While we’ve been debating on whether or not Rihanna is Fashionista of the Year, Dutch Magazine Jackie has its own title to bestow on the pop diva: the Ultimate ” Niggabitch.”
The magazine references Ms. Fenty’s “street cred,” and “ghetto ass” as top qualifications for this award, saying she “displays that gladly, and for her that means: what’s on can come off. If that means she’ll be on stage half naked, then so be it.” They also refer to Rihanna as “Jamaican,” because in their world, Jamaica and Barbados are the same place, as they are Caribbean islands where black people with funny accents live. We don’t need to break down this language to know it is rife with ignorant racist imagery. It’s offensive (albeit unsuprising), and filled with misguided ideas about what it means to exist as a black person in the world.
Rihanna showing what a true "niggabitch" is made of
The magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Eva Hoeke issued an apology saying: “I can be brief about this: this should have never happened. Period. While the author meant no harm — the title of the article was intended as a joke — it was a bad joke, to say the least. And that slipped through my, the editor-in-chief’s, fingers. Stupid, painful and sucks for all concerned. The author has been addressed on it, and now I can only ensure that these terms will no longer end up in the magazine. Furthermore I hope that you all believe there was absolutely no racist motive behind the choice of words. It was stupid, it was naive to think that this was an acceptable form of slang — you hear it all the time on TV and radio, then your idea of what is normal apparently shifts — but it was especially misguided: there was no malice behind it.We make our magazine with love, energy and enthusiasm, and it can sometimes happen that someone is out of line. And then you can only do one thing: apologize. And hope that others wish to accept it. From the bottom of my heart I say it again: we never intended to offend anyone. And I mean that.”
You can try to make the argument for a bad translation or a misunderstanding of American culture and the use of and history behind that word, but it is a feeble one as western (and other) societies are well aware of the hurt those words carry for black people, especially in this country. To use the age-old trope “but black people use it,” is, to say the least, a cop out, as I am positive many of these people wouldn’t dare use the homosexual slur “faggot” although some homosexuals use the word within their community.
Furthermore, there are a number of people involved in the publishing of a magazine. This copy is something that was undoubtedly seen by several editors, layout people, etc. The ‘ol “oops it slipped through my fingers” non-excuse is a little insulting because, if we’re going to believe that the Editor in Chief was unaware of the situation, that means all the other people who saw this didn’t care, or worse, just see us as a bunch of “niggabitches” anyway.
But at the end of the day, there is no way to use a loaded and offensive word and not mean to be offensive. Period. While I wish I could describe this as a teaching moment, these blatantly racist things happen so often, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before something equally racist and offensive happens again.
What say you? Do you think the writers and editors really didn’t see how this would offend anyone?
~Jihan
December 19, 2011 6:39 pm
Just disgusting…SMH!
December 19, 2011 6:41 pm
You’re right it’s nothing but a matter of time until this happens again. Just sick and sad.
December 19, 2011 6:42 pm
I need everyone involved w/ the publication of this magazine to go have SEVERAL seats in a dark corner. \__ <– seat. {\___/} <— sofa. |_____| <— park bench.
There was truly no excuse for it and that weak apology letter is as effective as Chris Brown's burnt sienna apology blouse was. Ugh. Now I got an attitude.
December 19, 2011 6:42 pm
i am disgusted by this ,but first of all i am disgusted that the N word is still prevelant in the african American community. Nigger means a stupid, and african americans are stupid for using that word. how long are we gonna bring ourselves down. Of course you call yourself stupid hence other people are going to see you as stupid. African american community rise up and stop using this vile word it does not serve anything except make other people look down upon you. So lets not get angry when other people or races use this word on us cause you have given them permission by using it ourselves.
December 19, 2011 6:44 pm
Those non English speaking European countries are extremely racist and they don’t hide it either.
