Rapper Cardi B has issued an apology after facing backlash for hurting "religious sentiments" through an ad campaign for her debut sneaker collection with Reebok. In the post that generated much controversy, Cardi B is seen "paying homage" to Hindu Goddess Durga while promoting her sneaker collection. However, the release post didn’t go well with many Indians, as they called it ‘insensitive’ and ‘disrespectful’.
Cardi B meant to pay homage to Goddess Durga
The 28-year-old reportedly was paying homage to Goddess Durga, who is seen as the symbol of strength and protection in the Hindu religion. In the picture, Cardi B was seen wearing a bright red Georges Hobeika with her arms projected in eight different positions. While two of Cardi B’s arms are crossed over the head, another pair holds a stark red sneaker. The shoot was primarily for the cover of Footwear News magazine, which took place in late October.
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“So excited for my sneaker drop this Friday November 13th! Hope you guys love it!” the WAP hitmaker captioned the post. Footwear News shared the shoot photo with the caption, “In a @GeorgesHobeika dress, she pays homage to Durga, the Hindu goddess, whose symbols of protection and inner strength resonate as much in modern times as they have through the centuries. Like Durga, Cardi B is a dominant female voice at a critical time.”
Many Indian social media users took offence with the bare bodied embodiment of Goddess Durga, who is shown holding footwear in her hands. Hindus pointed out that not only was it inappropriate to portray the goddess as bare-bodied but even wearing shoes to a temple is prohibited in the religion.
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One Twitter user wrote, “People are saying Cardi B is paying homeage to our hindu goddess Durga. So as a Hindu I want to say that: 1-Wearing a shoe in a temple is prohibited 2-Durga maa is not to be used as an aesthetic 3-Durga maa is NEVER depicted bare bodied 4-THIS. IS. NOT. HOMAGE. IT'S. DISRESPECT.”
Another Twitter user wrote, “even for someone who really liked cardi b, i don’t think it’s okay to literally exploit a culture for her personal gains. cultural appropriation is NOT okay. she’s promoting shoes through something that many consider sacred. That is NOT okay.”
Cardi B apologises for the shoot
Following the backlash, Cardi B posted a series of Instagram stories in which she apologised for the campaign adding that she didn’t mean to ‘hurt anyone’s sentiments’. She wrote, “When I did the shoot, the creatives told me that I was going to represent a Goddess, that she represents strength, femininity and liberation, and that’s something that I love and I’m all about, and though it was dope. But if people think I’m offending their culture or their religion I want to say that was not my intent. I do not like offending anyone’s religion; I wouldn’t like anyone disrespecting my culture.” She added, “I cannot change the past, but in future, I will be more careful and do my research.” Cardi B also deleted the post from her Instagram handle.
Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.
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