New Zealand music and culture publication Rip It Up (not to be confused with the Adelaide-based Australian publication) have received a deluge of criticism after publishing a review in which the author used an ethnic slur multiple times.
The Auckland-based publication published a review of the “hip-hop film” Dope last month, written by Andrew Johnstone, an editor at the magazine, under the headline: “Dope is a Hip Hop film about what it means to be a N****r“.
Johnstone, who remains unapologetic about his use of the incendiary word, went on to use it five times in his 220-word review. “Dope is a hip-hop film that explores what it means to be a N****r,” Johnstone opens.
“Secondly, and most importantly, what is a N****r? According to popular culture, a N****r likes bling and deals drugs, is armed and dangerous and usually drives some sort of ostentatious vehicle with rap music blaring from the massive speakers set in the doors.”
Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, Johnstone was unapologetic about the review and said he was “well used to” being the subject of vitriol from his writings. The writer claimed the term was used “liberally” throughout the film itself and in reviews by African-American media.
Johnstone said he believed the film-makers would “absolutely” approve of his use of the word. “We’re a cultural magazine and we’re interested in the cause of social enlightenment,” he told Stuff.co.nz.
“When we say everybody (is upset) we’re only talking about a few people. We’re talking about people who’ve seen the word and reacted and not seen the film. As for the word n****r, yes we understand its historical context, but we also understand the meaning of the word has changed over the years.”
Johnstone said he has a passionate interest in the topic of racism as he has Polynesian roots and he has previously written about being transgender and a victim of domestic abuse. “That’s what we do, we’re a liberal progressive magazine,” he said.
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Rip It Up publisher Grant Hislop said Johnstone won’t lose his job, but agreed the piece did not meet editorial standards. “I have reviewed the content in question and the review does not portray our intended context and I can understand how it has caused this reaction,” he wrote in a statement.
“We have a policy of sub-editing all contributed articles to ensure they meet editorial standards, however, in this instance, the review of the movie Dope was published prior to subbing and as a result appeared in its raw form missing some key references.”
“The writer is not bigoted and is in fact an avid promoter of equality in all areas of our community,” he said. “One only needs to read other articles we are publishing to qualify this.” Hislop said it was Johnstone’s enthusiasm for Dope that caused his haste.
“The intention of the reviewer was to raise the issues that the film explores as well as exploring the taboos that surround the word ‘n****r’ which is used throughout the film. We recognise that the intentions of the article have been misconstrued and taken out of context and apologise for any offence caused.”
