Cardi B is apologizing to the Hindu community for her offending their culture in a new ad campaign for her Reebok Club C Collection. A cover image from Footwear News was released and depicts Cardi as the Hindy goddess, Durga.
Durga is the Hindu goddess of war, strength and protection. The Durga’s mythology centers around “combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dharma the power of good over evil.” Traditionally, the goddess holds weapons in her eight arms but, in the image that has now been deleted from Cardi’s instagram profile, she is simply holding a show. A sneaker to be, exact.
Among the many comments on social media is the critique that shoes aren’t even allowed in a Hindi temple and that perhaps, maybe, try to learn about who you’re depicting before actually doing it.
The rapper tuned into the social media discourse and responded to the comments via Instagram Live.
She stated, “When I did the Reebok shoot, the creatives were telling me, ‘You’re going to represent a goddess,’ that she represents strength, femininity, and liberation,” Cardi explained. “That’s something that I love and that I’m all about and I thought that it was dope. But if people think I’m offending [their] culture or their religion, I want to say I’m sorry. That was not my intent, I do not like disrespecting nobody’s religion.”
“Maybe I should’ve done my research and I’m sorry. I can’t change the past, but I’m gonna do more research for the future.”
Perhaps she should have talked to Selena Gomez and Doja Cat, who faced similar ire when they too were accused of appropriating Hindu culture. Word to the wise–always do your research!