By: Patrick Kho, Year 10
Today, the ubiquitous $20 bill is used to purchase things like fresh pepper grinders, fire extinguishers and cast iron skillets. Thus, given the great things that this bill does for the American people each day, it’s only fitting that the portrait of an influential historical figure should be celebrated on such a sublime piece of paper. Anything otherwise is a blatant insult to the American currency. Today, the inspiring story of an orphan, turned soldier, turned president is celebrated on that exact $20 bill.
Andrew Jackson is an image of hope for lower-class Americans. A man that legally opened the door for any American, of any economic background, to participate in politics. A man who proved that through hard work, your dreams can be achieved. A man whose image is proof of the American Dream itself. As the founder of the Democratic Party, Jackson practiced the same great philosophy that is held by many politicians today: to be the voice of the people. America’s 7th president did a lot in his lifetime, and his work still reflects on what his political party does today.
However, despite the great impact he had on the government today, Andrew Jackson was also an ethnic cleanser, a racist and a slave-owner. He founded the Democratic Party, which in its early days, stood for the cruel treatment of black Americans and the Ku Klux Klan. As president, he forced thousands of Native Americans to travel west, where many froze to death or starved. His social policies were considered controversial even to the already racist, white majority of the 1830s. This is precisely why he will be replaced with Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.
Thanks to the many requests of activists, it was on the 20th of April, 2016 that the (now) ex-secretary of treasury, Jack Lew, announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. But reports say that it would take more than a decade for anyone to hold the portrait of a civil rights leader, abolitionist and former slave, who will also be the first coloured person and female on any American dollar bill (for reasons such as counterfeit prevention).
There are a million reasons why Harriet Tubman is incomparably more qualified, worthy and deserving of having her portrait on the $20 bill. Her story is a brave one, and she certainly made America the loving place of acceptance and freedom that it is today. Harriet was born a slave in Maryland, and suffered brutal conditions for 19 years. Courageously, she ran away from her plantation to Philadelphia, the promised land. But with her determination and the desire for her people’s freedom, she went back to other plantations (including her own), and helped hundreds of slaves escape from their cruel owners through the Underground Railroad, a travel route controlled by many of those who were anti-slavery. She also worked as a Union army scout and fought for the imposition of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Harriet Tubman was an influential woman who still inspires many civil rights activists today. Being the first coloured person and woman on a paper bill, she would give many American people of colour an image of hope that they have always longed for. She adds flair to the group of historical figures whose faces are immortalised on money, all of which are white men. Also, with the dispersion of immigrants through America, it will prove to be worthwhile for these types of people to feel empowered and have brave role models on paper bills, such as Tubman herself. Americans of minority backgrounds, specifically those who are black and female, will be proud of who they are, and see that the contributions of coloured and female Americans can finally begin to be held in the same regard as the white founding fathers. While Jackson was a president with good values, who for many people stood for freedom and truth, his faults shone darkly beneath his exterior.
Andrew Jackson shows many Americans that no matter who you are, through hard work and diligence, you can make your dreams come true. For that, the American people should thank him. But we still cannot forget the terrible crimes he committed on Native and African-American people during his presidential term. On the contrary, Harriet Tubman was an inspiring and amazing woman who made America what it is today. As a civil rights activist and abolitionist, she gave women and minorities the rights they have today that allowed them to prosper and succeed. She fought for the freedom of her people and wiped out the demon of slavery from her country. Tubman has inspired and influenced many people in the past and today. Having her on the $20 bill would give the recognition that her work deserves. Her image on the $20 bill will symbolise how far America has progressed with equality among people of different ethnic backgrounds. From African Americans being slaves in the 19th century, to beginning to be seen as equals in the 21st today, America will prove that it has the ability to truly become the loving place of acceptance it always dreamed of being.
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