December 19, 2011 6:51 pm
This hurts on so many levels. 1) The tone deaf attitude of the current generation of youth of all colors. If you’re under 25 it seems that you have no concept of how to deal with race, and you don’t care. 2) It just reaffirms that this is one of the most complex periods of black identity in the history of the world. It’s exciting, but most days it’s just scary to be black and to think about what that means. 3) And most deeply, it’s doubly insulting that this happened in a Dutch magazine. Amazing that the pioneers of the slave trade can revel in their own insensitivity and ignorance. 4) It’s stunning that the apology feels like not enough. wowzers.
December 19, 2011 6:52 pm
They are the dumbest. No excuse. They are the dumbest.
December 19, 2011 6:52 pm
I’m sorry everyone with an accent is NOT Jamaican!
December 19, 2011 7:15 pm
Wow!!! The EIC said it all…”a bad joke” Ya’ll joke like that? Really? Really! It seems to me that it is an inner office joke and forgot to change it before going to print. And all you could do is apologize and hope that it is accepted? Nice!
December 19, 2011 7:21 pm
Unreal – and yet so not surprising!
December 19, 2011 7:24 pm
The article is on the edge but….. Keep in mind that Dutch are way more free to express them then what press in USA can do. And they can go way more towards the edge with it. Negro, nigger has not the same context it has it has in USA. And it is published in a Dutch language magazine. On TV for instance you can say whatever you want without being beeped. If you say fuck the queen or fuck the president or the queen is white trash… they will air it. I guess Netherlands is not the same as the US? Racism because of colour is not realy an issue in Netherlands. It is a much larger problem in the USA. Maybe that is why Americans react too sensitive on these kind of foreign journalism.
I hope the Dutch keep their openess and freedom of speach also in their press. I hope they are not copying the too sensitive American journalism, were some react out of proportion on certain things and not at all focused on what realy is going on or the reason why things are written or in what context. Like Amsterdam has often been blaimed as a pool of crime in leading American media ………. and in real most Americans feel much safer in Amsterdam than at home. Discrimination is much more an issue in the USA then in the Netherlands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BeoYa1wwcM
December 19, 2011 7:25 pm
I’m actually more surprised at their pathetic apology, more so than the article. The United States is the most diverse country in the world and our President the most powerful man however when he’s criticized I cant help but think “Would the disdain be present if he were white?”…I’m so not surprised that these white-wash countries would print and distribute such ignorance.
December 19, 2011 7:35 pm
Unacceptable is an understatement for this. Im sure everyone who was involved in publishing this crap knew it was wrong. Not ok at all, but then again maybe they assumed “Ni**abitches” wouldn’t mind ….smh.
December 19, 2011 7:40 pm
I am from the Netherlands and what’s interesting is the fact that this morning, this Eva chick tweeted that we were being too sensitive and that it was a joke. Now, 130 negative comments on their fan page later, she issues a statement saying it was in poor taste, the word slipped through the cracks and a bunch of other nonsense. This is what we as Black people have to deal with constantly. The Dutch are very non-apologetic too. If you don’t like it, then go back where you came from!
December 19, 2011 7:47 pm
THANK YOU BLACK WOMEN FOR STANDING UP FOR THIS!!! I AM UPSET BY THIS BUT IT MAKES ME SMILE WHEN I CAN HERE BLACKS SAY OUT LOUD THAT THIS WORD IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! AND WE ARE EDUCATED, WE DONT HAVE MAKE AN EXCUSE WHETHER ITS “ER” OR “A”. THE MEANING DOESNT CHANGE, THE HURT DOESNT CHANGE, AND MOTIVE BEHIND IT DOESNT CHANGE! I APPLAUD MY EDUCATED BLACK FEMALES!!! <3 YA'LL
December 19, 2011 7:48 pm
THE DUTCH STARTED SLAVERY I WOULDNT EXPECT THEIR SINCERITY ANYWAY x/
December 19, 2011 8:00 pm
jasmine, no disrespect and we’re all mad but….why is you yellin’ yo? :)
December 19, 2011 8:02 pm
IM NOT YELLING I JUST WRITE IN CAPS SWEETY! ITS A HABIT :P
December 19, 2011 8:31 pm
that so call editor know what she was doing… she should have goggle the term and know that was offensive… there is no excuse for that.. as a Jamaican i hate when people think that we cant speak English because of our accent.. and the dumbness thing is people fail to realize that they have accent too!
