The Figure on the US $20 Bill Will Change to a Black Female Activist

Jackson, known for oppressing minorities such as slaves and indigenous people,
likely to be replaced by Black civil rights activist Harriet Tubman

The wax figure of Harriet Tubman [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The face of former President Andrew Jackson on the front of the US $20 bill is increasingly likely to be replaced by another figure. Authorities plan to replace Jackson, who is criticized for maintaining slavery and oppressing Native Americans, with Black civil rights activist Harriet Tubman. This move is also seen as an effort to reflect America's diversity on its currency.

On the 25th (local time), White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced at a press conference that the figure on the front of the $20 bill will be replaced. She said, "The Treasury Department has begun steps to put Harriet Tubman on the front of the $20 bill." She added, "It is important that our bills, our currency, reflect our country's history and diversity, and putting Tubman on the $20 bill is definitely a reflection of that. We are looking into ways to speed up the process."

Tubman was a 19th-century Black female activist dedicated to helping slaves escape. Former President Barack Obama first pushed for placing Tubman on the front of the $20 bill instead of Jackson in 2016. However, after former President Donald Trump took office, this replacement plan was completely withdrawn. At that time, former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated, "There will be no replacement of the $20 bill until 2028."

Former President Jackson is known to be one of the figures admired by former President Trump. During his tenure, Trump expressed his respect for Jackson by hanging a portrait of him in his office and visiting Jackson's grave and birthplace.

However, Jackson is a controversial figure in American society for his policies that oppressed Black people to maintain slavery and forcibly displaced Native Americans during westward expansion. In contrast, Tubman, born into slavery, created a secret organization known as the "Underground Railroad" in Philadelphia, helping hundreds of Black slaves escape. She is also known to have participated in the women's suffrage movement after the Civil War.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.