So, it's really happening. On Wednesday, the US Treasury announced that Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, with some reports that the change will go into effect in 2030.
Tubman -- an abolitionist and former slave, who led hundreds of slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad -- will become not only the first woman, but the first black person to be featured prominently on US currency. It's huge news, and black people on Twitter have a lot of feelings about it:
Oh my Beyonce this is happening?!?!?! Siwjajaywhwj https://t.co/GgFJqTRy6y
— crissle (@crissles) April 20, 2016
Can't wait to say "It's all about the Harriets" #HarrietTubman 20$
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) April 20, 2016
yaaaaaasssssssssssssssss!!!!! The Greatest American Patriot get's to be on the most popular bill! #HarrietTubman https://t.co/QdRNgrTh8J
— MichaelaAngela Davis (@MichaelaAngelaD) April 20, 2016
i cant wait to see the impact that having harriet tubman on the 20 is going to have on rap music
— Tracy Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) April 20, 2016
I'm gonna pay everything I ever owe in 20$s from now on! Mortgage, student loans, dinner, taxes...ALL OF IT!! #HarrietTubman
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) April 20, 2016
it's raining harriets! 💵💵💵💵💵💵☂
— jaredmichaelowe (@jaredmichaelowe) April 20, 2016
RE the #HarrietTubman $20: if you are now living, you can see this coming & have no excuse to be racist & sexist about it once it's printed
— andré carrington PhD (@prof_carrington) April 20, 2016
i’m pretty sure circulation of $20s will drop once Harriet Tubman is on there, tbh.
— julia craven (@CurlyCrayy) April 20, 2016
but until that happens! pic.twitter.com/hPnb5auOKU
— julia craven (@CurlyCrayy) April 20, 2016
Of course, amidst all the excitement are some very valid points about the implications of putting Tubman, a former slave, on the very currency that was once used to buy and sell her:
My brief thoughts on Harriet Tubman's face on the $20 bill. #HarrietTubman pic.twitter.com/0qVLuszAdO
— Darnell L. Moore (@Moore_Darnell) April 20, 2016
Harriet Tubman of all people ending up on American currency is quite mind boggling for multiple reasons. https://t.co/UHXoGQWzQZ
— Michael Arceneaux (@youngsinick) April 20, 2016
The most tangible tools of capitalism, being made to reflect America’s legacy of slavery. And just in time for the cashless society.
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) April 20, 2016
Harriert Tubman did not support capitalism, white supremacy, American exceptionalism, y'all don't know the real #HarrietTubman
— Rosa A. Clemente (@rosaclemente) April 20, 2016
I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE EVILS OF CAPITALISM RIGHT NOW SO SAVE IT FOR TOMORROW THANKS
— Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) April 20, 2016
The politics of it are complex. But an ex-slave replacing the image of a slave owner on major US currency? That's powerful.
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