Makes people wonder 'Whatever happened to Free Speech.' Readers need to realize that in the UK and NL, etc. the use of some words having a complete different gist. I don't think this should make her resign esp. after the singer's vulgar tweet response. A simple apology would have sufficed, if anything. Ever listen to the lyrics of Rhianna’s r song 'Unfaithful.' She once seemed so innocent and sweet -now just seems like a cold-hearted bitch. Rhianna’s own words "People assume that I'm a b***h. But I don't think that I am. I just don't feel I have to be that enthusiastic if I don't know who you are yet." 17-2-2010

By Max | December 20, 2011 8:06 PM

Rihanna has an image to maintain, but unfortunately her 'Hard' persona often comes out to be a little bitchy. She can’t sing nor stay on key. Beyonce and Mariah Carey have real talent. A stray dog can sing better than Rhianna.

By Carter | December 20, 2011 8:07 PM

'Well with all respect, on behalf of my race, here are my two words for you...F*** You,' the singer said in a second Tweet'
As if Rhianna's derogatory response was any better. - On behalf of my race, It is better to remain silent and be thought a Bitch than to speak out and remove all doubt.("-_-")

By Chris | December 20, 2011 8:34 PM

Rihanna and all the politically correct obsessed should get over themselves. I understand exactly where Eva Hoeke was coming from in her use of the term 'word' N***Bitch and it wasn't meant to be a racial slur. And, I believe Rihanna knows that as well. Apparently 'blacks' can use the word freely in private, public, in print and on the air. In many uses it is meant as positive and flattering.

By Quince | December 20, 2011 8:45 PM

After a little research I am learning that these countries (Scandinavian and Dutch) are very xenophobic and because of that, very racist. But because we live in a global world, both writer and editors should be fired. The article should not have been written, but the bigger issue is that it should never have been printed. This is the ultimate proof that the editors can't do the job (and make no mistake, this offensive article was green-lighted on several levels before it went to print). The 'apology' is an insult itself: you simply can't use the most inflammatory racial slur and then say it was not racial. As for Rihanna's reaction, I give her points for stating clearly that what was written was not acceptable. I am so tired of Black celebrities that let this stuff go and accept the insincere (meaning: cover their ass) apology, rather than saying its wrong loud and long. As far as "hearing it on the radio," frankly I don't, that is not what I listen to. But even if it was, a mainstream magazine should know better. In this case I think they did. I believe they wrote what they felt (contempt, racism and all), and the real nasty surprise for them was the negative reaction when it was translated for the rest of the world.

By Sally | December 20, 2011 10:30 PM

Poor Quince can't understand why he can't use a gross racial slur - the white man is so deeply oppressed - while Max wonders whatever happened to free speech. Here's what happened. The writer - who is clearly a muppet of the first order - has not been prosecuted for what she said. Free speech breathes again. Max and Quince are both free to call anyone they like a nigger. I suggest they go down the Bijlmer and practise their right loudly and freely.

By John | December 20, 2011 10:42 PM

Those Dutch, particularly those with influential voices, who want to express their opinions in languages other than their own need to start learning such languages as they are used by native speakers rather than literally translating Dutch idioms and assuming that their own cultural background will be understood.

But then that would imply that other cultural viewpoints have some validity, which would never do.

By Fred Bloggs | December 20, 2011 11:39 PM

bitch can be tolerated...however the "N" word is verboten in the states (of course it is used in weak minded whitey world) and should be taught as such worldwide.. the Netherlands should follow suit and shame the use of this lingual hate word, especially since you folks have roads named after Martin Luther King. respect people...respect..exceptions do occur in the use of the word especially in African-American circles when addressing one another in a joking manner. reason for this?...maybe to use it enough so it don't shock ya...puts the people that is was used against in control of the weapon. Words can hurt....bitch or the "N" word are no exceptions. peace out

By d ram | December 20, 2011 11:46 PM

Because some rap artist and pop stars use the Nword to shock and make money doesn't mean all or most black people use the word. They do not. Most find the term and its derivatives offensive. For the ignorant people who think that because they hear someone use the term that they too can use it, go ahead and see how quickly you end up at eerste hulp. The Nword is so offensive that it incites people to violence. Further, people that use the term have agreed with each other to use it. Don't think that these teenagers and young adults speak to their parents and grandparents as you hear some speak to each other on the street.

By larry | December 21, 2011 7:09 AM

The problem is not the word "bitch". It's the very derogatory and racist word that accompanied it that is unacceptable. If it wasn't meant to be a racial slur, then a racial slur should not have been used.

By Valentijn | December 21, 2011 7:09 AM

w2hy do these articles keep explaining that "bitch" is commonly used? like thats the cause of the controversy lol

By Robert | December 21, 2011 8:06 AM

So what's the excuse for not knowing the difference between Jamaica and Barbadoes? Culturally different atlasses? The whole mess was down to NOT editing this piece of dreck magazine properly. Good riddance.

By J. | December 21, 2011 9:02 AM

There's a simple rule surrounding the "n" word in America. Only African Americans get to use it. Period. Years ago, it was intensely negative/derogatory term that many usurped and turned into an ironic term of endearment. The debate continues over whether or not it should be used at all by anyone and many in the black community wish it would go away entirely. It's mostly used among singer/rappers and teens.

