*As they should be as far as we’re concerned, Harriet Tubman’s family is fired up. They are upset after the National Park Service (NPS) quietly removed her photo and famous quote from the Underground Railroad webpage. This has sparked a lot of anger as they see it as a total slap in the face to Black history, which they say is American history—period.
Changes to the Underground Railroad Webpage
In early 2025, the NPS edited its “What is the Underground Railroad?” webpage. One of the most significant changes was taking away a large image of Harriet Tubman and her powerful 1896 quote.
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say — I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger,” she famously said.
By February, Tubman’s image and quote were replaced with five commemorative stamps showcasing Tubman with other abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and William Still. While Tubman is depicted, the focus shifted to “Black/White Cooperation” instead of her incredible role in helping enslaved people.
Even more troubling, references to “enslaved” people and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 were cut. Instead, the webpage’s text now highlights “American ideals of liberty and freedom.” This change sparked outrage among many supporters of Tubman and Black history.
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Family Reacts
The family was particularly upset about these adjustments. Rita Daniels, a relative of Tubman and the founder of the Harriet Tubman Learning Center, called the edits a “slap in the face to Black history.” She believes that Tubman’s essential role in aiding enslaved people and her contributions during the Civil War were being minimized, TMZ is reporting.
Daniels strongly emphasized, “Black history is American history.” She questioned why Tubman’s story was seen as a threat. In a message filled with passion, she declared, “Leave my great auntie alone!”
Rita added that Tubman gave everything to create a better future—not just for Black people, but for everyone in the U.S. She ended her powerful message with, “It’s 2025 and racism will not win!”
Broader Context of the Edits
The family’s frustration did not come in isolation. The NPS edits happened during a broader effort by the Trump administration to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from federal websites. This raised significant concerns about historical revisionism and the portrayal of important figures like Tubman.
Historians and activists also echoed the family’s feelings. Fergus Bordewich, an expert on the Underground Railroad, called the changes “offensive and absurd.” He argued that they diminished the webpage’s historical value and downplayed the significance of Tubman’s contributions.
Restoring the Original Content
Thanks to public backlash, fueled by reporting from The Washington Post, the NPS restored the original Tubman content on April 7, 2025. The agency admitted that the edits were made without leadership approval and confirmed they would be quickly reversed. However, Tubman’s family believes that the initial move caused lasting damage.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions over how American history, particularly regarding slavery and civil rights, is presented. While the NPS now maintains a separate, unchanged webpage dedicated to Tubman, many feel that the battle over recognizing Black history continues.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Ten Mind-blowing Facts We Bet You Didn’t About Harriet Tubman!
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