December 19, 2011 8:53 pm
I never understand apologies sometimes, if you say something or write something offensive is because you mean it and don’t try later on to be fake and say that you’re sorry when you know you aren’t. Shame on that publication and everybody involved!
December 19, 2011 8:56 pm
Just ridiculous. This just tells to show us that racism is very much prevalent not only in America but around the world. So sad…smh
December 19, 2011 8:57 pm
really just dnt kno what to say
December 19, 2011 8:58 pm
Appalling to say the least,that was no apology. Furthermore why hasn’t Rihanna & her team reacted to this garbage of an article.
December 19, 2011 9:07 pm
There is no excuse for this type of ignorance in this day in age. Slipped through the editor fingers…Right? Sad that people are starved for knowledge and drowning in information. Stupid is as stupid does…!
December 19, 2011 9:28 pm
While this is disgusting, I’m not surprised. I wonder what Rihanna thinks of this.
December 19, 2011 9:29 pm
As a member of the publishing industry, and as you already pointed out, they knew what they were doing. That magazine went through rounds of edits, fact checks and several pairs of eyes before being published. So for it to actually get published without anyone questioning says that the staff at that magazine actually is racist since no one cared enough to stop it (because in their minds that’s what black women are) or they’ve been sipping stupid juice. Bottom line. And then had the nerve to insult us with an apology. How could something so blatantly racist not have been meant to offend? WTF!
December 19, 2011 9:36 pm
This is right out racism. I grew up in Germany, and of course people know what is offensive and what isn’t – you really do not need to be a white American to know this. They did this title on purpose and probably to be “controversial and ‘provocative’”. God how I hate this white media/journalist attitude – seen it all before and way too often.
December 19, 2011 10:29 pm
I’m appalled by it all. The editor is only trying to cover herself with the release of that statement. Wow, just wow.
December 19, 2011 10:35 pm
Born in the Caribbean and lived in the Netherlands now in US. There are so many offenses here that I would take too long to name. Suffice it to say that Europe like mainstream has a difficult time embracing a black woman as anything other than disposable piece of meat. The simpletons who found this amusing should be fired but that won’t happen because the leadership condoned this foolishness. The apology is useless because the excuse is bull. If this “editor” lets stuff like this slip through her finger then she should not have that job.
December 19, 2011 10:36 pm
its amazing how everybody is quick to say its disgusting and cry racism. If it was a black person saying it you all be cool with it. nowonder white people are now confused. Black rappers refer to each other with the N word, most of u here have music that contain the N word and sing along and watch movies with the N word and applaud that. I am over this. White people and other races will stop using this word when black people start respecting themselves and stop using this word ever. just saying.
December 19, 2011 10:47 pm
Rihanna just went IN on this woman and that whole magazine! So when Britney Spears strips and Madonna kisses chicks onstage, what are THEY?!
December 19, 2011 10:48 pm
That was horrible article and title how would they not know that would be offensive unless you find it okay to be racist. If I use a racist term or look at a group of people a certain way then yes I might think that it is okay to say those same things about that group when and wherever. So the fact that they think there is nothing behind it and it was an innocent joke lets me know that they probably are racist in some form and probably don’t even know. Because nothing about that is okay in any way, their apology in my eyes is not sincere or accepted.
http://www.nickisbeautybar.com
December 19, 2011 10:50 pm
I can’t really say I’ am surprised because I was never under the impression that Europe was this post racial utopia. Personally, I think heads should roll and red slips needed to be handed out especially over that tired excuse used over and over again concerning the N-word. NOT every black person use or condone the use of the N-word. Secondly why is this word always up for debate? I hear others and see other people call themselves and each other hideous words that other people don’t want to repeat so why is the N-word magical that needs to be repeating, rappers aren’t the voice of every black person mindset
December 19, 2011 11:08 pm
…… no words
December 19, 2011 11:12 pm
appalled and speechless…I was hesitant to open the story because I didn’t want to believe this could happen. like someone said Rihanna’s pple need to come out with full force. Whether she likes it or not this issue is larger than her; unfortunately she’s repping us all.