Naturally, it should come as no surprise that a women's magazine printing the word along with an article aimed at children's fashion would result in a tremendous amount of controversy. Running that copy was impossibly naive and foolish.

By Z | December 21, 2011 9:52 AM

You can sit at your kitchen table with your family and shout the n-word all day long if you like. But when you bring it outside your space and decide to disrespect a race of people that died and suffered and labeled a "n___r" in the process you open up wounds that have healed and that is painful. Jews will not forget the Holocaust. Blacks will never forget the horrors of slavery and the racial discrimination that followed.

By Hart | December 21, 2011 10:28 AM

The idea that no topic of conversation is taboo for the Dutch has gone too far, especially when using racial slurs. Then again, they do have a fondness of misrepresenting black people and their cultures. Just look at Zwarte Piet. Maybe the Dutch secretly want to be black? It's better than aspiring to be white trash like the New Kids.

By Bob | December 21, 2011 11:39 AM

I think the Dutch adopting foreign words would do well to remember that media is now global and that what is communicated doesn't stay within its borders. Therefore, they are also confined to the definitions of these foreign words that already exist; they can't make up their own and pretend it's harmless or that what happens in the Netherlands stays in the Netherlands.
You want to participate in and allow global culture into your country, you get the package: words and their existing definitions, the history, the symbolism.

By CW | December 21, 2011 12:11 PM

It is not very difficult to understand that only Black people can use the derogatory word N***** it's common sense not cultural! As the best jewish jokes are made by the Jews but if you are not Jewish you have no right whatsoever to joke about the holocaust. Period.

By Elfe | December 21, 2011 12:31 PM

Z: 'impossibly naive and foolish' could very easily be used to describe many recent actions and developments here.
Obviously, without any discussion, calling anyone this name in a publication is simply wrong, and common sense to know that it is just plain wrong. Sadly we must explain things like this here.

By Bill | December 21, 2011 1:04 PM

Rihanna has used the N word in her music, and refereed to herself as the N word on other occasions. So I just want to make one thing clear: if blacks are allowed to use the word freely, but we white peopel are not than we are the victims of racism, and not the other way around.

By Pip | December 21, 2011 2:12 PM

Please let this whole thing result in dutch radio stations banning all Rhianna records from the playlists.

Please?

By osita | December 21, 2011 5:09 PM

Seems that the Dutch West India Company had jurisdiction over the slave trade and the word "neger" described their cargo. "Neger" is still the formal way to describe a black person in Holland to this day.
It was the American whites that created a new variation of the word to label, abuse and mistreat their new slaves.
So finally the word comes full circle, and at least one Dutch person has been held accountable for the sins of their forefathers.

By jaycee | December 21, 2011 6:09 PM

So Glad Rhianna spoke out, it is very true what she said, they Dutch are known for their foot in the mouth disease and calling someone a N word is disgusting in the 21st century. somebody needs to tell the Dutch that we are not anymore living in that slave and spice trade century they seem to have gotten stuck in.

By Denny | December 21, 2011 7:49 PM

Wow, Let just do an entire front page documentary on this! Might give Miss Rhianna some more media attention she so desperately needs. The Chris Brown narrative lost steam long ago. . Agreed, this editor should have known to use proper non-racial descriptions that ultimately offended an entire race of people. Publisher should have had better ethics as well. . Eva Hoeke apologised and resigned. Does Rhianna intend on pressing charges against the editor for damages to her reputation? Let Rhianna have her 15 minutes of fame in the next issue and put it behind her so she can get on with her career until her next media spotlight.The Queen of England doesn't get as much limelight.

By M | December 21, 2011 8:09 PM

The n word is inappropiate, regardless of free speech. YA CAN"T USE THE WORD! You will be unemployed.

By lonnae | December 21, 2011 8:37 PM

They shouldn't have used either of the words, especially the N-word.

But even if they hadn't used that language, what kind of magazine encourages parents to dress their young daughters like Rihanna anyway, especially *because of* the attitude she portrays?

By Krees | December 22, 2011 10:21 AM

DutchNews.nl why don't you publish Rihanna's entire quote? here's a link to it:http://www.digitalspy.com.au/showbiz/news/a356904/rihanna-on-racist-dutch-article-fk-you-on-behalf-of-my-race.html This is irresponsible reporting by your website you should not deliberately misquote a person to further a clear agenda on your part to justify this idiotic magazine editor's behaviour.

By Dee | December 22, 2011 9:24 PM

Stupid Jackie, next time have a black person to write about a black celebrity, and let him/her use whatever n/f/b/etc words about that celebrity.

By George | December 22, 2011 11:06 PM

The publisher should also resign. The article is proofread before it is printed and would probably approved to be printed in the magazine by either the publisher or another executive. In fact, why don't they just shut the entire magazine down for the racist remark. These people could find jobs elsewhere and learn from their stupid mistake for being racist in such professional positions. Boycott the magazine. That should work.

By Karen | December 23, 2011 4:39 PM

Just so we're clear, using the term 'bitch' is no more acceptable than using the term 'nigger'. They are both terms that are used to disempower, belittle and insult.

By Pangur Ban | December 31, 2011 2:00 PM