Harriet Tubman’s family quietly deleted Tubman’s photos and quoted them from his underground rail page, a direct insult to black history and American heritage.
The change, including the removal of key references to the history of slavery in the United States, sparked public outcry and was eventually reversed – but not before leaving traces.
Tubman’s relative, Rita Daniels, founder of Harriet Tubman Learning Center, told TMZ that the decision shocked her. She linked the move to broader political efforts, including President Trump’s opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, noting that Tubman’s contribution to the nation – from people enslaved through the underground railroad to unions supporting the Civil War – is a fundamental chapter in American history.
Daniels questioned why black history is still the goal, and asked why there seemed to be a positive effort to remove it from the national narrative. She points to other recent examples, such as removing references to Jackie Robinson and Tuskegee Air Forces from the Department of Defense Materials, which are signs of a disturbing trend.
She further cited the 6th January 2021 uprising as evidence that racism is still alive, and that groups trying to rewrite history are active. But she expressed hope for the so-called “allies” (modern abolitionists are willing to oppose racism and historical erasure).
The Park Service initially replaced Tubman’s image with commemorative stamps in February, which included five abolitionists, including Tubman, while eliminating widespread mention of the underground railroad’s function in helping enslaved people escape the South. The Washington Post first reported editors over the weekend, prompting strong opposition from Swift, leading to a recovery of Tubman’s image and original historical content.
Despite the reversal, Tubman’s family said the harm had been done. “Leave my great aunt!” Daniels stressed, emphasizing Tubman’s sacrifice for building a better future not only for black Americans but for the entire country. She ended with a loud message: “This is 2025, racism won’t win!”
