NPS Edits Reroute UGRR History: Tubman Removed

NPS Underground Railroad edits spark concern

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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History tells our story. When that story gets changed, especially by official sources like the National Park Service (NPS), we have to ask why. Recently, edits appeared on the NPS website about the Underground Railroad. These changes involve removing Harriet Tubman’s image and quote and altering language about slavery. Furthermore, these edits seem part of a larger pattern affecting how Black history is presented.

This is deeply concerning for the African Diaspora community. The Underground Railroad represents a powerful chapter of resistance against unimaginable brutality. It speaks to the courage and agency of enslaved people. Consequently, attempts to reshape this narrative demand our close attention. Let’s dive into the specifics of these changes and what they mean for understanding our past.

Harriet Tubman NPS: Erasing a Conductor

One of the most striking changes involves Harriet Tubman herself. A prominent photograph of Tubman and a powerful quote attributed to her were removed from the main Underground Railroad webpage (National Parks Service removes reference to Harriet Tubman from Underground Railroad website). In the quote, she identified herself as the “conductor” of the Underground Railroad. This removal hits hard because Tubman wasn’t just *a* figure; she was a central, driving force who risked her life repeatedly.

Instead of Tubman, the page now features images of commemorative stamps. These stamps highlight “Black/White cooperation” among various civil rights leaders (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). While cooperation existed, this shift fundamentally changes the focus. Additionally, the NPS now points visitors to a separate page specifically about Tubman (National Parks Service removes reference to Harriet Tubman from Underground Railroad website). However, creating a separate page doesn’t excuse removing her from the primary narrative of the very network she defined for so many. Her absence from the main page diminishes her pivotal role in the eyes of visitors seeking general information.

NPS Slavery Terminology: Language Matters

Words carry weight, especially when discussing horrific histories like chattel slavery. The NPS edits included significant changes in language used to describe this period. The term “enslaved African Americans” was replaced with “enslaved workers” (National Parks Service removes reference to Harriet Tubman from Underground Railroad website). This change minimizes the brutal reality that people were enslaved based on their race, not just their labor status. It strips away the crucial racial dimension of American slavery.

Furthermore, references to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 were completely deleted (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). This law was incredibly controversial. It forced Northerners to participate in capturing escaped people and denied accused Black individuals basic legal rights, fueling the fire that led to the Civil War (The Fugitive Slave Law). Omitting it erases critical context about the dangers faced by freedom seekers and the systemic nature of racism embedded in federal law. Describing the Underground Railroad merely as “significant expressions of the American civil rights movement” or something that “bridged the divides of race” also distorts history (National Parks Web Pages Remove Mentions of Harriet Tubman, Describe Underground Railroad as Civil Rights Movement). The Underground Railroad predates the modern Civil Rights Movement by nearly a century and was fundamentally about *resistance to enslavement*, a crucial distinction lost in the new phrasing.

Underground Railroad Edits: A Shift in Narrative

Replacing Harriet Tubman’s image with stamps emphasizing “Black/white cooperation” is more than just a visual change; it represents a narrative shift (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). The Underground Railroad was undoubtedly an interracial effort at times, but its heart and soul were the enslaved people risking everything for freedom and the free Black communities that formed the backbone of the network. Centering “cooperation” potentially minimizes the agency and leadership of Black individuals.

This reframing moves away from the narrative of resistance led by the enslaved. Instead, it presents a softer, more collaborative picture (National Parks Web Pages Remove Mentions of Harriet Tubman, Describe Underground Railroad as Civil Rights Movement). This aligns with a broader trend observed in other NPS edits, sometimes referred to as “whitewashing.” For instance, details about Benjamin Franklin’s history with slavery and Thomas Stone being a slaveowner were removed from other pages (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). Likewise, the complexity of John Brown’s legacy regarding racial justice and his raid’s connection to enslaved people’s resistance were also toned down or removed (National Parks Web Pages Remove Mentions of Harriet Tubman, Describe Underground Railroad as Civil Rights Movement). Such edits collectively dilute the harsh realities of slavery and systemic racism.

Trump Administration History Changes: Context and Backlash

These edits didn’t happen in a vacuum. They align with initiatives during the Trump administration targeting what was deemed “divisive” content (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). Executive orders aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs likely influenced these changes across federal agencies. While the provided sources don’t detail the specific orders, the pattern is noted.

This context includes similar incidents, like the temporary removal of content about Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen from a Department of Defense website, which was later restored after public outcry (National Parks Service removes reference to Harriet Tubman from Underground Railroad website). Predictably, the NPS changes sparked backlash. Historian Fergus Bordewich called the edits “both offensive and absurd,” stating they harm the site’s educational value by leaving out vital history (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). The NPS defended the changes as aiming to preserve “nuanced and difficult stories,” though specific justifications weren’t provided to counter the criticism (Trump’s National Park Service edited references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad). For many in the Black community, however, removing Tubman and downplaying resistance feels less like nuance and more like erasure.

The story of the Underground Railroad is fundamentally a story of Black courage, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. While allies played a role, the engine was driven by enslaved people and free Black activists like Harriet Tubman. Consequently, edits that obscure this reality, change precise language about slavery, remove key figures, or misrepresent historical timelines do a disservice to this legacy.

For the African Diaspora, accurately remembering and teaching this history is vital. It connects us to the resilience of our ancestors and informs our understanding of ongoing struggles for racial justice. Therefore, we must remain vigilant when official narratives are altered, ensuring that the sacrifices and triumphs of those who forged paths to freedom are never diminished or forgotten.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.