Staceyann Chin Takes On Murder Music
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Friday, August 24 2007, 2:26AM
A year ago this summer, a group of activists and bloggers came together to stop a New York concert featuring homophobic reggae artists Beenie Man and TOK. The activists won, the concert promoters backed down, and the event was canceled without incident.
This weekend the movement continues as a coalition of LGBT activists plan a new demonstration on Saturday to protest the appearance of Bounty Killer and Buju Banton, two Jamaican dancehall artists who have recorded songs about killing gay men. But the activists aren't just talking about Jamaican or Caribbean performers. They want to make it very clear that "murder music" is not acceptable in any genre. With that in mind, I thought it would be a good time to hear from Staceyann Chin, one of the leading organizers of Saturday's demonstration. In a special guest column below, she says she "could not in good conscience condone the flagrant disregard for human rights apparent in the lyrics of the contended songs."
The Bell Tolls for Murder Music - in All Its Forms
By Staceyann ChinOnce again, the bell tolls for homophobia and violence. And once again, dancehall artists are called to task about the music they make, the messages they purport and the integrity of the proceeds they procure from the rhythms they rock.
On Saturday, August 25, an impressive and diverse list of reggae musicians is slated to grace the stages of the Randalls Island. For the majority of New Yorkers, most of the artists are negligible—the two that cause the hackles of gay activists to rise are Bounty Killer and Buju Banton, both of whom are well known and loved by the connoisseurs of dancehall music.
Having left Jamaica ten years ago because of the violently homophobic atmosphere that pervades the socio-cultural landscape, I am in support of the voices that cry out against music that advocates for the murder of homosexuals. But being Jamaican makes me suspicious of previous campaigns that seem to single out and target only dancehall artists. I came into adulthood with the sounds of Buju’s "Boom Bye Bye" and "Murderer" blaring from the speakers of my late teen and early twenties. One song calls for the death of all gay men. The other accuses the murderer and makes a case for the murdered. The latter is perfectly in keeping with the lived tenets of my activist self. The former desecrates all I hold dear.
Needless to say, I have mixed feelings about boycotting independent artists who, are only manipulating a system put in place by Almighty corporations that market their music and mete out a small percentage of the profits to them. Many of these artists only make money when they tour. Boycotts severely disrupt the financial security of artists who are not very wealthy themselves.
Another sore point for most Jamaicans is the largely white faces that have led these protests. In the global context of racism and the frequent cultural insensitivity of the larger first world countries, many Jamaicans who oppose the homophobic sentiments are reticent to even dialogue with those who lead the outcry against "murder music." In the power dichotomy between Blacks and Whites, the artists emerge on the moral high ground of racial and cultural victimization.
All that said, as a gay rights activist, I could not in good conscience condone the flagrant disregard for human rights apparent in the lyrics of the contended songs. My body will continue to stand in protest because I believe violent homophobic lyrics ought not to be allowed on any stage supported by public funds. But I also believe that all parties, regardless of genre of music or the particulars of the participation, all who are complicit in the making and marketing of such music should be held accountable to the same standards. So if these sentiments are present in Hip Hop or Hard Rock or Bluegrass or Dancehall, all artists and recording companies and consumers and owners of venues and radio stations and TV stations—all parties should be added to the list of murder music makers and supporters. That point is beautifully illustrated in Clear Channel pulling its support after they were named as supporters of the Randalls Island Carifest.
If we want to dismantle the infrastructure through which this music is distributed we need to facilitate a conversation that has at its heart, real accountability, comprehensive education, honest dialogue and the intent toward systematic change. It is a forgone conclusion that if public arenas did not make space for this kind of art most artists would not be inclined to create it. Imagine if all the songs about beating and killing and degrading people were immediately removed and banned from our airwaves. Such a vacuum would exist that artists might be moved to frantically create music with philosophies that feature messages of human rights and social justice, rather than the irresponsible and offensive beats too often presented in the media and on stage.
