This Black-Owned Bank Put Harriet Tubman on a Debit Card and Social Media Lost It

OneUnited president and artist stand behind the design

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On Thursday, OneUnited Bank announced a new limited-edition Black History Month version of its Visa debit card. The card features a rendition of famed American abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader Harriet Tubman with her arms folded across her chest, created by Miami-based artist Addonis Parker.

But when the bank announced the new card on Twitter, reactions were swift and critical. 

https://twitter.com/YeshaCallahan/status/1228087514813960192

Some assumed the project had been led by a clueless white marketing team. Many interpreted Tubman’s crossed arms as the “Wakanda Forever” salute from the Marvel film Black Panther.

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