This is NOT an Error
Once upon a time, yet another international magazine decided to print racist / white supremacist words and imagery regarding a Black artist and then issue an “oops, did we do that?” apology, as if that would be enough to make protestors go away. Well, both @thefashionbomb and @theybf wrote blogs here and here (with a followup here) to let everyone know about it. There was also an Afro-European Blog that sent me their link later on but I appreciate it! Then @luvvieig wrote one of her stern letters, which I love, basically asking what Queen Latifah asked a long time ago—Who You Callin’ a [N*ggab*tch]?!! .
Oh yeah, the editor first said we were all being too sensitive, then later apologized on Facebook like this:
Dear readers, first of all: thanks for all your responses. We of course huge and we are here bales especially rot startled. But I am glad that we here on this page the dialogue-that does not everyone. Thanks for this. And I can briefly about his: this should never be allowed to happen. Point out. Although the author had no harm in the sense-the head of the article was meant as a joke-but it was a bad joke, to say the least. And that is me, the editor-in-Chief, then slipped through the fingers. Stupid, painful and sucks for all concerned. The author is now addressed on, and from now I can only ensure that this kind of wording no longer in the journal. And I also hope that you guys want me to believe that there is absolutely no racist motif from the word choice. It was stupid, it was naive to think that this was an acceptable form of street language-on tv and radio the flies you sometimes to the ears, then your idea of what is normal shifts apparently-but it was also especially misguided: there was no further behind sting. We make our magazine with love, energy and enthusiasm, and it may sometimes happen that somebody from the curve shoots. And then you can do only one thing: your apologies. And hope that the other who want to accept. To this.
From the bottom of my heart I say once again: it’s never been our intention to hurt anyone. And I believe that.
Sincerely, Eva Hoeke
Dr. Goddess, who felt the need to rant on several items, included her criticism of Jackie, a Dutch Magazine and Editor in Chief, Eva Hoeke’s, poor apology, by contacting her directly on Twitter @EvaJackie (it pays to do research) and passing the address on to @Rihanna herself (we know because only Dr. Goddess provided the Twitter address) and she went OFF:
Rihanna to Eva Hoeke
Rihanna to Eva Hoeke 2
Rihanna’s tweets were so long, I had to reach into a Twitlonger file to get her full tweet but then I repeated the last part (which is also my favorite). Afterwards, it was picked up by @karennattiah and sent back to @thefashionbomb and into the Twitter lap of @amydbarnett of Ebony Magazine.
Punctuating this episode (and purposefully included because, otherwise, it would be skipped over) is the Afro-Dutch, who are very upset over Dutch racism, the constant celebration of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete, Santa’s slave helper, about whom Dr. Jelani Cobb wrote this article) and, certainly, the Rihanna piece.
Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)
Gijrath Media Groep B.V.
Bezoekadres:
De Cuserstraat 93
1081 CN Amsterdam
Postadres:
Postbus 267
1000 AG Amsterdam
Tel: +31(0)20-3011700
Fax: +31(0)20-3011701
The Dutch are well aware that this language would be inappropriate. This publication of this article was a well calculated risk. No one outside of the Netherlands reads that magazine anyway and now we all know the magazine exists. This is apart from the Dutch street credibility they’ve now garnered.
Let’s be clear: the Dutch have no problem with Black people as long as Black people don’t have a problem with their places in Dutch society–Black women as hyper-sexualized objects of desire and Black men as the slave of Santa (Zwarte Piet).
So as long as Black people stay in their place in Dutch society, the Dutch have no problem with Black people? Is that what you’re saying, “Heroes Are Rare?”
Ehm… Rihanna used the N* word herself on Twitter just two days ago:
https://twitter.com/#!/rihanna/status/148226579649150976
So when she says it, it is OK? And when someone else says it, it is not? Confused…
All groups, ALL cultural groups use words that are meant to demean them from the outside, internally. Black people have a right to determine their relationship to these words and, yes, there are different rules for in-groups and out-groups. I went to high school with Polish students who would jokingly call each other “dumb Pollocks” on a regular basis. I knew that I could never do that and I had no desire. Lesbians have adopted the word “dyke” to try and take the bite (perhaps violence out of it). In MY ideal world, none of this works; but I am 100% clear that it’s not for any outside group to determine, so, no, it is not okay. Further, NO ONE says “Niggabitch” with ANY term of endearment or social reconstruction. This is #RationaleFAIL
Well, I simply don’t agree with that. Rihanna should never use the word herself and then expect others not to call her like that. Maybe it works like that in the U.S., but that does not make it O.K. in the rest of the world!