(Those who wish to participate in the demonstration should meet at the offices of Gay Men of African Descent, 103 W. 125th Street at Lenox Avenue, Suite 503, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.)
Staceyann Chin is a New York-based artist, poet and political activist. She can be reached on her web site at staceyannchin.com or on her myspace page.
Comments conceal
Black
August 24 2007, 8:37AM
Almost everytime I come on this site I see something negative written about where I live.
Always a lecture about what we're doing wrong, but not 2 words about what we're doing right, not even a word about the hurricane.
I cannot come to this site anymore.
elg
August 24 2007, 9:38AM
"In the power dichotomy between Blacks and Whites, the artists [who perform murder music]emerge on the moral high ground of racial and culteral victimization".
I don't see any circumstance whereby performers of murder music can emerge on the "moral high ground". They don't deserve to have financial security if they are advocating that I, and people like me, should be murdered because we are gay. The goal should be to put them out of business for good.
Kenneth Winfrey
August 24 2007, 9:39AM
@Black: Stacyann seems to provide some balance to the dialog about Jamaica's homophobia. She is clearly saying that Jamaican artists are too often singled out in the dialog on "murder music." She is also acknowleging that Jamaicans have some larger problems--all of which would clearly be exacerbated by a natural disaster like a hurricane. Also, not everything is published as soon as it is written. This may have been written before the storm.
I have Jamaican cousins in my family so I know that not all Jamaicans are homophobic. Just as we know that some Blacks in America aren't either, we also know that many are too complicit, using "God" as a rationale for gross human rights violations.
Nevertheless, no matter where you live, if you are NOT homophobic and if you can honestly state you have no problem with LGBTs in your community, you are halfway there, and you shouldn't be offended. To really make a difference however, you must also stand up and speak out against injustice.
Chris
August 24 2007, 11:43AM
I am a full-blooded Jamaican, and I have absolutely no problem with the movement to put these so-called Dancehall artists/ DJs out of business unless they start refraining from producing these highly homophobic songs which incite violence against gay men and women. These songs do tremendous damage in sustaining an atmosphere in Jamaica that is physically and mentally damaging to gay men and women. I know; I lived there for the first 27 years of my life. It was traumatizing for me, caused me anxiety, but I didn't feel safe telling anyone (including physicians) what was the real source of my symptoms. I love my country and culture, but this intensely homophobic aspect of it must not be tolerated! As mentioned before, this is a human rights issue at its core.
Blue
August 24 2007, 2:23PM
I don't know what to say really. What Staceyann's doing is amazing. But I wonder what impact it will all really make. I guess I don't have much of a fighter in me, and I can admit that. I just don't see a point in pouring a bunch of energy into changing the way these folks think. The change that needs to happen there goes far beyond murder music - its the overall culture that needs to change. And given the state that Jamaica is in ... I don't know. Regardless, I'm glad the sister is doing her thing. I just hope all the blood, sweat and tears pay off. All I know is I have always made it a point to avoid the islands period when it comes to vacation destinations, and I don't think that will change anytime soon.
Joseph
August 24 2007, 2:55PM
In all honestly I'm conflicted I mean I hate the homophobia that Buju and Bounty represent but at the same time there are lot of other dancehall/reggae artists like The Marley Family (Stephen Marley one of my favorite artists is performing at the event Saturday, and Sean Paul who dont put out homophobic artists. From what I understand the only homophobic artists that are goig to be at this event are Buu and Bounty and if so should we protest a whole event over two individuals. Could we be hanging ourselves by protesting and shutting down an event where there may be LGBT, and LGBT-friendly individuals there who would otherwise support us but by doing this may end up saying "Fuck it we cant please them so why even try?". I feel that we're taking too strong a cue from the mainstream white gay and lesbian community aka the gay mafia and protesting these individuals rather than sit down with them and talking to them like human beings
tilly![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
August 24 2007, 3:12PM
Feeling some ambivalence about any social change is normal; if you don't, then you are probably way too committed to an ideology, and thus too tunnel-visioned to see multiple possibilities.
