Twitter recently went all aflutter because of the proposed change to the picture on the paper currency of the $20 bill. Who knew Andrew Jackson was such a beloved figure in American history that diehards would pitch a dog devil fit over having a different face on the 20.
In some sense, I think it is because people are just not comfortable with change. They come up with all sorts of reasons why, but the bottom line of it is that change causes us to think. Maybe about how temporary and impermanent we are or maybe about how lazy and comfortable we have become with the status quo. Whatever it is, it makes us less at ease and forces us to stretch.
What adds to the interest of the debate over another face on our currency is the only female that has graced our paper money is a fictional character, Lady Liberty. Like most people, women have wider appeal as one dimensional and historical figures. It is easier to love the icon than the real person, flaws and all.
But that is what we have. Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Ulysses Grant, Abraham Lincoln, etc. included are all flawed and multi-dimensional figures with historically attributable accomplishments. Of course that was also back when women weren’t allowed the option or opportunity to pursue other roles. Supporting roles rarely garner historical recognition.
There was recently some attempt to poll the American public to find out which female American historical figure would be considered the favorite choice. The options were Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman and Other. I believe Eleanor Roosevelt ended up with the most votes.
There are clearly some others that are worthy of consideration. One of the caveats by law is that the person being considered has to be deceased. That lets out the notable Sandra Day O’Connor, but it keeps Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Earhart, Maya Angelou and Sally Ride as viable options. Even better how about the first female member of Congress, Jeanette Rankin from Montana, who actually voted to give herself the vote when the House approved the 19th Amendment.
There have been two coins with real female faces: the Susan B. Anthony silver dollar and the Sacajawea gold dollar. They weren’t particularly well used. Apparently, we, unlike other nations, do not work well with coins; even when their use is projected to save us billions.
More important than honoring our history, it is critical to send the signal of recognition and respect about women’s roles in our national life and in our national history. One of the ways to ensure women and girls will feel valued is to recognize when and what they contributed to our past. When your daughters and your sisters look at the options they have, symbols matter.
It only took us 144 years and nine amendments to the Constitution to give women the right to vote. The country’s elected men were more concerned about alcohol than fully representative government for all citizens of the United States, but that’s another story. The plan is for the bill to be ready in 2020. That would be 244 years to demonstrably recognize women’s contributions to our history.
The talk of the change on the 20 has now gone to talk of a change in the $10 bill. I am not sure what makes poor Alexander Hamilton more vulnerable to being ousted from the currency than Andrew Jackson, but apparently that hasn’t generated the angst from the interested public that replacing Jackson stirred up.
I am thinking compromise. Since no one wants to displace either of these paragons of virtue from the pedestal we have them on, how about a creative alternative. Who is to say that a $15 bill wouldn’t serve a useful purpose? I have often found myself hunting for a 10 and a five to make the $15 I needed; but I had to settle for a 20.
I think we should have our own currency from the outset. I am voting for either Amelia or Sally (I do have a strong aviation bias) for a brand new $15 bill. And by the way, it shouldn’t take five years to get it done.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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