Last week, the New York Times reported that Harriet Tubman posters, origami paper cranes and rainbows have been disappearing from the halls of the American schools at NATO headquarters in Belgium, a response to the Trump administration’s rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Teachers were worried that they would be seen as signs of Black, Japanese and gay culture — and thus run afoul of the new rules from Washington. The rush to comply with the administration’s directives intensified after educators learned that the wife of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth planned to visit their campus.
There is something deeply shameful about denying the children of our military personnel the opportunity to learn about our history. Erasing the life of Harriet Tubman is particularly egregious as she was the first female to lead a combat regiment when she spearheaded a Union riverboat raid during the Civil War.
In honor of Harriet Tubman, Black History Month, and the American values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, here is an updated repost about the Great Combahee Ferry Raid.