OK, I just read on Wikipedia: “In practice, its use and meaning are heavily dependent on context. Presently, the word nigga is used more liberally among younger members of all races and ethnicities in the United States, although its use by persons not of African descent is still widely viewed as unacceptable and hostile, even when used without intentional prejudice”
I did not know this. I think people outside the U.S. just listen to U.S. music too much, and then think it is cool to just use the same words, not realizing that only black people can use it like that.
P.S.
I must say, I am shocked at the language Rihanna uses in her videos. I don’t think she’s a good example for young people, and really don’t understand why a fashion magazine bothered to write an article about her, because she is basically dancing almost naked. But that, of course, is just personal taste, and has nothing to do with the subject of racism we are talking about now.
Ah Sinterklaas. Ofcourse. Have been trying to explain it to my foreign firends for years. They won’t understand: cultural differences. What i don’t understand in the united states is that in some states, you can get legally fired from your job if homosexual, people who have tanned skin may be arrested upon the suspicion of being illegal, just because they have tanned skin. So before you go all the dutch are so racist on us, keep that in mind. Legal gay marriage in the netherlands: since 2001.
Groetjes, a dutcie.
So, because the Dutch honor gay marriage, Black people should not be upset about Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet? Let’s try this.. what do the Afro-Dutch have to say about this tradition? Let’s forget us foreigners here with our cultural differences and our lack of minstrel characters in blackface, rooted in the institution of slavery (I’m being sarcastic here…). Do the Afro-Dutch like the continued tradition? Why did four Black men just get arrested protesting it? Do you listen to Black folks in Holland or what? Just curious…
I grew up with this tradition and loved it as a child. In NL it is much bigger than Christmas. By the way, the Zwarte Pieten are the cool guys who throw around candy, and Sinterklaas is the stern old man who takes you back in a bag to Spain (!) if you don’t behave well. So if anyone is coming bad out of this.. it must be white people! A few years ago some people tried to have Pieten of all kinds of colours, but the children just did not like them as much. Probably just because they are used to them being black.
The whole blackface thing is a part of the U.S. history of which most Dutch people have never heard of, you should not connect it with that. And yes, we listen to music created by ‘black folks’, have black friends, etc. Please visit the Netherlands at December 5th and you will see what a lovely festivity Sinterklaas really is.
There is a parallel here with this case:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/03/ap_sheehan_033010/
An American general insulting Dutch gays. With the only difference that the gays accepted the apologies of the general, and dropped charges.
P.S. Evidently one can’t even wear a shirt which is Anti-Zwarte Piet without being arrested see this video: http://bit.ly/rDWlvr
Thank you so much for including the link. I meant to include it. I will have to edit my post (after a long nap).
THAT YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT BLACK PETE AS A SLAVE IS SARCASTIC. Its function is to show how ridiculous the whole tradition of Sinterklaas (and not Santa) is.
The fact that ONE not so well-read magazine is so naive to think it is funny to use such racist slur, does NOT mean all Dutch people are behind it. Not at all.
It doesn’t matter if it’s sarcastic, it’s really inappropriate for 2011. Or 2001. Or 1991. Or…
I am aware not all of the Dutch are behind it; but I wish those of you who aren’t would be a little bit louder. Do you think you can do that? If so, how so?
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” Matthew 7:3
The words “niggas” and “bitch” are both used by Rihanna in her own lyrics. So, excuse us when we think that “nigga bitch” are the right words to describe a not properly dressed black female.
I don’t think Biblical scripture has much place here.
The fact that you already equate “nigga bitch” with the words “black female” is inherently problematic racially and bigoted. I highly doubt Rihanna, if she uses those lyrics, means those words as such. I don’t think you can find ANY black person in the world who would think this is okay. More over, you are saying this is Rihanna’s fault? Please. Blaming the victim.
What is the term for not properly dressed white female? Anything? Anything? Would you have called any of your popular white celebrities “bitch” to begin with?
