Harriet Tubman’s family is speaking out strongly against the National Park Service after it quietly removed Tubman’s photo and quote from its Underground Railroad webpage, calling the move a direct affront to Black history and American heritage.
The change, which included 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 a mark.
Rita Daniels, a relative of Tubman and founder of the Harriet Tubman Learning Center, told TMZ she was stunned by the decision. She linked the move to broader political efforts, including President Trump’s pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and noted that Tubman’s contributions to the country — from aiding enslaved people via the Underground Railroad to supporting the Union in the Civil War — are essential chapters of American history.
Daniels questioned why Black history remains such a target and asked why there seems to be an active effort to erase it from national narratives. She pointed to other recent examples, such as the removal of references to Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen from Department of Defense materials, as signs of a troubling trend.
She further cited the January 6, 2021 insurrection as evidence that racism is still alive and that groups seeking to rewrite history are active. However, she expressed hope in what she calls a “new wave of allies” — modern-day abolitionists willing to stand up against racism and historical erasure.
The Park Service had initially replaced Tubman’s image in February with commemorative stamps that featured five abolitionists, including Tubman, while eliminating broader references to the Underground Railroad’s function in helping enslaved people escape the South. The Washington Post first reported the edits over the weekend, prompting swift backlash that led to the restoration of Tubman’s image and the original historical content.
Despite the reversal, Tubman’s family says the harm has been done. “Leave my great auntie alone!” Daniels said emphatically, underlining Tubman’s sacrifice to build a better future not just for Black Americans but for the nation as a whole. She concluded with a resounding message: “It’s 2025 and racism will not win!”