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Tubman Removed from Underground Railroad Webpage
The National Parks Service removed Harriet Tubman's image and a quote from its Underground Railroad webpage, along with references to enslaved people and the Fugitive Slave Act, replacing it with content emphasizing "Black/White Cooperation" and American ideals, prompting criticism from historians.
- What is the immediate impact of removing Harriet Tubman from the National Parks Service's Underground Railroad webpage?
- The National Parks Service removed a quote by Harriet Tubman and her image from their Underground Railroad webpage. This followed other changes, including the removal of references to enslaved people and the Fugitive Slave Act. The revised page now emphasizes "American ideals of liberty and freedom", starting with commemorative stamps of civil rights leaders and text mentioning "Black/White Cooperation.
- How do the changes to the Underground Railroad webpage connect to the broader context of recent alterations to other government websites?
- These alterations align with a broader pattern of changes to government websites under the Trump administration, targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Similar modifications have affected pages on Stonewall, Jackie Robinson, and even seemingly unrelated topics like the Holocaust. This suggests a coordinated effort to reshape the narrative presented by federal institutions.
- What are the potential long-term implications of these changes for the public understanding of American history and the representation of marginalized groups?
- The removal of Tubman, a pivotal figure in the fight against slavery, from the Underground Railroad page reflects a deliberate attempt to downplay the history of slavery and its lasting impact. This could lead to a distorted understanding of American history and potentially embolden further efforts to erase or minimize marginalized narratives from public discourse. The long-term consequence might be a further polarization of historical interpretations.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The revised webpage's framing significantly alters the narrative. By replacing Tubman's prominent quote and image with commemorative stamps and emphasizing "American ideals," the focus shifts from the experiences of enslaved people and their fight for freedom to a more general and less confrontational presentation of American history. The initial paragraphs, which previously highlighted the Fugitive Slave Act and enslaved people's efforts to liberate themselves, are now replaced with a generalized discussion of liberty, minimizing the significance of slavery in shaping the Underground Railroad. This change in emphasis significantly shapes reader interpretation by downplaying the harsh realities of slavery and the active resistance of those enslaved.
Language Bias
The use of the phrase "Black/White cooperation" is potentially problematic. While cooperation undoubtedly existed, framing the Underground Railroad primarily through this lens without acknowledging the systemic power imbalance and inherent oppression of slavery risks minimizing the historical struggle for freedom and presenting a sanitized view of a deeply complex and unjust system. The omission of the term "enslaved" in favor of more neutral terms like "people" also downplays the dehumanizing nature of slavery.
Bias by Omission
The removal of Harriet Tubman's image and quote, along with references to enslaved people and the Fugitive Slave Act, constitutes a significant omission of crucial historical context. This omission minimizes the role of enslaved people in their own liberation and the brutality of slavery, presenting a sanitized and incomplete narrative of the Underground Railroad. The revised emphasis on "American ideals of liberty and freedom" without acknowledging the systemic oppression that contradicted these ideals is a misleading simplification. The omission of the struggles and agency of enslaved individuals distorts the historical reality and undermines a complete understanding of the Underground Railroad.
False Dichotomy
The webpage's framing implicitly presents a false dichotomy by emphasizing "Black/White cooperation" without adequately addressing the power imbalance inherent in the relationship between enslavers and the enslaved. This simplification ignores the complex dynamics of resistance and the inherent injustice of slavery. The focus on cooperation risks overshadowing the struggle for freedom and minimizing the brutal realities of the system.
Gender Bias
While not directly related to gender, the omission of Harriet Tubman, a powerful female figure central to the Underground Railroad, contributes to a broader issue of underrepresentation of women in historical narratives. Her removal silences a crucial female voice and perspective within this important historical context.
Sustainable Development Goals
The removal of Harriet Tubman from the Underground Railroad webpage diminishes the historical narrative of enslaved people fighting for freedom and economic justice. This contributes to a narrative that neglects the struggles of marginalized communities and their pursuit of a better life, hindering progress toward eradicating poverty and inequality.