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OneUnited Bank’s Harriet Tubman Card Is A Success

To the surprise of many, OneUnited Bank's Harriet Tubman debit card is a massive success.

Despite the heavy criticism upon its initial release, OneUnited Bank's limited edition Harriet Tubman debit card has been a massive success for the institution. When it was first premiered the bank's social media accounts, people thought that the image of Harriet Tubman was throwing up the "Wakanda Forever" sign. However, that wasn't the case at all and the bank has debunked the narrative in a recent interview with CNN. 

OneUnited Bank's Harriet Tubman Card Is A Success

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The debit card was originally inspired by Barack Obama's decision to replace Andrew Jackson on the twenty-dollar bill with the world-renowned American heroin in 2016. The painting of Harriet Tubman with arms folded into her chest entitled "The Conquerer" was completed in 2016 by Miami-based artist Addonis Parker, two years prior to the release of Black Panther (2018). However, that didn't stop Twitter from coming at OneUnited's new-look debit card. Check out some of the Tweets taking shots at the card below:

The release of the card increased the volume of account sign-ups by approximately ten percent and prompted existing customers to request that they switch their cards to the new design. This one card has influenced a new wave of bank-seekers to take their talents to OneUnited, similar to the response the bank received in 2016 when Killer Mike was urging the culture to #BankBlack. 

OneUnited Bank's COO, Teri Williams cleared the air about the mixup by revealing that Harriet Tubman was actually throwing up the sign language gesture for love stating:

"It is the actual American Sign Language gesture for love. Wakanda also got it from that. It really does all start with black love, which is a good place to start on Valentine's Day. It's important to love ourselves, love our history and recognize we're much further along in our journey than people would like us to believe."

Williams also debunked the Twitter myth that a white executive thought of the idea for the card stating that OneUnited Bank is "unapologetically black." If you're interested in banking with America's largest black-owned bank, you can do so, here. Check out OneUnited Bank's Harriet Tubman card in all of its glory in the photo provided below. 

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Harriet Tubman Wakanda Bank Card Set Social Media On Fire

Harriet Tubman supporters have been fighting for her to become the new face of the $20 bill, but in the meantime, you can get a debit card.

Black History Month always sparks tributes from companies looking to honor black historical figures who have helped change the course of history. OneUnited Bank shared that they've decided to highlight the accomplishments of Harriet Tubman by featuring new artwork of the former slave and abolitionist on their bank card—an image that shows Tubman crossing her arms in front of her chest a la Black Panther's Wakanda.

Harriet Tubman Wakanda Bank Card Set Social Media On Fire
Chip Somodevilla / Staff / Getty Images

OneUnited Bank, the largest black-owned bank in the United States, wrote on their website, "Harriet Tubman not only escaped slavery, she made nineteen missions to bring 300 others, including family and friends, to freedom, served in the Union Army and was an activist for women’s voting rights. With her impact on American history, she deserves to be on the $20 bill. The Harriet Tubman Visa Debit Card is the first limited edition card offered by OneUnited Bank. The limited-edition card will only be available in 2020. Anyone who obtains the limited-edition Harriet Tubman Card in 2020 can carry the card design for life."

While the gesture is admirable, it wasn't as well-received online as the company expected. There were some people who seemed excited to own a Tubman-faced debit card, but the overall consensus was that it was somehow disrespectful to the leader's memory. Check out the bank card below and read through a few reactions. Are people over-reacting?