Originally published on blacknews.com
A quote and image of Harriet Tubman have been quietly removed from a National Park Service webpage about the Underground Railroad, prompting concern from historians and civil rights advocates. The revision is part of a broader trend of controversial changes to U.S. government websites under the Trump administration’s second term, with critics arguing that these edits downplay the historical realities of slavery and systemic racism in America. Previously, the page opened with Tubman’s image and a quote acknowledging her role as the Underground Railroad’s most renowned conductor.
According to CNN, comparisons between archived versions of the page from January and March reveal that not only were Tubman’s quote and photo removed, but references to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and the experiences of enslaved individuals were also deleted. The updated version now leads with imagery of civil rights-era commemorative stamps and emphasizes themes like “Black/White Cooperation” and “American ideals of liberty and freedom,” while omitting direct mentions of slavery.
The Washington Post was the first to report these changes, which have since sparked criticism from academics and historians. Fergus Bordewich, author of a book on the Underground Railroad, called the revision “offensive and absurd” in comments to CNN, adding that the new page had been stripped of its depth and historical value. He argued that Americans can “handle complex and challenging historical narratives” and should not be shielded from the painful truths of the nation’s past.
Janell Hobson, a professor of women’s studies at the University at Albany, also expressed concern. She described Tubman as “one of our greatest American heroes” and said that minimizing her legacy on such a significant page undermines the truth of American history. Hobson emphasized that the National Park Service has a responsibility to honor the full scope of Tubman’s legacy and that of other historical figures who fought for freedom and justice.
While the primary Underground Railroad page has been revised, a separate webpage devoted specifically to Harriet Tubman still exists. That page, which details her early life in slavery, her escape to freedom, and her repeated missions to rescue others, does not appear to have been changed since late January. CNN has reached out to the National Park Service for comment regarding the changes and whether additional revisions are planned.
The alterations come amid a broader government campaign under President Trump to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across federal agencies. Earlier this year, mentions of “transgender” and “queer” were removed from a National Parks page about the Stonewall Monument, sparking protests. Similar actions at the Pentagon involved purging content related to Jackie Robinson, the Holocaust, and sexual assault awareness. Internal sources revealed that officials were instructed to flag content using keywords such as “LGBTQ,” “ethnicity,” and “history.” In recent weeks, Trump has also overhauled leadership at key cultural institutions, including the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, accusing them of promoting inappropriate narratives.
