Socialites React: National Park Service Wipes Harriet Tubman from ‘Underground Railroad’ Page
Socialites, put your breakfast down and come get into this. As you know, there’s been a major reshuffling of content on government websites since the shift into the Trump administration, but this one right here? Whew. It’s got folks folding arms and raising eyebrows all across the country.
An image and quote from Harriet Tubman have been completely removed from a National Park Service page about the Underground Railroad. Along with that, references to “enslaved” people and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 have also been wiped clean. Yes, you read that right.
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So now you might be wondering, what’s on there now? The page has been replaced with a blander, more sanitized section showing commemorative stamps of civil rights leaders. The text now reads with phrases like “Black/White Cooperation,” but noticeably leaves out the real, raw truth — there’s no mention of slavery, Harriet Tubman, or the actual risks and resistance that built the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman’s Legacy Deserves More Than Erasure
Harriet Tubman ain’t no background character. Her story is the blueprint of liberation, sacrifice, and unwavering Black excellence. The original page gave rightful space to that history, starting with the journey of enslaved people fighting for their freedom and the network that stood up against the Fugitive Slave Act. That’s what the Underground Railroad was.
But now? That content’s been swapped out for two vanilla paragraphs talking about “American ideals of liberty and freedom.” Not one specific mention of slavery.
And yes, there’s still a separate NPS page for Harriet Tubman. But that ain’t the point. Tubman was central to the Underground Railroad’s success. To remove her from that narrative feels intentional and folks are saying it’s another step in this administration’s slow but steady erasure of Black stories.
The Trump Administration’s DEI Rollback Is Loud and Clear
Many online and across academia see this move as more than just an edit. It’s being viewed as part of a larger campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion from public institutions. According to critics, this administration has taken deliberate steps to sanitize history and shift the focus away from systemic oppression and toward a more “patriotic” lens.
Although there is a separate National Park Service webpage dedicated to Tubman, many are disgusted by changes that have acknowledged important figures for years. Many believe this is poor taste in the Trump administration that has enacted a campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why This Matters: History Ain’t History Without the Whole Truth
This is why Black-led platforms, creators, historians, and community leaders continue to fight to preserve and elevate our stories. They know what’s at stake. When Black history gets pushed to the sidelines, so do the movements, lessons, and heroes that helped build this country.
Socialites, what do you think about this? Sound off in the comment box below!
