By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The National Parks Service webpage on the Underground Railroad has undergone significant revisions, notably removing a prominent quote and image of Harriet Tubman, along with references to enslaved people and the Fugitive Slave Act. These changes, following a pattern of alterations to government websites under the Trump administration, have sparked criticism for minimizing the historical narrative and downplaying the role of enslaved people in their own liberation. The revised page now emphasizes “American ideals of liberty and freedom,” a shift historians deem a distortion of historical fact. The removal of Tubman’s contributions is considered particularly offensive given her crucial role in the Underground Railroad.
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The National Park Service’s removal of Harriet Tubman references from its Underground Railroad webpage is a deeply troubling act of historical revisionism. It’s a blatant attempt to minimize the contributions of a pivotal figure in American history, a woman who risked her life countless times to liberate enslaved people. The fact that this action has sparked widespread outrage and protest underscores the profound impact of this decision.
This isn’t simply about removing a few lines of text from a website; it’s about actively erasing a crucial part of the narrative surrounding the Underground Railroad and the fight against slavery. The argument that children can still learn about Harriet Tubman elsewhere completely misses the point. The National Park Service’s webpage is a prominent platform, and its silence on such an important figure sends a chilling message about what kind of history is deemed worthy of remembrance. The suggestion to simply “buy a book” or “tell your children” is a gross simplification of a complex issue. Access to education and information shouldn’t be relegated to individual effort; it’s a collective responsibility to ensure accurate historical representation is readily available to all.
The convenient justification for this action is unclear, and its timing is especially suspicious. The timing raises concerns about a deliberate attempt to downplay the role of Black Americans in the struggle for freedom and equality. While some might attempt to deflect criticism by claiming this is unrelated to race, the removal of Harriet Tubman’s legacy in this context is hard to reconcile with anything other than a deeply ingrained racial bias.
The removal of Harriet Tubman’s name feels like an attempt to rewrite history, to erase the narrative of brave abolitionists and the brutal reality of slavery. The act suggests a deliberate effort to minimize the horrors of slavery and the heroism of those who fought against it. It begs the question: if they are willing to remove this essential piece of history, what else are they willing to erase? What other aspects of our shared past will be targeted next? This seems like a deliberate attempt to downplay or even erase Black history from the national consciousness.
The comparison to the removal of Confederate monuments is telling. While the removal of Confederate statues has drawn criticism from some, it largely stems from disagreements over the interpretation of the past. The removal of Harriet Tubman’s contributions, however, is not about re-interpreting existing information; it’s about removing the information itself, a stark contrast. The difference lies in the deliberate targeting of a figure who actively fought against systemic oppression, opposed to the removal of monuments that celebrate those who perpetuated such oppression. The silence surrounding this action, in stark contrast to the uproar surrounding the removal of Confederate monuments, is deeply disturbing and speaks volumes about the priorities at play.
The pervasive use of the term “DEI hire” as a derogatory term in response to this action highlights the cynical way in which diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are being misrepresented and weaponized. The narrative of anti-DEI sentiments as a simple rebranding of racism is spot on. The focus on this supposed “DEI agenda” distracts from the central issue: the removal of a significant historical figure. The true target is not a broad initiative, but rather the visibility and recognition of a powerful Black woman who challenged the established order.
The fear that this is just the beginning, that other significant figures and historical events will be similarly marginalized, is understandable. The concern that this is part of a larger pattern of whitewashing history and suppressing narratives of people of color is certainly valid. The comparison to the Nazi regime’s manipulation of history is an extreme one, but it highlights the long-term consequences of such actions.
Ultimately, the removal of Harriet Tubman’s references from the National Park Service webpage is more than just a simple editing error. It’s a deliberate act of historical erasure, a silencing of a powerful voice and a profound distortion of the American past. The outrage is justified; the silence is deafening, and the implications are deeply worrying. The effort to erase her contributions will only serve to strengthen the resolve of those determined to remember and celebrate her enduring legacy.