With Black History Month in full swing, OneUnited Bank debuted a debit card featuring abolitionist Harriet Tubman apparently doing the "Wakanda Forever" salute from Black Panther. Backlash then ensued on Twitter.In a tweet featuring the design of the debit card, OneUnited wrote, "Our limited-edition Harriet Tubman Visa Debit Card is a symbol of Black empowerment. Don't miss out! #GetTheCard today!"
Many on Twitter believed that it was inappropriate to depict an iconic abolitionist performing the gesture. Journalist Billie Jean Shaw wrote, "This is so disrespectful..... Harriet Tubman throwing up the Wakanda sign. This is NOT #ForTheCulture."
As the backlash grew, OneUnited Bank did offer a response on Twitter, claiming that the image actually wasn't meant to evoke the "Wakanda Forever" salute at all. They wrote, "Harriet Tubman is the ultimate symbol of love - love that causes you to sacrifice everything, including your own life."Â The bank continued, "The gesture is the sign language symbol for love. It's so important that we love ourselves."
Aside from the controversial card, the freedom fighter has been experiencing a cultural renaissance with the release of the biopic Harriet, which garnered two Academy Award nominations for Best Song and Best Actress for star Cynthia Erivo.