The Face On The New $20 Bill Is A Major (And Great) Change For The US
Hint: it's not a white dude for once.
It's time for a change.
For as long as I can remember, the faces of white dudes have dominated US currency. Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, Roosevelt—there's exclusively dead white guys on our bills and coins. These men made incredible, nearly immeasurable accomplishments that contributed to the birth and progress of our great nation, but we get it already. How about a little variety? Sure, the Sacagawea dollar was around for a little bit. But people didn't really like it—was it because Sacagawea isn't a caucasian male?
Come on, people! Dead white men aren't the only ones who made significant accomplishments to the US. What about Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony or Frederick Douglass? Having them on some currency would indicate it's not exclusively white guys who have influenced our nation for the better.
If you feel the same, I've got some good news for you. For once, we're celebrating something other than white dudes. The stars of WGN America's "Underground" know what I'm talking about.
Andrew Jackson is being replaced on the front of the $20 bill.
According to Politico, the United States' seventh president will no longer be on the 20 dollar note. He apparently won't be removed from the bill completely—Jackson will "likely remain on the back" of the bill. You have to assume he'll be taking a much smaller role.
So who will be replacing Jackson? Harriet Tubman!
It's about time. One of America's greatest abolitionists and founder of the Underground Railroad, Tubman will be getting a long-deserved place place some of America's greatest on our currency. Hooray for change!
On a similar note (pun intended), Alexander Hamilton will be staying on the front of the $10 bill, but the back is getting a bit of a makeover.
The back of the bill will be getting "leaders of the women's suffrage movement." The back of the five dollar bill will also be getting the images of a few major Civil Rights leaders (who have yet to be named). It's an exciting time to be alive. Also, I wonder if the decision to keep Hamilton on the bill has anything to do with the popularity of the namesake musical.
The stars of WGN America's "Underground," an Abolitionist-themed drama based heavily on Tubman's legacy, couldn't be more excited about the currency change.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell, who plays Rosalee on the show, knows how important the change is.
Aldis Hodge, who plays Noah on "Underground," actually has a pretty reasonable demand for his show earnings.
For real though, everyone seems SO excited about Harriet Tubman's face being on the new $20 bill.
And they rightfully should be. She's an inspiration, and a big part of why our nation is so great today.
Unfortunately, there's bound to be unwanted racist comments.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
People can kick and scream all they want, but things are going to keep getting progressively more equal, starting with accurate representations of the achievements of all genders and races on our currency. Hooray for Tubman!