We have six current notes. All of them depict white males. Four of them owned people. Every one of them was a very important figure in the nation's history. But history continued long after the last of them died in 1885. Not only did history move on, so did we. We are now a 21st Century multi-cultural nation, and we should have currency that not only reflects who we were, but also who we are now. A woman on an important note, like the $20 or $100, is a good step toward that goal. Ben Franklin was a man whose life story gives few causes for offense even today. Andrew Jackson was a slave owner who defied a Supreme Court order not to deport thousands of Native Americans from their long-established homes to a desolate prairie now known as Oklahoma, and along a route well remembered as the Trail of Tears. That makes him the obvious choice for replacement.
So, this whole things revolves around feminists, and how they reach to the bottom of the barrel to find a woman suitable enough to replace a president? I'm not against it, I just think we should have Liberty (a woman) to be on a note, and at least one coin. I don't think anyone alive should be on currency either. If anything, I'd like Clara Barton to be on the note aside from Liberty, because of the red cross. If racial equality it is, than I'd like Elizabeth Jennings, the first civil rights activist.
I'm not sure it's a feminist thing. I look at it as a diversity thing, and what's up with the "reach to the bottom of the barrel to find a woman suitable to replace a president" comment? I don't get it, and two of the seven current portraits of our forefathers on our currency were never President.
Rosa Parks is the worst possible choice. Think about it. Has there ever been anyone in all of human history who has been so lauded, so celebrated, so praised to the skies for having done so little as Rosa Parks? The leftist narrative would have you believe her actions were spontaneous, being tired after a hard day's work. Nothing could be further from the truth. She was also a secretary in the local NAACP. The whole incident was a pre-planned set-up. She wasn't even the first black to be arrested for failing to yield her seat on the bus. That dubious honor goes to Claudette Colvin, a dark-skinned teenager pregnant by a married man, who a few weeks before the Parks incident was forcibly removed from a bus, kicking and screaming about her rights. Said Ms. Colvin some time later, "Young people think Rosa Parks just sat down on a bus and ended segregation, but that wasn't the case at all." Shortly after the Parks incident, she moved to Detroit (due to death threats), where she spent the rest of her life. Such was the extant of her involvement in the 'civil rights movement.' And people are talking about putting her on our currency ??!!
I knew that Franklin, and Hamilton weren't presidents. The feminist part was a joke too, you know. And nothing is up, I said "I have nothing against it", and actually want a woman on currency.
Sorry I don't have any productive ideas to put forth. Who is and isn't on our currency is a mess. It never has been thought out well, and certainly isn't in this case. Put Lady Liberty on the bill and let it go. Besides, it would be fun seeing if young people could identify her...
Do these selections have the same or greater impact on American history as the current bill selections? I'll vote Rosa Parks if we go this direction. Is there any bit of political pandering involved?
I imagine there has always been a lot of "political pandering" in the selection of people for our bills and coins. The difference this time is that backers of a particular person will dare anyone to oppose them.
You do realize that these terrible white men did much to contribute to the nation that allows you to presently speak against them; ironic, isn't it? You also do realize, that for a majority of our nation's history, a (gasp!!) woman was depicted on our coinage, right? And this (gasp, again!!) was at a time when these horrible old white edited: language were alive and had nothing to contribute but ruining other people's lives. Maybe, instead of trying to pander to every different group who wishes to identify themselves not by their humanity but by their race or sex, we should simply go back to symbolism on everything. I would be perfectly fine with an effigy of Ms. Liberty returning to our coins (or appearing on our notes as well) but, of course, someone will complain because said effigy is too white, or too black, or too whatever. Perhaps the eagle? Nah.... someone somewhere will dream up some ridiculous and oh so terribly "offensive" issue with this too.
Books, you will never get an argument from me concerning Liberty or the eagle. Both would be perfect. Both represent the spirit of the country.
Don't get me wrong, I support any women on a coin or paper money. However; I think all portraits, even women's, should be allegorical. I hate politicians or presidents on our money. They belong in history books or on commemoratives. The greatest of all collection pieces had neither. The educational series on paper currency and the classic coins until the late 1800's. Then the dumb politicians realized they had a way to immortalize each others party officials. I would just love to keep real people off our circulating currency. Remember the history behind the fractional currency when William Fessenden put himself on the 25c fractional paper currency? Congress went into overdrive and gave the Secretary of the Treasury the power to decide portraits. Dead presidents and exceptions for Alexander Hamilton, (who maybe dethroned) Salmon Chase and Benjamin Franklin; were still allowed. No disrespect, but I believe political overtures should not be part of that decision. I believe our countries soldiers fight for freedom, liberty, God and justice; not dead presidents from political parties. Honor ideal's which are proven. IMHO.
Let us be cautious to keep this away from politics, politicians, parties, sexism, and religion, within the rules. It is easy to jump in to 'defend' one's political beliefs, personal religion, or sexist leanings, but think twice . It is a timely discussion, but valuing priorities by physical appearances seems to invalidate true worth to the country.
Lady Liberty isn't a woman. She's an idea rendered in female form. We depict all real people on our circulating money, and have since 1947. All of the real people depicted are white men, with the exception of the subject of the sporadically issued and universally shunned Sacajawea dollar. It doesn't make much material difference who and what our coins and currency commemorate. It makes a great difference in less quantifiable ways. Symbols are important. A man who has a Mercedes logo as an avatar should understand that.
The most significant black male from the past 100 years is Michael Jordan. Ronald Regan would be a better choice...
Give us some artistry like our older notes sans politicians and living or dead people . Miss Liberty is my vote .
