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Cardi B imitates Hindu goddess for shoe line

Cardi B faced backlash for cultural appropriation of Hinduism this week, Vulture reports. The rapper and singer imitated the Hindu goddess Durga in an ad campaign for her sneaker collection with Reebok. 

Cardi B publicly apologized Wednesday via Instagram story, according to Billboard, claiming that she intended to represent Durga’s ‘femininity and liberation.’ 

“When I did the Reebok shoot, the creatives told me I was going to represent a goddess, that she represents strength…and that’s something I love and I’m all about,” Cardi B said. “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 have done my research,” she continued. “I’m sorry, I can’t change the past, but I will do more research for the future.”

In the images for Footwear News magazine, Cardi B holds a red sneaker while surrounded by Durga’s eight arms, Vulture reports. According to fans, Durga’s arms usually hold weapons representing war and strength; furthermore, the images are more offensive when considering that shoes are not allowed in Hindu temples. 

“Durga maa is not to be used as an aesthetic,” Twitter user @wotermelonsugrx tweeted. 

According to Billboard, Footwear News also apologized via social media Wednesday and removed the images. 

“Our intent was to show a powerful woman,” Footwear News stated. “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.” 

The scandal is the latest in a long pattern. Just last month, AsAmNews covered Rihanna’s cultural appropriation of Islam’s sacred hadith in a song for her Savage X Fenty lingerie show. 

“I’d like to thank the Muslim community for pointing out a huge oversight that was unintentionally offensive in our savage x fenty show,” the singer and designer said. “I do not play with any kind of disrespect toward God or any religion and therefore the use of the song in our project was completely irresponsible!” 

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