman will not have a bill all to herself. Tubman escaped slavery using the Underground Railroad in 1849 and later became a"conductor" who helped free dozens ofother enslaved people. (Our Latina sisters often fare worse.). The little-known history of the Florida panther. President Jackson left a complicated legacy worth remembering, even if he does get booted off the$20.