Blurring the Line Between Money and Representation

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Noor Alam ('23)

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You probably touch George Washington’s face every day. If you were to pay close attention to the people represented on our currency, you would notice that they are presidents and Founding Fathers. The money in the United States is an omnipresent part of American lives, but we do not give much thought to whose face is on it or why that should be changed. Think about it this way: if a child were to look closely at U.S. currency, even if he or she did not know who these men were, he or she would see that they are people of importance in the history of this country. But are these the people we want to represent the United States? Is America nothing more than a bunch of politicians, presidents, and statesmen? These are crucial questions that Americans should be considering because recent discoveries about these White men suggest that they may not be ideal candidates for the face of our currency. Representation, in general, is critical, but the power money holds in this world creates a different type of importance, which gives the people represented on currency a unique significance. 

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Americans demonstrate what and whose achievements we value and who inspires us as a country by picturing certain objects or people on U.S. currency. Yet, the significant accomplishments and contributions of many of our citizens are not honored in this way. What does that say about privilege? Currently, hundreds of accomplishments by our population and contributions to our country are not reflected in our currency. What does that say about privilege? The choices we make by representing specific people, stories, and perspectives say a great deal about suppressing the people and parts of history that the United States cautiously selects to remain silent about to avoid conflict and uproar. Imagine the impact the United States could make on children all over the country who see people like themselves represented on the currency. Seeing people like themselves sends a message to kids in America that they can accomplish something similar or better and gives them hope for their futures. 

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There have been many conversations about Harriet Tubman’s taking Andrew Jackson’s place on the $20 bill. What does this mean? Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and a spy for the Union Army who risked her life to help save others in slavery. Tubman herself was born into slavery and fought for freedom every single day. Now compare her with Andrew Jackson. He was an Army general who served as a teenager in the Revolutionary War and led battles in 1812. He was later elected President of the United States. However, Jackson’s reputation can discredit his achievements. Andrew Jackson led many violent attacks against Native Americans, forcing their removal from the lands west of the Mississippi River, which resulted in the deaths of thousands on the journey along what became known as the Trail of Tears. There is a point at which we must ask ourselves if this man deserves to be represented on the most commonly used bill instead of someone else who might better reflect our country’s morals and values. As said before, Harriet Tubman would be an inspiration to young people all over this country who will finally see someone similar to themselves being represented for her successes and will strive to do the same. 

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However, some people could argue that putting Harriet Tubman, a former slave, on U.S. currency could be problematic. The United States and its economic system, known as capitalism, was built on the foundation of slavery. While putting a Black woman on U.S. currency may seem like an honor, it could very well be doing a disservice. People use money to pay for goods and services; it changes hands as people need to pay for what they want and need. Moreover, using Harriet Tubman, a woman whose labor was once exchanged for goods and services, may seem disrespectful. Throughout history, wars have been fought to stop using Black people to make a profit; therefore, putting Harriet Tubman on U.S. currency could be viewed as a step backward instead of forward. There are two sides to every story. Many people wanting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill are trying to honor a woman who fought for the freedom of hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children. Others are trying to prevent the image of a Black person’s being used for profit from being reinforced in the minds of millions of Americans. There are many things the United States government and individual Americans must consider before finalizing their decision, and it is essential to be educated on both sides of the story before forming an opinion. 

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In today’s world, money is power. Most bills circulating in the United States picture White men, including Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, a U.S. Supreme Court justice, and many presidents. Regardless of your opinion about putting a picture of Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, excluding women and people of color allows some U.S. citizens to think that only White men are capable of holding power and achieving success. So what is the holdup? 

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President Barack Obama announced the changing of the $20 bill in 2016, but Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNBC that his primary concern was not to change the face of the bill but to make sure American money could not easily be counterfeited; therefore, it was not something that he was focused on. Mnuchin went on to say, “The issues of why we change it will primarily relate to what we need to do for security purposes,” which was later clarified to mean that an updated version of the $20 bill will not be in circulation for another five years or so. On top of these very valid reasons, Mnuchin’s comments also suggested that he was equivocal about the importance of having the American hero, Harriet Tubman, replace President Andrew Jackson. His remarks throughout the CNBC interview tended to sound uncaring toward the reflection of the United States through its currency and the importance of acknowledging that this country is made up of both men and women who are of many colors, not just White. Barbara Ortiz Howard, founder of Women on 20s, makes a valid counterargument saying, “Security is mostly embodied in the advanced innovations in paper and ink that our money is printed on, not in the faces we choose to honor.” 

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Putting security aside, this change will unify the country. During Howard’s campaign to honor a woman on the $20 bill, she received support across the political spectrum, suggesting a much-needed change for the United States. "Democrats, as well as Republicans, called for the removal of Jackson and his replacement by a woman," she said. "Harriet Tubman is beloved by all kinds of Americans on all political sides. She was a freedom fighter her whole life. She was a suffragist. She pretty much did it all, and that legacy should live very lively within us. It would if we could see it coming out of every ATM.” By making this change soon, Democrats, Republicans, and supporters of various political beliefs will finally find common ground amid the constant political conflict. Harriet Tubman inspires men and women to be the best version of themselves, gives hope of freedom for everyone, and reinforces the idea that all people should take part in democracy and decide the future of the United States not only as individual Americans but also as a unified country.  

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In conclusion, deciding who is the face of U.S. currency is very important because it reflects whom the United States honors and values. This honor should not be limited to White men but should also recognize the contributions and achievements of women and of people of color. It is stereotypical to believe that White men should have all the power and should be in charge when there are amazing women and people of color who have the same capabilities and should have equal representation on something as important as money. If not Harriet Tubman, Andrew Jackson can be replaced with any one of hundreds of other women who have sacrificed their own lives to make this nation better. “Including women in our currency can enhance our standing as a nation by bringing us together instead of tearing us apart”, said Barbara Ortiz Howard in an interview with The Detroit Free Press. Women have the power to heal and mend a nation that has been broken for years. It is time to unify the United States and learn more about the amazing people who created this country and brought it to where it is now.