Hi Karen,
here are two songs where Rihanna uses the words “nigga” and “bitch”:
“Pull the trigger, pull the trigger, boom And end a nigga, end a niggas life so soon” from: “Man Down” – Rihanna
“Bitch I’m special” – Rihanna
So, apparently “nigga” and “bitch” are normal words in her vocabulary. In Europe we continuously hear songs from black artists using these words. Since the “hip hop culture” is very popular (also in The Netherlands), these words become more common and lose their real meaning.
This is what I blame Rihanna (and other black artists) for and that’s why I think her reaction is highly hypocrite. So, yes it is her own fault. Stop playing the victim!
So if you are so okay with the words, and you say yourself that there is a “real” meaning, (read: a word with roots in a racist and oppressive past) does this mean that people in the Netherlands go around using it because “the hip hop culture” uses it?” Is it so common that you refer to your white friends as n*ggabitch? I doubt it. If I knew slang terms to refer to other races or cultures in other languages, I would never use them in a widely distributed magazine.
First of all, “hip hop culture” does not represent all black culture. Many, many people have an issue with the word altogether and do not use it in any way to refer to one another. I personally don’t agree with the word at all.
But I don’t thnk that Europeans are so ignorant as to not understand the negativity of that word. I don’t buy the fake helplessness of “Well, how were we to know that the word is bad?” Would you call someone a n*ggabitch in Dutch? Why do it in English?
What I don’t understand is the defensiveness coming from the Dutch on these issues of race with this, and with the Zwarte Piet issue. I’m aware of the Netherlands’ rather spotty history with slavery and colonization as well as current problems with Islamophobia and anti-immigration. The US is far from perfect, but don’t say there’s no problems in the Netherlands with race.
“The whole blackface thing is a part of the U.S. history of which most Dutch people have never heard of, you should not connect it with that.”
Goddess, I want to point out that Zwarte Piet IS in fact a form of Dutch blackface. Pete is generally depicted as Sint Nick’s slighly stupid side-kick, who is scary because he is the black guy threatening to beat up insubordinate white children. One of the Netherlands’ favourite commedians Wieteke van Dort was engaged in a form of “colonial drag” as the persona “Tante Lien” not unlike American blackface. (The Dutch had colonies in Indochina). The Dutch most definitely have a documented history of racial humour. Contemporary examples of this are Ushi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v0esqOpW_o
Oeboema:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM-qz2P3xmw
As you can see, the tradition of racial drag is alive and kicking in the Netherlands.
I will also stress the Dutch equivalent term for nigger, “nikker”, is socially unacceptable in the Netherlands. A Dutch woman, white or black, calling a black woman “een nikker hoer met een Bijlmer reet” in a Dutch magazine would be frowned upon. Jackie relied on American slang terms to get away with something that would be obviously unacceptable had they printed those exact same words in in Dutch.
That said, I don’t like Rihanna, her voice, her music, or her overt capitulation to American racist sexist stereotypes of black women as sexually insatiable. I have read a lot of bell hooks’ essays and books, and I understand this to be a persistent stereotype not just within African-American communities but within the larger American mainstream culture itself. As far as I know, Rihanna does nothing to help dispel these stereotypes but instead perpetuates them and performs them to the t. I think that white women have every in the world right to criticize black female artists like Rihanna, and American hip hop culture at large *in that specific regard* by pointing out that Rihanna capitulates to American racist sexist stereotypes for the sake of her career.
However, what Jackie did is not criticism, it is the cynical appropriation of foreign slang terms the Jackie editor would have never gotten away had she bothered to print those same words in her own language.
I agree with Karen Nattiah that this incident says something about a culture that tolerates this sort of thing. IMO, it says a LOT about the institutionalization of bigotry and xenophobia by the current Dutch administration which has chosen to tolerate an extreme rightwing party with an anti-immigration agenda as a coalition partner. If you think Sint Nick with Zwarte Piet is bad, try Geert Wilders with his “excuus-Latino”. At least Sint Nick is not in government.
[...] First of all, this is an excellent case study in the field of media, globalization, and racial representation. While many people are angry, (and rightly so, I might add), plenty of comments I have seen from both Dutch users and African American users alike blame Rihanna and hip-hop music in general for this happening. They say (in a nutshell), “Well, black people use the n-word and the word “bitch” in hip hop music! So what do they expect when other people start to use it? From @DrGodess ‘s site: [...]