Former slave Harriet Tubman should not be on the $20 bill, according to rapper Kanye West.
In an interview with radio host Charlamagne tha God released Tuesday, West said he’d prefer to have someone like Michael Jordan on U.S. money instead of Tubman.
“That was the moment when I wanted to use Bitcoin, when I saw Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill,” West explained. “It’s like when you see all the slave movies, it’s like why you gotta keep reminding us about slavery. Why don’t you put Michael Jordan on the $20 bill?”
Charlamagne responded: “Harriet Tubman was a slave who rebelled, though.”
[Celebrities approve of Harriet Tubman on $20 bill]
West, admitting that his stance could cause an uproar, said Tubman was too historical to be relatable.
“Certain icons is just too far in the past and not relatable, and that’s what makes them safe,” West said. “They’ll let you go on the Grammys and let you talk about slavery and racism because it’s not talking about [economic empowerment.]”
Tubman’s future appearance on the $20 bill was announced in 2016. She was planned to make her debut on the bill in 2020, but those plans have since stalled, Fortune reported.
