Reggae Artists Renounce Homophobia
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Wednesday, June 13 2007, 10:20AM
Three prominent reggae and dancehall performers have renounced homophobia and condemned violence against lesbians and gay men. Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton, each of whom have recorded anti-gay hate songs, have now signed onto a deal to stop the hate and stop the protests. The agreement, called the Reggae Compassionate Act, was brokered with top reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists.
The statement reads: "It must be clear there's no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia...We do not encourage nor minister to HATE but rather uphold a philosophy of LOVE, RESPECT and UNDERSTANDING towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae. We agree to not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community."
I am cautiously optimistic about the agreement. As I recall, another agreement was reached years before and then violated. I can only hope that the artists will be true to their word this time. The agreement comes after a three-year campaign by a British-based group called Stop Murder Music. The campaign had resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of concerts and sponsorship deals in the U.K., and helped spurn the movement in the U.S.
As a result of the agreement, the campaign against the three artists will now be suspended, but organizers are urging journalists and other observers worldwide to monitor the performances and statements of Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton.
Meanwhile, five other artists who have recorded anti-gay music are still targeted. Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton have not signed the Reggae Compassionate Act.
Gareth Williams, co-chair of the Jamaican gay group, J-Flag, hailed the statement as "a move in the right direction." He also said he hoped it was "not commercially motivated by the singers' desire to maintain their concert revenues, but a sincere commitment that will encourage an end to homophobic violence and to all violence against everyone."
I think that's optimistic. Actually, it would be ideal if the artists signed onto the agreement because they've seen the light, but in the end I'm not sure they have. On the one hand, I want the artists to do the right thing, regardless of what motivates them. If it takes money (or the loss of money) to inspire them, then so be it. On the other hand, money motivation only lasts so long.
The problem with being motivated solely by commercial interests is that those interests could change and their actions could change. The best solution is to keep pressing the artists by educating them and others so that they understand that violence against gays and lesbians, or against any group of people, is not acceptable behavior in society. The artists need to know that all humans deserve dignity and respect.
Comments conceal
Derrick from Philly
June 13 2007, 11:14AM
Should we believe them or should we do like too many white "children" did Isaiah, and never believe them? Well, I'm not going to do like too many white gays did Isaiah. I'm going to believe that these Reggae motha'
f___kas have had a drastic change of income...I, mean, heart; and that they are sincere and...well, I mean...oh, well. Shoot, I'll still never allow my queenified ass to set foot in Jamaica.
Seriously, if this statement by Reggie artists can cut down on the violence against Jamaican gays by Jamaicans then it's good. Hopefully, it will help.
Kenneth Winfrey
June 13 2007, 11:16AM
I think that the statement will convey the message to at least some of their fans that what they've been doing is wrong. Albeit guarded, I am somewhat optimistic.
Solo
June 13 2007, 11:29AM
Hopefully this will help curb the violence in Jamaica!
Mel Smith
June 13 2007, 1:07PM
I also hope so.
Cocoa Rican![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
June 13 2007, 1:15PM
It's great to see the power of solidarity in action...even if money is the motivator. Still, gay men in Jamaica are in danger and it will take more than boycotting Jamaican artist, it takes Americans (in general) to boycott all tourism with Jamaica. If the gov't won't step in to stop the violence the same motivator that helped craft this artistic agreement would force a political one.
C. Baptiste-Williams
June 13 2007, 1:18PM
Like you said it is hard to determine their motives.. but hopefully this will do some good.
Jon C
June 13 2007, 1:56PM
I agree it's hard to tell what their motives might be. However, I feel we have to do the whole "wise as serpents, harmless as doves" technique where we can show forgiveness and compassion but at the same time discern who or what are threats or dangers to our personal and collective well being.
geobaby
June 13 2007, 2:06PM
Time will only tell the real intent of their actions. In the meantime, we must all hold them accountable to the statements released.
Blue
June 13 2007, 2:24PM
Derrick, change of income is right ... part of me is like good, I am glad things are changing. However, the catty bitch in me says fuck 'em, they are only doing this bullshit because getting gigs cancelled is cutting into their pocket change. Who knows? I guess I'll take it for what it is and say it's a good thing ... for now. Let's see how long it lasts.
cmoney
June 13 2007, 2:59PM
Who says boycotts don't work? These guys are obviously feeling the pressure--if not in their own pockets, their record companies and management companies are damn sure pissed off at losing concert gigs. We should keep the pressure up until the rest of these hatemongers tone down their lyrics and make it unacceptable to advocate or engage in violence against gays and lesbians--even in Jamaica.
