Debiting Harriet
Big controversy.
Involving Harriet Tubman.
And a debit card?
YUP.
OneUnited Bank, the largest black-owned financial institution in the U.S., is facing ridicule for releasing a new Harriet Tubman debit card to coincide with Black History Month.
Tubman freed dozens of slaves after escaping from slavery herself in the 19th century. OneUnited Bank described its card as a "symbol of black empowerment" in 2020.
However, many people on social media criticized the bank for using an image of a woman who fought against slavery to promote a capitalistic idea.
Others also mocked the card for appearing to show Tubman performing the "Wakanda forever" salute from the Marvel superhero movie Black Panther.
"I'm still struggling to get to grips with the fact that OneUnited Bank actually made Harriet Tubman, someone who would have absolutely hated being used for political capital by them, do the 'Wakanda Forever' pose on a debit card," wrote esports journalist Richard Lewis on Twitter, calling it "insane."
Ummmmmm......yeah, that's a weird idea. And a weird pose.
I don't think OneUnited Bank's marketing team (in-house or outsourced) had their A-game going with this one.
Harriet is an American treasure. A valient heroine. Not a debit card spokesperson.
Watch it be a huge hit just because of the controversy.
(More here: https://www.oneunited.com/harriettubman/)
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