December 19, 2011 11:18 pm
It doesn’t surprise me. People really thought racism was going to die down when Obama became president of this country, it only has gotten worse. I don’t pay ignorant comments like this any mind. Their the ones with small minds and are only limiting themselves to a certain group of people. I embrace all races and feel more free in this world, and am comfortable being around all walks of life. If feel sorry for people with like this and who live in ignorance, smh.
December 20, 2011 12:23 am
I honestly won’t be satisfied with this matter until the writer and editor-in chief are fired or the whole magazine is shut down. The weak as water apology is definitely not enough, in my opinion, to deal with the matter. They severed a line that can only be fixed with severe repercussions. I need to know that: a.) this is as big a concern for them as it is for me and b.) such fear has been emitted through the whole company that all in it will know that there is no excuse for this to EVER happen again. I would definitely love to hear Rihanna’s opinion on this as well smh
December 20, 2011 12:31 am
Also, how could you feel that a term that causes so much pain for an entire race of people could in anyway be turned into a joke? There is a huge difference in restriction someone’s freedom of speech and people being sensitive to being a hurtful, uncourteous, degrading, disrespectful publication. No one wants to be called degrading terminology, no matter how open and insensitive they are. Don’t buy into the ignorance because you agree with freedom of speech and not being sensitive. Common courtesy and mutual respect don’t take away from that.
SN: As a community we need to quit airing our issues out for the world to see in documentaries, reality shows, etc. We need to deal with our own issues in house and become a stronger unit together. Remind everyone and ourselves why we deserve as much respect and reverence as any other race.
December 20, 2011 12:40 am
You allow people in and let them make themselves at home and feel comfortable and stuff like this happens where it was “supposed to be a joke” that went wrong. People should fear saying things like that and being to comfortable with us. We turned that deplorable word into any ole everyday word and fooled ourselves into thinking using it amongst ourselves and changing the spelling, putting our own meaning and spins on it would devalue it and make it less painful to hear. It doesn’t. Black people, wake up! We have to make a conscious effort to stop using it and supporting people (including our own people) who use it. Ladies, we are not bitches! We are not female dogs! Referring to ourselves and each other like that doesn’t take the pain from the word or devalue it! Be mindful of how you present yourself while you ask for respect! Your clothing, actions, speech should all show that you want and demand respect. We must demand respect from ourselves and each other as a race, show we are united in the front, and then we can truly demand respect from everyone else! But it starts with home…
Sorry ladies for my rants. Something I’ve been needing to get off my chest for a long time.
December 20, 2011 12:59 am
I am disgusted, utterly disgusted! I can’t believe that such blatant racism was posted in this magazine! And if that editor thought that half A** apology was gonna cut it, he is very sadly mistaken.
December 20, 2011 1:02 am
I read part of this post, then stopped DEAD in my tracks. This is a poor attempt to gain publicity or sell magazine at the expense of my lil SUPERSTAR FASHION GODDESS RIHANNA. Baby doll don’t SWEAT the SMALL ISH, This comes with the territory of GREATNESS MAMA. Focus on RihannaNavy sister girl.
December 20, 2011 4:34 am
I’m a black woman living in Holland (and this magazine ain’t even all that over here) and I must say that (white) Ducth people are one of the most ignorant people I’ve ever met. They have the most low level of insight in other cultures but judge before even making an attempt to get some info or say things that only they would consider as a joke… like the title of this magazine. And like Jasmine said The Dutch did start the slavery and their pretty nonchalant about it all.
December 20, 2011 8:11 am
@Anne racism is prevalent all over the world. If it wasn’t “n*ggab”itch” would not be in their vocabulary. Either you are naive and live in a bubble to think that racism is worst in the USA and not where you live or other countries similar or you are a racist yourself. Being more free to express themselves has nothing to do with anything. The point is that they published a racist article and pretended like they didn’t know it was racist when they were called out on it. No apology would have been issued if no one would have said anything. Wake up.
