Cardi B apologises for "mocking" Hindu culture with Durga inspired photoshoot
12 November 2020, 12:49
Cardi B apologises for Goddess Durga inspired Reebok shoot
Durga is the Hindu goddess of war Durga and she represents strength and protection.
Cardi B has apologised for "disrespecting" Hinduism after she appeared on the cover of Footwear News' November issue in a photoshoot inspired by Hindu goddess Durga.
In the campaign images in question – which were taken to promote her upcoming collaboration with Reebok – the 'WAP' rapper is wearing a red gown and has multiple arms, which are holding Reebok trainers. The image was inspired by Hindu goddess of war Durga, who represents strength and protection, and is known for having multiple arms.
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Cardi was accused of using Durga for an aesthetic and "mocking" Hindu culture.
Cardi b did not pay “homage” to the Hindu goddess Durga by holding a shoe in her hand, this is plain disrespect and in no way cultural appreciation. she can’t getaway with this without addressing and apologizing for mocking our culture pic.twitter.com/ZLVcz0mBlB
— Hana 🤍 (@MissAmericHANA) November 11, 2020
People are saying Cardi B is paying homeage to our hindu goddess Durga. So as a Hindu I want to say that:
— This user does not exist :) (@wotermelonsugrx) November 11, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/K4QFa431tP
CARDI B OUT HERE USING A HINDU GODDESS AS HER AESTHETIC WHAT THE FUCK pic.twitter.com/3ysFx1YHqx
— Varu ❀ (@yourlocalbicc) November 11, 2020
The same people who were telling Muslims that they were over-reacting over the Carlie Hebdo cartoons of The Prophet, are now having meltdowns because Cardi B posed as Maa Durga during a photoshoot.
— Natasha 🌈 نتاشا (@nuts2406) November 11, 2020
There must be some logic to it, but I don't see it.
Cardi B out here thinking she's Ma Durga. Ma'am no, you aren't. Stop messing with others religion. And ofc yet AGAIN no one will give two fucks about this except for us.
— মেঘলা☁️NCT 2020 (@xuxidesi) November 10, 2020
Cardi B using Durga Maa to sell trainers?? When are people gonna realise our gods and goddesses aren’t there to be mimicked...
— Geeta💙ॐ (@GeetaChelseaFC) November 11, 2020
Cardi has now responded to the backlash on Instagram Stories and taken accountability for not doing her research. "Sorry guys, I didn't mean to offend or disrespect anybody's culture, she explained.
"When I did the Reebok shoot, the creator was telling me you're going to represent a goddess who represents strength, femininity and liberation, and that's something that I love, that's something I'm all about and I thought that was dope. But if people feel that I’m offending their culture or their religion, I want to say I’m sorry. That was not my intent."
She added: "I do not like disrespecting nobodies religion, I wouldn't want people to offend my religion. When people dress as the Virgin Mary, or Jesus as long as they're doing it in a beautiful or graceful way and a respectful way I don't feel a certain type of way. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, maybe I should have done my research. I'm sorry. I can't change the past but I'm going to do more research in the future."
Footwear News has now also issued an apology on their Instagram page. Their statement read: "One of the images was intended to pay homage to Hindu goddess Durga, and our intent was to show a powerful woman. However, we realize we were not considerate of certain cultural and religious perspectives and how this could be perceived as deeply offensive.
"We take full accountability for this oversight and we apologize. It is important we learn from this example and are sensitive to this sort of religious imagery when creative discussions are taking place in the future."
