Maya Angelou is an iconic figure within the literary canon. Her memoirs, poems, and essays have shaped our understanding of race, gender, and identity in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The sterling legacy Angelou left behind is deserving of memorialization on United States coinage, such as the quarter.
Angelou’s contributions as a civil rights activist, feminist, and historian merit inclusion on US coinage. As a teen, Angelou was a civil rights marcher, with her leadership skills and resilience evident even in her youth. She also wrote introductions to works by authors such as James Baldwin, whose nuanced and revolutionary perspectives of race, identity, and politics were enriched by her commentary. Angelou’s work as a poet, storyteller, and historian illustrate her commitment to carrying on and exemplifying the civil rights movement.
Advocates for putting Angelou on a quarter also point out admirable and unique qualities of the poet’s life. Despite facing racism and sexism, Angelou achieved her educational and career goals and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to recite her poem titled, “On the Pulse of Morning” at his 1993 inauguration. As a publicly celebrated figure in literary and cultural history, Angelou’s presence on US coinage would be a great way to recognize and celebrate her accomplishments.
The addition of Angelou on the quarter could also have a significant impact on the national image, as the currency is reflective of a nation’s culture, history, and values. It would be a physical reminder of our collective history and resilience as a nation, of which Angelou has played an important role. This public recognition of Angelou’s influence provides a platform for dialog to continue about her views on civil rights and her unique perspective of race and identity.
Critics of putting Angelou on a quarter raise questions about the criteria of selectivity and the implications of the decision to honor her. How is selection to be determined and by whom? Are all great women leaders to be so honored? Who decides who is deserving and who is not? With such a limited amount of real estate available on US coinage, what criteria should be employed to decide which figures with different backgrounds and cultures to choose?
In sum, while honoring Angelou through her inclusion on the US quarter would open valuable dialog around her life and contribution, it should also be noted that placing her on the coin might be controversial and sets a precedent for who else should be honored in this way.
John Lewis and African American Representation
Another iconic African American leader deserving of an honored spot on US coinage is the late Congressman John Robert Lewis. Lewis was a civil rights leader, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and one of the key motivating forces behind the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. His peaceful activism has inspired millions of people around the world and provided a powerful example of nonviolent protest.
Lewis was never reluctant to address the harsh realities of racism, notably during his speech to the House of Representatives in the wake of the death of George Floyd. He urged legislators to encourage the use of nonviolent protests to combat injustice and reach a greater understanding of the importance of creating a more equitable society. His presence on US coinage could be seen as a visual testament of civil society’s admiration for his commitment to ending racism, bigotry, and discrimination.
Moreover, this representation would demonstrate a visual recognition of the significant contributions African Americans have made to the country, as well as their tremendous strength and resilience in the face of numerous obstacles. In granting these African American leaders a place on US coinage, the country not only pays tribute to the greatness of these individuals, but reinforces a positive perception of what the US stands for.
Critics of the idea of putting Lewis on a quarter suggest that the move could be seen as a form of tokenism. While it is important to recognize his contributions to civil rights and society, some contend that coinage should be reserved only for figures who have achieved something of lasting value, not simply civil rights supporters. Others worry that with a shift towards memorializing progressive figures, there is diminishing room to recognize others who may have served the country in a different capacity.
In a nutshell, Memorializing John Lewis on the US quarter would be an appropriate way of recognizing his influence, passion, and courage. This representation helps to bring the history of African American accomplishments to the fore, making sure this history is never lost to time. Still, there are concerns about the implications of commemorating only certain figures, and avoiding tokenism should be taken into careful consideration when deciding whether or not Lewis should be honored in this way.
Harriet Tubman and Slavery Abolition
Harriet Tubman is another civil rights leader whose service and bravery merits a place of honor on US currency. As the most famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, Tubman risked her own life to help escaped slaves attain freedom, guiding them along the perilous route to freedom. Tubman’s courage and foresight also helped in leading American forces to victory in a number of skirmishes during the civil war. As a result of her contributions, she became the first woman to lead a military operation.
Tubman’s many accomplishments make her an exceptional figure who is worthy of inclusion on US coinage. Advocating for the addition of Tubman to the quarter could also be seen as a visual reminder of the heinous acts of cruelty that occurred during the institution of slavery and of the arduous journey to freedom. By publically recognizing a former slave, who went on to emancipate hundreds of others, US coinage would help coalesce around a history that was largely forgotten.
Critics against Tubman’s inclusion, however, argue that her inclusion could be offensive to those who are opposed to recognizing slavery as a vile act and necessary part of American history. By privileging Tubman, we might be implying that she was the only slave in history who made a significant contribution, thus downplaying the courageous acts of countless others who faced and still face the same conditions of oppression. Furthermore, her presence on the quarter could be seen as a form of racial determinism and reinforcement of fixed identity categories.
In a nutshell, the personal bravery of Harriet Tubman during the height of the civil war, and her commitment to justice and human rights, make her an ideal candidate for a spot on US coinage. By commemorating her, we can honor her legacy but also pave the way for ongoing critical conversations about the horrors of slavery and the fight for justice and equality in the US. Still, there is also a risk in positioning Tubman as the only worthy example of courage and bravery within the context of American slavery.
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks is another accomplished civil rights leader who fought against Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the United States. In 1955, Parks refused to obey Montgomery, Alabama’s law requiring travelers to abide by the segregated seating rule. Her decision sparked the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott, which successfully used non-violent civil disobedience to challenge racial segregation.
In recognition of her bravery and monumental influence, Parks was awarded the NAACP’s highest honor in 1979. Her legacy is also celebrated in multiple statues and memorials, as well as a limited-edition plaque issued by the US Mint in 2005. Including Parks on the quarter would be an appropriate way to honor her impact on civil rights history and an invaluable contribution to the struggle for equal rights for African Americans.
Critics of this idea suggest that, given the close ties between the US Mint’s current gold and silver coins and the US economy, placing Parks on the quarters might be seen by some as a trivialization of her life and her work. Furthermore, there are also concerns that presenting Parks as a solitary representation of the civil rights movement ignores the incredible efforts of many others, while also robbing them of the recognition they deserve.
In sum, while Rosa Parks was a highly-regarded civil rights leader and an iconic figure in US history, concerns around possible tokenism and the sidelining of the efforts of others should be taken into account when deciding whether or not to honor her on US coinage. Her unique and important contributions to civil rights activism and history should be remembered and celebrated, but this should not be done at the expense of other courageous figures from the era.
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King Jr. is yet another prominent civil rights leader whose work should be honored through his inclusion on the US quarter. As the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, King was the face of the civil rights movement in the United States. His inspiring speeches, non-violent protests, and organized marches successfully drove the civil rights movement forward, pressuring the government to pass long-overdue civil rights legislation.
Adding King to the collection of US coins would be a meaningful way to commemorate his legacy as well as that of the civil rights movement. His portrait on US coinage would not only bring the history of the civil rights movement to the fore, but also visualize African American contributions to the country. His presence on the quarter could also reinforce a positive image of the US, consequently inspiring citizens to continue pushing for equality and inclusivity.
Critics of this suggestion, however, express concern that commemorating King in this way implies that he was the only civil rights leader deserving of such recognition. They contend that memorializing King on a quarter erases the crucial contributions of numerous other activists who, although not as well-known, have played an invaluable role in shaping civil rights history.
In summary, the movement to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. on US coinage is a decent way of honoring his immense achievements, as well as highlighting the collective efforts by civil rights groups throughout the country. Nonetheless, this move should also be done with caution and care to ensure that it is not seen as tokenism, and that the efforts and achievements of lesser-known activists are not forgotten.