December 20, 2011 8:13 am
@anne I don’t hide behind “anonymous”. Didn’t know my name didn’t post.
December 20, 2011 9:02 am
*Sigh* Racism still is alive and well and I wish people would STOP saying that if your UNDER 25 you don’t understand stuff like this and blah blah. Age has NOTHING to do with maturity as you can see from the above article…
December 20, 2011 9:07 am
Most Dutch are well aware that this language would be inappropriate. Amsterdam (where this magazine is published) is a leading international center for the advertising industry and I believe the publication of this article was a well calculated risk. No one outside of the Netherlands reads the magazine anyway and now we all know the magazine exists. This is apart from the Dutch street credibility they’ve now garnered among those Dutch leaning to the right.
Let’s be clear: the Dutch have no problem with Black people as long as Black people don’t have a problem with their default places in Dutch society–Black women as hyper-sexualized objects of desire and Black men as the little slave of Santa (Zwarte Piet). And yeah…if you don’t like it you can just get out!
December 20, 2011 9:55 am
This is Holland for you, a lot of people out there think this country is so free and liberal but its not its the most racist Western country and happens all the time. I mean these people even celebrate some white guy called Sinta Klaus (Santa Claus) and his slave helper Zwarte Piet (Black Piet). I hope people see what this country stands for….. IGNORANT PEOPLE but then again what do you expect when they were the one’s who invented Apartheid and their favorite politician is a Far-Right-wing idiot called Geert Wilders
December 20, 2011 10:31 am
Excuse my language, but BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1. How in the world do you not see what’s going into your own magazine, especially a fashion magazine. Everything in a fashion magazine is carefully picked and scrutinized to make sure it is just right, before it is printed. How in the world can you see everything but this one article. True BS!!!!!
December 20, 2011 10:48 am
the last sentence says : And now let’s hope she doesn’t beat anyone up in kintergarden. (it’s an article about clothing your kids like stars)
This is a shame, a real shame for what I, in a neighbour country, and so many others with me stand for. The most popular politician in the Netherlands is an extreme-right man, he made a anti-islam film and almost openly hates everyone who’s not Dutch. It’s a crazy world, but we should all stand up, every color, every country, to fight against this and against this kind of persons with power over people. This is so wrong.
December 20, 2011 11:09 am
It’s so funny how we live in a world where folks think I’m sorry makes everything go away. NO it doesn’t. Sorry does change the scope of a situation 1. if it is genuine 2. also depending on the severity of the circumstance. This article was done with malice either for the sake of publicity, personal views etc. but whatever the basis it was outright disrespectful. Unfortunately this is the world we live in we just have to stand up for what we believe in and not be swayed by other people views of what we are. I’m sure Rihanna knows her worth and realizes that her accomplishments and existence makes her much more than this.
December 20, 2011 11:58 am
i will say this, there’s no excuse for this magazine but we use the B and N words to describe ourselves and each other. how can we check another race for disrespecting us when we can’t even stop doing it to ourselves?
December 20, 2011 12:26 pm
so how many people appalled by the article are jamming to N*gg*s in Paris…
December 20, 2011 1:31 pm
I am from the Netherlands and I am very disgusted by the disrespectful, disgusting and ignorant article! The article did not make any sense at all! I gues they taught they were funny by saying these hurtful things. They were very disrespectful towards Rihanna and black people. Saying she has streetcred and a ghettoass really? The Dutch winter is not the Jamaican winter? Hello! Riri is from Barbados! What an ignorant and stupid writer! If you write an article atleast write about facts! Ugh SMH!
December 20, 2011 3:53 pm
Just sad and repressive…SMH..I don’t know what else to say.
December 20, 2011 3:55 pm
Eva hoeke just quit her job as editor in chief!
December 20, 2011 4:57 pm
They called rhianna a “n*ggab*tch”… Like seriously ?? That is extremely shocking to me. Idc If there country is different, and they can curse without “bleeps” on the Teley., but to call it a “bad joke”…Kill yourself.
