After a backlash, National Park Service restores old Underground Railroad webpage that prominently features Harriet Tubman

CNN - Apr 7th, 2025

The National Park Service (NPS) has reinstated an image and quote of Harriet Tubman on the Underground Railroad webpage following public backlash. This decision came after historians and educators criticized the reduction of Tubman's presence, viewing it as an erasure of her significant contributions. Initially, Tubman's large photo and a quote about her role in the network facilitating the escape of enslaved people were replaced with smaller images of various abolitionists and omitted text. The unsanctioned changes were reported by The Washington Post and reversed by the NPS, affirming the agency's commitment to accurately presenting historical narratives.

The incident reflects ongoing tensions surrounding historical representation amid broader governmental shifts perceived as anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). The controversy underscores the importance of preserving the integrity of historical figures like Harriet Tubman, celebrated for her pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. While the NPS maintains separate web pages and historical parks dedicated to Tubman's legacy, the recent controversy illustrates the sensitivity and complexity involved in curating public history, particularly when it intersects with current political climates.

Backlash National Park Service Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Historical Narratives Anti Dei Agenda

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant examination of the controversy surrounding changes to the National Park Service's webpage on the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman. It effectively captures the public interest by highlighting the significance of historical representation and the potential implications of government policy changes. The story is well-structured and clear, making it accessible to a wide audience. However, it could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives and greater transparency in sourcing and methodology. Overall, the article successfully informs readers about an important issue, though additional depth and verification could enhance its accuracy and impact.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the timeline and sequence of events regarding the removal and restoration of Harriet Tubman's image and quote on the National Park Service webpage. It cites the Wayback Machine as evidence for these changes, which adds credibility to the factual claims. However, the article could benefit from additional verification of the claim that changes were made without approval from top leadership, as this is a significant assertion that impacts the narrative. The mention of backlash from historians and educators is supported by specific examples, such as the quoted historian Fergus Bordewich, which lends veracity to the report. Nonetheless, further corroboration from more sources could enhance the overall accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of those critical of the changes to the webpage, highlighting backlash from historians and educators. While it includes a response from an NPS spokesperson defending the changes, the story leans towards emphasizing the negative reactions. The balance could be improved by providing more context on the reasons for the initial changes and exploring whether there were any supportive views of the edits. A more comprehensive representation of perspectives would offer a fuller picture of the situation.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language, making it accessible to a broad audience. The sequence of events is logically presented, allowing readers to follow the narrative easily. The inclusion of quotes and specific examples helps to clarify key points. However, the article could benefit from a clearer explanation of the broader context, such as the implications of the anti-DEI agenda mentioned, to enhance reader comprehension.

Source quality

The article references reputable sources such as the Wayback Machine for verifying changes to the webpage, which enhances its credibility. It also includes direct quotes from an NPS spokesperson and a historian, adding authority to the claims. However, the reliance on a limited number of sources and lack of diverse viewpoints slightly diminish the overall source quality. Including more voices from within the NPS or other historians could strengthen the reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events and changes to the webpage, but it lacks detailed explanation of the methodology used to gather certain information, such as how the backlash was assessed. While it mentions the Wayback Machine as a source, further transparency about how sources were selected and the criteria for including certain viewpoints would enhance the reader's understanding of the reporting process. Additionally, disclosing any potential biases or conflicts of interest from sources could improve transparency.