Unapologetically Black: OneUnited Bank Issues Harriet Tubman Debit Card
In honor of Black History Month, America’s self-proclaimed largest black-owned bank, OneUnited Bank announced they’re issuing a limited edition Harriet Tubman debit card.
Following its release, Twitter went into an uproar for pandering to black customers; this as the card depicts a painting of Tubman with hands clenched and arms crossed across her chest, Wakanda-style.
RELATED: Giving You A Sneak Peek Of The Harriet Tubman Biopic
OneUnited Bank President and Chief Operating Officer Teri Williams tells TMZ, “We absolutely stand by the card. I think a lot of people don’t even know who OneUnited Bank is. We are the largest black-owned bank. We’ve been in business for 50 years. We are unapologetically black. We really wanted to celebrate Harriet Tubman. We came up with the idea in 2016, when it was announced that she was going to be on the $20 bill.” Williams goes on to ask, “Why are white people only on money?”
Further explaining the hand gesture depicted on the debit card, Williams adds, “That is the sign language gesture of ‘love’. It is to represent, not only love of yourself, but love of our community.”
RELATED: Judge Joe Brown Believes Putting Harriet Tubman On The $20 Bill ‘Downs Masculinity’
When asked if anyone’s reach out to or from the family of Tubman, Williams shares, “We haven’t heard from them at the moment. They did talk to us about the $20 bill and important that was to them; and they feel that the message of economic empowerment is one that Harriet Tubman should be more known for.”