December 20, 2011 5:54 pm
There is no way they didn’t know what they were doing, and I don’t think they were deliberately trying to offend a single individual; I think they were trying to offend as many people as possible. It is so obvious that this is a desperate publicity stunt. With the decline of print media, it seems they are grasping at straws in a sick attempt to hold on to some notoriety. Simply, this is shameful nonsense.
December 20, 2011 6:53 pm
4 me as a young black male living in this racist crackers country…dont blame them cus its all started when every crackers can call a black people a nigga..after all those their former colonies some of them living now in the netherlands they always call them the N word on national TV,,those brothas act still like a slaves,,if u complain bout it they saying that this is holland shit
December 20, 2011 6:59 pm
I say forget all this moaning and groaning…they will continue to do it until we hit them where it hurts…in their pocketbooks!! In turn we can take away their platform and relevance! And then maybe they will get! People tend to pay attention when you sign their checks…Don’t support them or give them more press than they need because even bad press is good press…lets just help them disappear!
December 20, 2011 11:13 pm
I was not offended. Such a fine line with todays urban r&B/hip-hop music mess. You mean it is ok for you to degrade yourself but damnit be to hell If I emulate what you say? MMM interesting. I’d only wish people would be honest when things of this nature are printed.
December 21, 2011 2:37 am
@gagirl87 just wanted to clarify my comment that “those under 25 are ill equipped to deal with race and don’t care” FTR i’m not going in on your generation. I’m referring to the fact that this year alone we’ve seen too many weird sideways racially charged incidents from young adults: Nikki Minaj’s fried chicken necklace, Kreayshawn, and her crew feeling like not only is it okay to drop the n-bomb as they deem appropriate, but that they know this because the black people they run with have signed off on it? To me it’s not hating to state the fact that the complex issue of race has gotten more murky post hip hop, post obama, etc. and no where is that more plainly evident than among young adults. In short if your shoes are untied, and I point this out to you and you assure me that not only are your shoes tied but you know how to tie them just fine. i’m not creating generational disparity, i’m trying to keep you from tripping and falling on your face.
December 21, 2011 3:11 am
Doesn’t surprise me at all. Racism is very much alive. Everywhere. Until the younger generations realize this and make a genuine attempt to change it not just sugarcoat it (as we are currently doing) all these race issues will remain the same.
December 21, 2011 3:20 am
Just one more comment :Aids. War. Abortion. Cloning. Radiation. Religion. Depression. Suicide. Genocide etc. and Lord knows what else….and we are still concerned about race?? We as HUMANS are all pathetic for focusing on something so diminutive as skin color and hair texture.
December 21, 2011 5:10 am
“They also refer to Rihanna as “Jamaican,” because in their world, Jamaica and Barbados are the same place, as they are Caribbean islands where black people with funny accents live.”
How racist is this? I’m white, I live in Holland. I’m Dutch.
I don’t think PEOPLE from Barbados have FUNNY accents, I like them alot, and the people too. It’s very offensive.
December 21, 2011 5:16 am
“posted by Deborah
DECEMBER 19, 2011 6:44 PM
Those non English speaking European countries are extremely racist and they don’t hide it either.”
Really?? I guess you never went too Holland then. I’m from Holland. I’m very proud to live in a multiracial country.
Surinamese, Moroccans, British people, Turks, Antilleans, Jamaicans, Congolese and Moluccans people live in Holland. Please get your facts right and start visiting an european country before you start placing those silly comments.
December 21, 2011 6:01 am
Hi, I’m Dutch. Some comments here are very offensive to Dutch/Europeans. It’s very weird to see a lot of people have opinion about a country they don’t know and about an article they can not read at all. I would never write something like that magazine did. But i understand why the magazine did it like that. Let me explain.
I’m was born in the 80′s, so in de 90′s i was a teenager. In the 90′s a lot of popular music was made by black people. So what i’ve learned is: to be black = cool! In the same popular music artist use words like ghetto, nigger, bitch and ass a lot. So, what i’ve learned is: to use words like that = cool! So if you want to describe Rihanna as cool as possible, you have to use words like ghetto, nigger, bitch and ass in the most creative combination you can imagine. That’s what the magazine did. I wouldn’t do it like that, because i have no need to be cool, but a silly fashion magazine always wants to be cool.
