American Lit

After much debate and public input, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced in 2016 that there are plans to redesign the U.S. $5, $10, and $20 bills, declaring that all three denominations would have a female presence. Andrew Jackson would be replaced on the $20 bill by former slave and abolitionist Harriet Tubman by 2020, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted U.S. women the right to vote. While Lincoln would remain on the $5 bill and Hamilton would remain on the $10 bill, images of women would be added to the back of both. Among the debate over the changes was the charge that placing female suffragettes on the back of bills was like sending them to the back of the bus, a reminder of pre-civil rights struggles in the United States as well as continuing sexism. In light of your readings in this unit and in previous units, discuss your thoughts on the U.S. currency changes.