According to this biography she was illiterate.
Her journeys into the land of slavery put her at tremendous risk, and she used a variety of subterfuges to avoid detection. Tubman once disguised herself with a bonnet and carried two live chickens to give the appearance of running errands. Suddenly finding herself walking toward a former owner in Dorchester County, she yanked the strings holding the birds’ legs, and their agitation allowed her to avoid eye contact.[65] Later she recognized a fellow train passenger as another former master; she snatched a nearby newspaper and pretended to read. Since Tubman was known to be illiterate, the man ignored her.[66]
Now she was a great abolitionist. According to popular legend. But couldn’t they have found a better role model?
Here are a few suggestions (I believe they have to be deceased to be on the currency):
Marie Maynard Daly – The first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry.
Septima Poinsette Clark – Educator and civil rights activist
Daisy Bates – American civil rights activist, publisher and writer
There are plenty of others.
Comments
10 responses to “Illiterate Black Woman To Be On $20 Bill”
She was Republican, she packed heat, and she was willing to put her life on the line for the freedom of others. What’s not to like?
She was illiterate, so what? Was it her fault? I’m with Casper, her character and dedication to others make her a good choice.
Ditto. Rand Simberg over at Transterrestrial Musings:
Trump just blew the black vote by calling Tubman’s choice “pure political correctness.”
The man can’t open his mouth without putting his foot in it.
Frank,
And 6 months later it will be accepted wisdom. Or at least tolerated.
He is not a go along to get along guy.
In more esoteric terms – he is moving the Overton window.
Simon, I had a crazy uncle (doesn’t everyone?) who could be counted on to say the most outrageous things, usually at family gatherings. During the Iran hostage mess he piped up at Thanksgiving dinner that what they needed to do was nuke Tehran. Everyone was aghast of course. What would that accomplish except getting the hostages killed? He didn’t care. They needed to be taught a lesson and the sooner the better. Well, that’s Donald Trump. And you want him to have his finger on the button? He’s irrational, ignorant, (notice I didn’t say stupid) and given enough provocation might just say or do something to get us all killed.
tubman was physically restrained from joining john brown’s attempt to free the slaves.
Frank,
You remember what they said about Goldwater? Reagan?
“Irrationality” in a leader is not a bad thing if it is calculated.
If you want business as usual you can always support Hillary. I wouldn’t hold it against you. I have a Bernie supporter living and working with me. He is an outstanding programmer.
If you want to roll the dice – Trump.
I have been in a roll the dice mood for a while.
Believe me Simon, I understand the roll the dice feeling. Hope it works out for you. Nothing personal, but I’m not quite there – yet.
Frank,
My take is that they (the rest of the candidates) are all bought and paid for.
Trump might not be.