Rapper Cardi B is on her way to launch her very own sneaker collection. She recently graced the cover of a magazine named Footwear News and gave the audience a sneak peek of the sneakers, reports Daily Mail. However, her promotion strategy has left several Indians enraged.
On the cover, Cardi B can be seen donning a red outfit, spreading out 8 additional hands and holding a red sneaker. She wished to embody the goddess Durga and pay her homage, reports Hindustan Times.
The caption read, “In a Georges Hobeika 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.”
However, for many Indians, her embodiment of Goddess Durga was downright disrespectful. Why? People took to Twitter to list why. Have a look:
So some people are saying Cardi B is paying homeage to our hindu goddess Durga.
As a hindu, I want to say that, durga maa is never depicted bare bodied.
Secondly it is prohibited to wear shoes in a temple and this woman is holding a shoe on her hand depicting goddess Durga? pic.twitter.com/Dr45M4azmO— Isha⸆⸉ ᴺᴹ (Rt pinned pls) (@onlytearskaty) November 11, 2020
as far as I know, we don't wear shoes anywhere around holy places be it of any culture in India. we always walk in bare footed in holy places and Cardi B is holding a damn show in her hand making it more disrespectful?!?!
And you all turn a blind eye when it's about India?— Tamanna 🖇 (@StillFearlessxx) November 11, 2020
As a Hindu I want to say that
Firstly wearing a shoe near Durga maa is prohibited. Secondly Durga maa is not to be used as an aesthetic. Cardi ain't paying homage to her. She's disrespecting her. Know the difference pic.twitter.com/zfyTn7UEvx— Sun♡'s Soums, P & h2 | Jiya²⁸ misses Lou (@Fireproofx18) November 11, 2020
cardi this is disrespectful, you don't hold shoes and pay 'homeage' to Durga Maa like that, shoes aren't allowed in temples pic.twitter.com/uRINftS4wm
— udi⁷ • D-9 (@btssed) 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:
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— Aadi 𑁍 (@wotermelonsugrx) November 11, 2020
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
CARDI B OUT HERE USING A HINDU GODDESS AS HER AESTHETIC WHAT THE FUCK pic.twitter.com/3ysFx1YHqx
— Varu ❀ (@yourlocalbicc) November 11, 2020
Addressing the backlash, the rapper took to Instagram to apologise, reports The Indian Express. In a video, Cardi B said:
“When I did the shoot, the creatives told me I was going to represent a Goddess; that she represents strength, femininity and liberation, and that’s something I love and I’m all about. And though it was dope, 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 it if someone did it to my religion.”
“oI wasn’t trying to be disrespectful; maybe I should have done my research. I’m sorry, I can’t change the past but I will do more research for the future,” she added.
Do you think this is appreciation or downright cultural appropriation? Tell us!