Put Madam C.J. Walker on the $20 bill not Harriet Tubman
Summary
A straphanger has a controversial take on the push to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. She argues Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made Black millionaire who built a hair product empire, deserves the honor instead because she represents money and the comeup better than someone who freed slaves. Her reasoning? "She looks mad and you should feel good about pulling money out your pocket." Kareem initially opts out of having an opinion on this one, but the rider's passionate argument about wanting to see a role model of financial freedom on currency eventually wins him over. The conversation gets delicate fast, balancing respect for Tubman's legacy with the desire for representation that feels aspirational rather than painful.
Full Transcript
Years ago they was trying to put a Black person on a $20 bill, and they was going to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. And I don't think you should put her on a $20 bill because I think you should put Madam C.J. Walker on a $20 bill because she represents money a little bit better than Harriet Tubman.
I don't have an opinion on this one. I'm sorry. [laughter]
I'm sorry. I'm opting out. She's a better representation of money because she represents the struggle and she represents the comeup because Madam C.J. Walker was the first self-made Black millionaire. Why don't we put her on the hundo at least? I just don't think that she should go on money at all because she look angry and you should feel good about pulling money out your pocket.
You don't think Harriet Tubman should go on money 'cause she looks mad?
Yeah, she looks mad and her name's Madam. This is more prestigious than this.
What did Madam C.J. Walker do?
She made hair product for Black women.
And Harriet Tubman. And Harriet Tubman, uh, uh, she freed—she freed slaves. But it's like now there's a slave on my money. It's like I don't want to pull this out. I want to feel good about pulling $20 out my pocket and be like, "Yes, here's a Madam. Do you have an opinion on this and that?"
Now I do. I'm with you.
Thank you.
I'm really with you. We want to see role model. I mean, she is both. Oh, God. Harriet T is a role model.
Yeah. I mean, she did what she had did or whatever, but I'm talking about who represents freedom more. It's the girl who was the uh, the first self-made Black millionaire. She belongs on money and Harriet Tubman like just acknowledge her all the time every year for Black History Month. Respectfully though, 'cause I wouldn't have did this. [laughter]