Last week Harriet Tubman was chosen to replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the new $20 bill. Before we celebrate, however, we need to realize what this actually means, and why it’s completely disrespectful.

For starters, it is important to note that there are three bills that are proposed to feature women. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, “The new $5 will honor historic events that occurred at the Lincoln Memorial in service of our democracy, and will feature Martin Luther King, Jr., Marian Anderson and Eleanor Roosevelt. The front of the new $5 will retain the portrait of President Lincoln. The new $10 will celebrate the history of the women’s suffrage movement, and feature images of Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul, alongside the Treasury building. The front of the new $10 will retain the portrait of Alexander Hamilton.”

And finally we come to the $20, featuring our dear Harriet Tubman. “The front of the new $20 will feature the portrait of Harriet Tubman, whose life was dedicated to fighting for liberty. The reverse of the new $20 will depict the White House and an image of President Andrew Jackson.” What’s important to note here is that Andrew Jackson will not actually be removed from the currency.

A woman famous for bravely helping hundreds of slaves escape the south is being placed on the bill with a known slave owner. Many people, including myself, have rightly become outraged. Not only is it completely disrespectful to the hard work and fearlessness that Tubman displayed during her time, but the Department of Treasury has decided not to have a single bill with only a  woman.

All of the women chosen to be a part of this new generation of currency are absolutely as qualified and respected to be the single head on their respective bill. Whether the Department of Treasury has done this intentionally or not, I feel it is a subtle sexist remark. Are these women not good enough to be alone on our currency? Are they not quite comparable to the diverse collection of old dead white men, with questionable morals, that we have today?

According to the Department of Treasury, the new currency will be released in 2030. While this growth is a clear sign of progress, I also think it is a sign that we have far more to go. The world is ever changing, and our money needs to show that.