Charles
June 13 2007, 4:36PM
It's a trick!!! Don't be fooled!!! The next thing you know wolves will be renouncing lamb's meat.
Natalia
June 13 2007, 4:58PM
I don't believe this shit and I'm Jamaican. I say keep the boycotts going. This is similar to the "greening" of Walmarts' image. Totally motivated by money/lossed revenue.
Ostend Street
June 13 2007, 5:25PM
Hey!! Keep hitting them in their pocketbooks and we will see if they are really sincere. I agree with the blogger who said time will tell. Let's see what they do before we all pull back on the boycott.
Patch
June 13 2007, 5:37PM
I'm Jamaican, and I fully expect this to collapse before the ink is dry. The outrage that it will provoke in Jamaica and from the self-appointed defenders of Jamaican homophobic "culture" in Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora will cause them to turn tail and run. They are intellectually incapable of defending their position against the homophobes, and will (a) blame their "battyman agents" for coercing them to sign and (b) say they never really agreed with it in the first place. I would like nothing more than to be proven wrong, but I do not expect to be. Heard it all before...
LaRufus
June 13 2007, 6:07PM
Well, I think that it was due to a lack of coins coming in and all the boycotts and canceled shows. But, that said, I will give them the benefit of the doubt, not going to be so hard hearted as not to think that people can try to change their evil, homophobic ways, I'll leave that for the white guys and the Isaiah debacle to be petty and hateful after an apology.
If it makes one gay basher stop and think that its wrong to hate based on a person's sexuality, its a step forward, a small one sure, but, that least someone in that genre is thinking. And, if they can rid themselves of the hate, maybe a new generation will grow up without it.
jas
June 13 2007, 7:08PM
agreeing with Patch i don't believe this for a second! the record companies wrote this and handed them the pen in an effort to cover their asses and ensure revenue. but hey its still better than nothing right? however they're still playing boom bye bye and chichi man all over. and i saw a recent clip of Sizzla in concert on Youtube up to his same old tricks.
but it's a bit different from the Isaiah situation as i don't even think he meant anything that wrong by using that term, he just didn't think. the whole thing was petty and a lot of people (yes even white ppl, including me!) thought that went too far.
Mel Smith
June 13 2007, 10:05PM
Look, just because Jamaican culture is homophobic does not make homophobia right. Many cultures are also sexist and racist. That does not make it right. Whoever think it is popular to hate on someone for who they are is a real confused as$. Nazi culture was anti Jewish. That does not make it right. There is a such thing as good and bad culture. Harassing a minority group in society is not good culture.
Mike_88
June 14 2007, 12:17PM
You all can tkae however you want. Either way, it forces hateful artist to stop spreading hate among other people. That's how aparthied was stop, pressure. Whether you agree with their intention or not, it's workings and everyone whould be happy about that.
Black
June 14 2007, 10:24PM
And because these people are sooooooo concerned what happens in Jamaica, I now fully expect them to come to Jamaica and have new education programs, programs to end poverty, hunger and AIDS. . .
Of course that won't happen, they dont really care about us, just this gay thing. Well cheers to you.
Kurt
June 15 2007, 11:02PM
We'll see.
ToddyEnglish
June 19 2007, 3:43PM
It's all about the Benjammins. Ole Beanie Head got hit hard in the pocket book so now he's rolling over and showing his belly.
Well, if it will help stop anti-gay mobs in Jamaica then I'm for it. I still think Beanie Man sucks.
BostonBoi
June 20 2007, 9:11PM
If anyone thinks that these hatemongers are going to change the way they actually think about gay people, they are delusional. Yes, they have been hit in the wallet, but who's to stop their homophobic fans from continuing to fan the flames of hatred and violence against GLBT people. I say keep the boycott up and force all of their asses back to Jamaica, where they can stew in the that hotbed of homophobia. Nothing is going to change in Jamaica, or anywhere else for that matter, until laws are changed and people are seriously and severely punished for their crimes against GLBT people.
baby blue
July 30 2007, 1:46AM
am from jamaica and the kind of songs i hear really dont scare me. and am also gay!!!!!!
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