After fans accused her of appropriating Hindu culture, Cardi B is issuing an apology.
The 28-year-old rapper came under fire after appearing on the November cover of Footwear News to promote her sneaker collaboration with Reebok. For the cover shoot, Cardi is pictured with 10 arms, seemingly an imitation of the goddess Durga and is holding a shoe.
Several people called out the "WAP" artist on social media, deeming the photos "straight-up racist," an act of "plain disrespect" and in no way an "homage" to the Hindu goddess.
Following the backlash, Cardi took to Instagram Stories to apologize.
Cardi B apologizes for her Footwear News cover
— Female Rap Room (@FemaleRapRoom) November 11, 2020
“I should’ve done my research, I’m sorry. I can’t change the past but I’m gonna do more research in the future” pic.twitter.com/2nnsGCGyYU
"When I did the Reebok 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," she explained on Wednesday.
"And though it was dope, if people think I'm offending their culture or their religion I want to say I’m sorry," she continued. "That was not my intent. I do not like disrespecting nobody's religion. I wouldn't like people to offend my religion. 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 will do more research for the future."
Additionally, in a statement to People, Footwear News apologized and announced they would be releasing another version of the cover.
The statement reads, "... 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."
MORE: Rihanna apologizes for Islamic text at her Savage X Fenty showIt continued, "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."
