Harriet Tubman on a $20 Bill: Will It Teach Children The Truth About Slavery?

The nation is all abuzz about President Obama's decision to put a black face on a $20 bill - the legendary liberator of slaves, Harriet Tubman, known in her time as Moses, who freed hundreds of slaves and said she would have freed thousands more "If they had only known they were slaves." Of course a dollar bill is only a symbol, but what a powerful symbol it is to have an African American woman so honored to be placed on a symbol of currency that, up to this point in time, has been reserved exclusively for "dead Presidents." Will this new bill force more discussion about slavery and  what extreme measures it took to finally abolish it? How will those in Confederate states respond to this decision? Is this one of those memorable actions that will characterize President Obama's legacy as the first African American U. S. President? How can we make this $20 bill a teaching tool to enable white and black children to understand the depth of degradation slavery represented and the tremendous sacrifice and courage it took for Harriet Tubman to resist not only enslavement of herself, but the many men women and children she helped escape to freedom? Can the placement of Harriet Tubman on a $20 bill be an emotionally healing act for African Americans? Historian and Linguist Hussain Abdul Quddus, who performs on stage in a portrayal of abolitionist Frederick Douglas, joins us to look at the impact of this new $20 bill.