Do you think telling how you like Rihanna is racist? Or do you think, trying to be cool is racist? Check the dictionary for the definition of “racist”. Do you really think the editors believe that a certain human race is superior to an other?! Please read the article. It’s a crappy written article, but it’s all positive about Rihanna. To any Dutch reader it is clear they did not want to offend any-one.
I think you can not blame the magazine for being racist. They don’t know anything about racism. They don’t know anything about the whole racism debate in the US. They are not native English speakers. To them the N-word has an other meaning than to native speakers. They learned to use those words because they were listening rap music. They might know words like that also have a negative meaning, but they don’t know HOW negative. They are just wanna-be-as-cool-as-all-the-rappers to use words, without knowing what they mean. I think it’s very stupid to use words you don’t know that well. That makes the magazine stupid, but not racist.
People who blame the Dutch for being racist now, just do the same as the magazine: write about something you don’t know anything about. And people who say things like “non English speaking European countries are extremely racist” make the same mistake racist do: offend a whole group. First try to understand if they really are racist or not. To understand a Dutch magazine, i think you first have learn about Dutch culture and language and the influence of English spoken music on our vocabulary.
Words have the meaning we give them. Please, keep in mind there is a big ocean between us and we speak different languages. In Dutch we have the word “neger”, witch is a acceptable way to describe some-one with a dark skin (it’s derived from Portugese “negro”, witch means “black”). In the US the N-word has a very negative meaning. But rappers and singers (including Rihanna) gave the word also a positive meaning and that’s how the magazine used it.
And let me give a final advise to all the “this is so racist” shouters: start educating black rappers not to use the N-word in a positive way or accept the fact that the meaning of words can change and that the N-word is not always negative/offensive/racist. If you still think the magazine was trying to offend some-one, you’re are stupid. You can not demand the whole world to have the same cultural background and speak the same language.
Maybe we also have a different definition for racist. In the Netherlands being a racist is a very bad thing. So saying some-one is a racist is one of the most offensive things to say. If in the US it’s very normal/positive to be a racist, please tell me. Than i don’t have to feel that offended.
December 21, 2011 9:11 am
@Anonymous: RE: How racist is this? I’m white, I live in Holland. I’m Dutch.
I don’t think PEOPLE from Barbados have FUNNY accents, I like them alot, and the people too. It’s very offensive.
I was referring to the people who wrote the article, who assumed JAMAICA and BARBADOS are the same place. Not you. Not all Dutch people. I am a person whose ancestors came from both those places. They are two completely different islands, with different accents. That’s even offensive to me. But no let’s not make this about the West Indian people who have to deal with ignorant people always making this stupid mistake, let’s make this about about you.
Just like how you insinuated that it’s clear (to dutch readers) calling Rihanna a RACIALLY CHARGED WORD was not racist, I think what I said is also pretty clear, which any person who can read English can understand.
Bottom line. They knew the word was inapropriate, they used it to describe a person of color (Did they use the word to describe Doutzen Kroes? no.) The end.
December 21, 2011 2:59 pm
I know that this term is a throw back to the racist use of the term (based upon the rest of the article, with its heavily racialized descriptors – ghetto booty), but I kind of see this term ‘nigga bitch’ as being the natural progression of what will be accepted/normalized/’reclaimed’ next.
That and the c-nt. but I think the ‘c’ word will become popularized first.
December 21, 2011 7:42 pm
I am a black woman living in the Netherlands that grew up speaking Dutch, and let me tell you; the title is not even the worst part. The entire section below gives a clear depiction of the fact that they weren’t kidding. They basicly made Rihanna out to be a whore, because she embraces the style of a nigger from the ghetto… with her ghetto-ass!
December 22, 2011 7:44 am
@Jihan they indeed knew the word IS very inappropriate. It disturbs me that people call black people by their skincolor and not their names. And not only black people.This happens everywhere. “A moroccan boy killed a white male today in brutal ways”.
