Cardi B … The Cultural Appropriator?

Cardi B has come under fire for her recent Reebok campaign and fans are now asking ‘is the rapper a cultural appropriator?’

The ad is a striking one. Cardi is featured channeling the Hindu goddess Durga while simultaneously showcasing her new, bright red sneakers. The “WAP” rapper initially posted the image on her Instagram page…

But, deleted it a short time later as fans took issue with the fact that Cardi isn’t Hindu and what she was doing was NOT paying homage.

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

— This user does not exist 🙂 (@wotermelonsugrx) November 11, 2020

Fans flooded Twitter with messages calling out Cardi for cultural appropriation and for being downright disrespectful.

every “Hindu” that is quoting this saying they’re “okay” with this is a cardi fan page. i don’t care for her or what she does and i dont even like dragging her but what we not finna do is pretend this is ok. u may not be offended cuz ure her stan but dont invalidate others. https://t.co/OCD1lzAlsq

— RaZan Malik Minaj🇸🇩🤍 (@razanabdd1) November 10, 2020

As a Hindu I am very disappointed with Cardi B. Using the image of a goddess to sell some shoes is disrespectful… I don’t dislike her i’m just very disappointed since I was a big fan😞 pic.twitter.com/2RZVJYZWHY

— €hun🎈 (@theexoprintt) November 10, 2020

Not a Hindu but I think Cardi B is lowkey being disrespectful pic.twitter.com/Thi0Zmi7C3

— ARMY BLINK CHERRY (@ARMYBLINKCHERR1) November 11, 2020

Eventually, Cardi took to Instagram and apologized stating:

“When I did the Reebok shoot the creative told me I’d be a goddess that represents strength, femininity, and liberation, and that is something I love, that I’m all about and I thought it was dope. If people think I offended their culture or religion I want to say I’m sorry – that was not my intent. I would not want anyone to disrespect my religion, with people dressed as the Virgin Mary or Jesus, as long as they do it in a beautiful and graceful way. Maybe I should’ve done my research. I’m sorry. I can’t change the past but I’m gonna do more research for the future.”

Do you accept Cardi’s apology?