Rihanna Called N-Word In Dutch Fashion Magazine 'Jackie'
Rihanna is well known for her fierce fashion sense, and regularly receives praise for her chic wardrobe choices. But one fashion magazine is apologizing after making a statement about the good girl gone bad that was totally out of style.
In the latest issue of Jackie, a Dutch fashion magazine, one feature is dedicated to showing readers how to imitate the singer's style, New York Magazine reports. But while imitation might be the highest form of flattery, the content was downright insulting, using a derogatory term to describe the artist:
She has street cred, she has a ghetto ass and she has a golden throat. Rihanna, the good girl gone bad, is the ultimate n***abitch and she displays that gladly--for her that means what's on can come off. If that means she'll be on stage half naked, then so be it. But Dutch winters aren't like Jamaican [ed. note: Rihanna is actually Barbadian, not Jamaican] ones, so pick a clothing style in which your daughter can resist minus ten [temperatures]. No to the big sunglasses and the pornheels, and yes to the tiger print, pink 'shizzle,' and everything that glitters. Now let's hope she won't beat anybody up at daycare.
After the offensive comment went viral, the magazine's editor Eva Hoeke issued a statement on their Facebook page, apologizing for the failed attempt at a joke but insisting they meant no harm:
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.
Although translations of the replies to Hoeke's post imply that fans were satisfied with the magazine's apology, the songstress is not accepting it. She took to Twitter to respond to the incident and to the editor:
@evajackie I hope u can read english, because your magazine is a poor representation of the evolution of human rights! I find you disrespectful, and rather desperate!! You ran out of legit, civilized information to print! There are 1000's of Dutch girls who would love to be recognized for their contributions to your country, you could have given them an article. Instead, u paid to print one degrading an entire race! That's your contribution to this world! To encourage segregation, to mislead the future leaders to act in the past! You put two words together, with the intent of abasement, that made no sense..."N***A BITCH"?!....Well with all respect, on behalf of my race, here are my two words for you...F**K YOU!!!
Rihanna regularly uses the site to speak her mind and tell fans about other offensive experiences. On Dec. 18, she tweeted about falling victim to further racial abuse while at a hotel in Portugal, MTV UK reports. The Bajan beauty fumed on the social networking site about her interaction with a man at the hotel.
"I just met the most racist c*** EVER!!! This man said the craziest s**t abt black women called us dogs, sl*ts, we don't look like s**t, we don't belong in the same hotels," she said. "Needless to say, the #N***A in me came out! Bajan accent and all! Lol! Turns out the hotel manager's black. Oh and he had the NERVE to diss black people in his Tighty whitey's!!!! SMH...and tbh a lil black wouldn't hurt him."
UPDATE: 4:35 p.m. According to Parlour magazine, Eva Hoeke, the editor-in-chief of Jackie Magazine has resigned from the publication as a result of the backlash and reaction to the offensive feature on Rihanna's style.
The company issued a press release explaining the reason for the decision, and Hoeke apologized further for mishandling the situation:
I realize that my first reaction through Twitter, in which I indicated that it was a joke, has been an incomplete description of what me, and also the author of the article, meant. The term 'niggabitch' came from America and we solely used it to describe a style of dress. Because of the enormous pressure through social media I was tempted to promise amendment regarding the language in future issues of Jackie. Apart from that I also offered an rectification. I have now come to the conclusion that rectification is not the right solution. I regret that I have taken a stand too quickly regarding an article in Jackie--which moreover had no racial motive at its basis. Through the course of events, me and the publisher have concluded that because my credibility is now affected, it is better for all parties if I quit my function as editor-in-chief effective immediately. After putting my heart and soul into Jackie for eight years, I realize that these errors--although not intended maliciously--are enough reason for leaving.
Hoeke went on to say that the magazine will invite Rihanna to share her feelings about the incident in an article for the magazine's next issue. To read the full press release, click here.
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First Posted: 12/20/11 09:30 AM ET Updated: 12/20/11 04:50 PM ET