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NPS Restores Harriet Tubman to Underground Railroad Webpage After Controversial Alteration
The National Park Service restored its "What is the Underground Railroad?" webpage to its original state after removing Harriet Tubman's image and altering the text in early February; the changes, made without NPS leadership approval, sparked public criticism and prompted a swift reversal.
- What broader patterns or initiatives within the Trump administration led to the changes on the NPS webpage and other government websites, and what were their stated goals?
- The alteration of the NPS webpage reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to downplay or remove references to slavery and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from government websites. Similar changes were made to other NPS pages and the Department of Defense's website, illustrating a pattern of systemic attempts to revise historical narratives. This action sparked significant public backlash from prominent figures like Ben Crump and Bernice King, highlighting the importance of preserving accurate historical accounts.
- What were the immediate consequences of the alteration of the NPS Underground Railroad webpage, and how did it impact public perception of the Trump administration's approach to historical representation?
- The National Park Service (NPS) webpage about the Underground Railroad was altered in early February to remove Harriet Tubman's image and quote, replacing them with a collage of stamps and altering the text to focus on "Black/White Cooperation" rather than resistance to slavery. This change, made without approval, was reversed after public outcry and media attention. The original content, including mentions of the Fugitive Slave Act and historical accounts of enslaved people's resistance, has been restored.
- What are the long-term implications of this incident for the preservation of accurate historical information on government websites, and what measures could be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future?
- The incident underscores the ongoing struggle to accurately represent American history, particularly concerning slavery and its impact. The future implications include increased scrutiny of government websites for historical accuracy and a heightened awareness of attempts to manipulate historical narratives for political purposes. This event serves as a case study of the tension between historical accuracy and politically motivated revisions of government information.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The alteration of the webpage significantly altered its framing. The original page presented Harriet Tubman as a central figure, highlighting the Underground Railroad's role in resistance to slavery. The revised version, however, emphasized interracial cooperation, shifting the narrative focus away from the struggle against enslavement and towards a more conciliatory interpretation of a deeply complex historical event. The headline and introductory text were manipulated to support this altered framing.
Language Bias
The alteration of the text to focus on "Black/White cooperation" instead of "resistance to enslavement" reflects a significant language bias. The term "cooperation" downplays the forced nature of the situation and minimizes the inherent power imbalance inherent in the system of slavery. Similarly, omitting the mention of the Fugitive Slave Act subtly shifts the narrative to avoid the brutality and danger faced by those escaping slavery.
Bias by Omission
The original webpage's alteration omitted crucial context regarding the Underground Railroad, focusing on interracial cooperation while downplaying its function as a resistance movement against enslavement. The removal of Harriet Tubman, the Fugitive Slave Act, and historical accounts of enslaved people's struggle for freedom significantly misrepresented the historical narrative. The omission of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment further minimized the role of Black Americans in the fight for emancipation. While space constraints might explain some omissions, the selective removal of elements crucial to understanding the Underground Railroad's true nature constitutes a significant bias by omission.
False Dichotomy
The revised webpage presented a false dichotomy by emphasizing interracial cooperation while neglecting the central theme of resistance to slavery. This oversimplification ignored the complex realities of the Underground Railroad and the inherent power imbalance between enslaved people and their enslavers. By focusing solely on cooperation, the revised version minimized the struggle and agency of those seeking freedom.
Gender Bias
While not explicitly gendered, the removal of Harriet Tubman, a prominent female figure in the fight against slavery, constitutes a form of gender bias by omission. The choice to remove a significant female historical figure while retaining other elements arguably diminishes the contributions of women to this historical movement.
Sustainable Development Goals
Restoring the webpage about the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman's role counters attempts to erase historical narratives of struggle and resistance against oppression, which is crucial for acknowledging and addressing systemic inequalities that perpetuate poverty. The act of restoring the page is a step towards a more inclusive and accurate representation of history, which is essential for informing efforts to alleviate poverty and promote social justice.