OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in America, has introduced a new, limited-edition Harriet Tubman card in celebration of Black History Month.
Tubman not only escaped slavery, she made 19 missions to bring 300 others, including family and friends, to freedom. She also served as an armed scout for the Union Army and was an activist in the struggle for women’s voting rights.
“We have the power to place Harriet Tubman on a global payment device in celebration of Black History Month,” states Teri Williams, OneUnited president & COO. “This symbol of Black empowerment in 2020 will pave the way for the Harriet Tubman design on the $20 bill.”
The Harriet Tubman Visa debit card is the first limited edition card offered by OneUnited Bank and will only be available in 2020. The card image is from the painting “The Conqueror” by the internationally acclaimed artist Addonis Parker.
The debit card has drawn some criticism, however, as the image of Harriet Tubman, famed abolitionist and political activist, is shown with fists crossed over her chest, which some saw as a gesture from the Marvel blockbuster movie “Black Panther” about the fictional African country Wakanda.
Bank officials said the gesture is not from the movie, but rather the sign for “love” in American Sign Language. OneUnited had been considering using Tubman’s image for a debit card since 2016, according to Williams. The bank finally decided to use Tubman’s likeness after the Trump administration declined to move forward with Obama-era plan to put her image on the $20 bill.
“We didn’t want to portray her as she normally is, which is in a passive pose,” Williams said. “When the artist presented this image of her we actually loved it. Particularly today, Black love is an important message.”
But some Twitter users denounced the use of Tubman’s image on a bank card as disrespectful, while others focused on the Wakanda-like gesture.
Sports journalist J.A. Adande appeared to question the notion of using an important African American historical figure for a financial product. “I’m gonna pass on the Harriet Tubman debit card and wait for the Sojourner Truth gift card,” he tweeted, referencing another abolitionist icon.
It’s also not clear if the gesture of fists crossed high on the chest is the most commonly used sign for “love.” Isidore Niyongabo, president of National Black Deaf Advocates, said the bank’s Tubman depiction is close to either the word “love” or “freedom” but not really either. Despite the indiscernible sign language, Niyongabo said he appreciated the campaign.
“Actually, I was inspired,” Niyongabo said in a text message. “First of all, because I cannot imagine separating Harriet Tubman’s legacy, work and leadership from the true meaning of Black empowerment. It is not often that we get to see our heroes honored at such level.”
Despite the reaction, OneUnited’s Williams said she stands by the design decisions on the card.
“I still think the message we are conveying is a very positive message,” Williams said. “But I respect the comments we’ve received.”
In addition to its limited-edition Harriet Tubman Card, OneUnited Bank will promote the “Right to Vote” theme for Black History Month to elevate the #BankBlack and #BuyBlack Movements to the next level and beyond. For more information, visit www.oneunited.com/HarrietTubman.
