Magazine Editor Resigns Following Use Of Racial Slur Against Rihanna

December 21, 2011 by Hollywoodite

Earlier this week, a scan of a Dutch magazine article went viral because of its use of the N-word in its lede.

Yes, really.

In its title, and at the beginning of a fashion piece about Rihanna, the word was used twice (and again, at least thrice, in the subsequent retraction/ apology from editor-in-chief, Eva Hoeke).

JACKIE Magazine called Rihanna the “Ultimate N**gab**ch [With] Ghetto A$$,” in a post translated as: “She has street cred, she has a ghetto a$$ and she has a golden throat. Rihanna, the good girl gone bad, is the ultimate n**gab**ch and 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. But Dutch winters aren’t like Jamaican ones, so pick a clothing style in which your daughter can resist minus ten. 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.”

The racism and lazily calling Rihanna “Jamaican” when she’s not, the sexism, and the connotations that all women of colour are base, violent sex objects. Oh dear.

The scan and translation showed the slurs were not obtuse or taken out of context. Even so, Hoeke responded on Facebook/ Twitter it was a joke that got out of hand.

Dear readers, First: thanks for all your responses. We are of course very fed up over this and especially very shocked. However I’m glad that we’re engaging in a dialogue on this page, not everybody does that. Thanks for this. Other than that 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.

Regards, Eva Hoeke – via Facebook.

That reads like Hoeke deigned to apologise. However, the open letter eventually came off as contrite.

However, it didn’t satiate Rihanna who went on a Twitter rant.

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**GA B**CH”?!….Well with all respect, on behalf of my race, here are my two words for you…F**K YOU!!! – via Rihanna’s Twitter.

Following the furore over the racist terms, and the uneven apology, Hoeke resigned as confirmed in this press release.

Eva Hoeke Quits as Editor-in-Chief of Jackie

Following a recent publication in Jackie magazine, issue 49, a worldwide outcry arose over an article on page 45 entitled “De N**gab**ch”, which refers to Rihanna and her style of dress. This word is used in America as slang.

Throughout the various social media there has been an emotional response to this choice of words, as published in Jackie. As a first reaction to this editor-in-chief Eva Hoeke said via Twitter that the choice of words was meant as a joke and offered an apology to anyone who felt offended.

This reaction cause further consternation, as Hoeke herself also referred to the term elsewhere in the magazine.

In a second reaction through Twitter, Hoeke came to the following conclusion: “1. Don’t publish bad jokes in the magazine 2. Don’t pretend as if a bad joke is good. Sorry guys. My bad.” The response on social media now took on an international character. In a third reaction, Hoeke even offered to rectify in the next issue of Jackie. This morning Rihanna response on the article through Twitter. She was furious over the use of the word “n**gab**ch” and ended her message with “F**k you Eva.”

Through social media Hoeke was taunted and threatened in various ways.

Following these events she consulted with publisher Yves Gijrath of GMG. Together they came to the following joint conclusion: In the interest of Jackie Magazine and all involved she will leave her function as editor-in-chief effective immediately.

Hoeke gives the following comment: “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 “n**gab**ch” 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 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 for Jackie for eight years, I realize that these errors, although not intended maliciously, are enough reason for leaving.”

Publisher Yves Gijrath regrets the state of affairs and praises Hoeke’s attitude, who primarily chooses for the credibility of the title, which, as she realizes herself, would have been damaged had she stayed. According to Gijrath there’s no doubt about the intentions and qualities of Eva Hoeke, however he does think this joint decision is the correct one. Hoeke concludes: “I should have counted to ten before taking [unannounced stance] through social media channels. Through this my credibility has been hurt and that neither fits the role of an editor-in-chief, nor Jackie Magazine. Jackie Magazine will invite Rihanna to share her feelings and thoughts on the article in the next issue.” – via Parlour Magazine.

PHOTO CREDIT – PARLOUR MAGAZINE, FLYNET PICTURES