Release of Pinjra Tod Activists And Victoria's Secret Rebrand: Topics That Ruled Social Media Last Week
Many across India experienced a sliver of joy amid the gloom of coronavirus when Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha walked out of Tihar Jail on Thursday. The three were part of activists who were imprisoned for over a year after being arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
The trio was met by jubilant greetings from family, friends, students and members of Pinjra Tod, the female students’ collective that Kalita and Narwal are part of.
Politician Kavita Krishnan and activist Safoora Zargar joined in the celebrations along with the conversation online.
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First sip of joy in a long long drought. Tastes bitter sweet (thinking of Mahendra Narwal, and all the political prisoners, poor undertrial prisoners, still in jail), but still it's nourishing. pic.twitter.com/zw8cTbV0HS— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) June 17, 2021
Bail to Devangana, Natasha & Asif in UAPA case. ✊🏽✊🏽
One of the happiest days of my life. Let more follow. Let justice prevail.
Alhamdulillah— Safoora Zargar (@SafooraZargar) June 15, 2021
As uncertainties over COVID-19 continue to mount, the CBSE announced that the 12th grade board examinations would be cancelled. It also detailed the combination of the marks that would be aggregated to formulate the final result. Several older social media users thanked their stars for avoiding this unfortunate fate, with many stating that they would never have been able to score if this was the case during their years.
Advocate Mamta Sharma who filed the petition in the Supreme Court tweeted updates on the same.
CBSE private category students concern will certainly be addressed on next date of hearing. Stay calm. pic.twitter.com/9KShIiADbS
— Mamta Sharma (@AdvMamtaSharma) June 18, 2021
Many congratulations to Assam students.
Collectively we all won. https://t.co/8tuMQ8GEwk— Mamta Sharma (@AdvMamtaSharma) June 18, 2021
With size zero bodies no longer in vogue and their fashions losing momentum, lingerie and sportswear brand Victoria’s Secret announced a complete rebrand replete with new, more holistic brand ambassadors. Replacing the waif-thin ‘Victoria’s Secret Angels’ are American footballer Megan Rapinoe and actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Lingerie expert, entrepreneur, and author Cora Harrington shared her insights on why she believes this move might actually hurt the credibility of the new faces associated with the brand.
I was having dinner with a friend, so my thoughts on this:
1) Any rebrand without a size expansion is DOA.
2) I don’t think this new VS Council or whatever it’s called will change Victoria’s secret brand credibility. It might hurt the image of those associated with it though. https://t.co/T1YQZTpwzp— Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) June 17, 2021
I also don’t believe - and I’m not sure if I’m phrasing this right - that bringing on queer folks and trans folks and POC and someone who wears a size 14 automatically makes the brand more inclusive or aware. VS isn’t suddenly a pro-LGBTQ company or plus size company.
— Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) June 17, 2021
Many believe that the move is too little too late and might be too severe a pivot for a brand that has built a legacy of bodyshaming women without being inclusive of people of all sizes and genders.