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Who should appear on a nation’s currency? Its greatest historical figures, or whoever best reflects today’s diversity targets?
That’s a ridiculous question, right? Not really.
The UK Cabinet recently urged the Bank of England to rethink who appears on British banknotes. And their proposal wasn’t about security features or artistic design.
It was about identity.
According to correspondence sent to the Bank, Cabinet Office officials argued that Britain’s current historical figures reflect “limited dimensions of British identity.” They called for “greater representation of women, disabled people, ethnic minority communities and LGBT+ individuals.”
The Bank of England appears to have its own agenda, moving away from historical figures on banknotes altogether in favor of British wildlife. That means Churchill, Jane Austen, J.M.W. Turner, and Alan Turing would eventually make way for animals such as the hedgehog, badger, fox, and puffin.
It seems that one institution wants more diversity and the other wants more wildlife. Either way, Britain’s historical figures lose their place.
What precedent does that set? Will every new government redesign the nation’s banknotes to reflect the latest political agendas and cultural trends?