I did not say the word n*gga isn’t racist. I’m white and I won’t ever place that word in my mouth because I know what the history of the word is. I wouldn’t dare. I only see people for who they are, not their skincolor and that is what makes me angry that people are so unaware of the word and how sensitive people are about this topic.
Eva Hoeke went too far with her article. Being really ignorant, stupid and most of all, she embarrassed us Dutch people.
Not all white people are racist, I invite you to come to The Netherlands. Experience the multiracial country and not only from what you read from a silly magazine editor. It is very clear what you said in the article.
“Just like how you insinuated that it’s clear (to dutch readers) calling Rihanna a RACIALLY CHARGED WORD was not racist, I think what I said is also pretty clear, which any person who can read English can understand.”
But I did not insinuated that it isn’t wrong that Eva Hoeke said things about Rihanna like that. Not at all. Even if it wasn’t Rihanna. I’m disgusted by her words, and I know by seeing all these comments from people from The Netherlands, they are ALL disgusted by the words of Eva Hoeke. And I can read English. Don’t start that discussion because we are from The Netherlands.
Conclusion, it is ONLY about Eva Hoeke. Not about her being Dutch, not about our country, not about white people. No. This is about Eva Hoeke and her ignorant self.
December 22, 2011 9:03 pm
first of all, where do you live that you hear the word niggabitch on “tv and radio all the time”?? im certain not in america. so sad that several so called professional individuals read and approved of this article and allowed it to go to publication with such blatantly racists statements about Rihanna much less ANYONE.
December 23, 2011 4:43 am
@Anonymous, it is very brave of you to voice your particular opinion in this forum. While I respect your perspective, I am a white Australian (and referring to myself as “white” Australian is the appropriate term because of my extremely mixed Caucasian heritage as many white Australians have, and because the true owners of the Australian land are Indigenous Australians) and I have never been offended by any person of colour or any other ethnicity aside from Caucasian accusing Caucasians of being generally racist. While this isn’t true, I understand that the vocal minority of racist Caucasians do damage that is almost impossible to heal (though I hope to be an agent of change in my career), and from my perspective, articles such as this appearing in mainstream media can only bring harm, and should not be viewed as harmless. There may be a young woman or teenage girl who looks up to Rihanna as a confident, strong and independent woman who reads this magazine and starts to believe that this is how she will also be seen by strangers. Presumably, it hurt Rihanna deeply to hear of this trash being said about her, which is of course bad enough in itself, but it could be doing untold damage to her young fans.
Many people of various ethnic heritage do not share my view, but I feel very strongly about it. Even this year in school, I wrote a fictional story for my English class that involved an interracial friendship as a means of reflecting on identity, and my teacher suggested I include the “N word” to bring authenticity to the story. I told her I wouldn’t use it because it is not my word to use, whether she and I both know that neither of us would say it in real life or not. I am a big fan of rap music (and music of all genres including classical) and to me, the “Jay Z said it” excuse is invalid – if Jay Z jumped off a cliff, much as I love his music, I would not follow.
Being Australian, and only 18, I have extremely limited knowledge of the long history and true relationship between African Americans and White Americans and I would not jump to conclusions because I am sure it is different in different parts of the United States, but even I can know that this word is entirely inappropriate, especially for any Caucasian person to use.
December 28, 2011 3:36 pm
I’m not surprised at all. But, I feel that something need to change in the African American community.
The idea that saying the N word in common language in a sort of “stick and stones, may break my bones” way hasn’t worked. It’s only created confusion between blacks and whites. The words we uses are set by agreements . In the case of N word, some black people have agreed to use it and do; so white people have become aware of this agreement and so what to use it too. Of course they can’t. The problem is they don’t understand that the issue of slavery prohibits their use of the word nor do they understand the empowerment ideology behind the used of the N word. Hence when they do use it, they misapply it.
It is time that the all parts of black community accept that N word can never be spun into a positive word. The Black community should work towards eliminating it’s use in all aspects of pop culture. It’s a harmful word that shouldn’t be used by anyone. I’m Black African and British, it is very rare you hear to N word used by black person in the UK. No respectful, intelligent white person in Britain would use it.