"Black": The normal response for Jamaicans these days is to be totally unreflexive and blindingly patriotic in relation to any critique of Jamaica. Don't do that to yourself. It makes you look shallow.
That said, Keith has only covered problems and issues regarding antigay violence in Jamaica (or posted pics sexualizing the place even more, but I digress). So you are picking up on something important; that is, through this kind of coverage, he is confirming and giving legitimacy to the half-truths and stereotypes about Jamaica. Now, most queer Jamaicans find themselves forced to talk about themselves as victims, and Jamaica as a hellhole, or to deny it all. To be heard as a queer Jac'n these days, you must have a scar, a buss-up head, and you must certainly be a man (yes, Staceyann exists...). No complexity there
Mel Smith
August 24 2007, 4:33PM
I will definitely attend the Saturday demostration. This will be my very first demostration against something, but as a 27-year-old black man, I believe that I would be doing an injustice to people like Bayard Rustin and others who spoke out on behalf of my human rights, and we as black people should show our faces more. People think the word 'gay' means white. Beenie man made the following comment at a Philadelphia concert, "If you have sex with a man, that's your own business. We don't fight against lifestyles. We just don't want anyone to molest our kids." What was he trying to say? We are all child molestors or something? His comment literally makes me sick to my stomach. They dehumanize and compare us to child molestors. AND HOMOPHOBES DON'T CARE THAT YOUR SKIN IS BLACK!!!!!!!!!! Go to the blackplanet.com website. People be calling us all types of f@gs, faggs this and faggs that. One man even called for our execution and the people on that site, also compare us to child molestors.
AJ
August 24 2007, 4:49PM
Well, I am excited! It’s time that we stand together in unity to rightfully proclaim our message of hope, peace, and democracy. For years, we have sat in the background forced to compromise ourselves, who we are and in what we believe. I applaud you, Ms. Staceyann for the passion you have for your people, your position in fight, and your hope for a promising tomorrow.
Black, you are my brother, and I love you, no matter your race, country, color, or creed, I love you.
What we need to understand is that there is a problem in Jamaica, there is a problem in the United States, and this problem lingers all around us, and stretches far beyond the human eye. So we aren’t just trying to ridicule Jamaica. But we have realized now that we aren’t just going to sit around anymore. Our people, this people—gay, straight, Cambodian, Asian, whites, black, Jamaica—we are stepping up to the plate and saying, “HEY! We aren’t going to tolerate your music or beliefs that promotes hatred and violence against gays or agains
Billy
August 24 2007, 4:53PM
I like the majority of every one else here am torn. I know that homophobic words in any form (music, movies etc) is harmful and hurtful. I have several friends from the caribbean islands and a cousin that's Jamaican. I have heard the stories of how they treat LGBT folks and they hurt my spirit. I also know that the protest seem to only hurt the artists in the long run and they are just voicing the same thoughts that the majority are saying. CLEAR CHANNEL and all these other folks walk away whistling with their hands in their pants.
Black
August 24 2007, 5:49PM
I must tell the rest of the world that the next young group of dancehall artists popular here now do not make homophobic songs. Instead they make a despicably violent type of dancehall which glorifies the killing of heterosexuals and orientation unspecified individuals, and I doubt these people will care very much about boycotting that.
As I doubt they are soon to line up to cheer our artists like Tanya Stephens who have recorded anti-homophobic songs. And are still highly regarded and lauded as brilliant in Jamaica, because you dont go that far, you want only the bad.
I don't care how shallow, or blindingly patriotic I look when you do your shallow and blindingly negative reporting and stereotyping against me. This needs to stop!
AJ
August 24 2007, 5:58PM
You are right it does need to stop... and NOW... THAT IS EXACTLY THE MESSAGE WE ARE PREACHER... so hopefully you know understand what it means...
Kenneth Winfrey
August 24 2007, 6:03PM
Black, you really need to re-read this article and stop taking it personal. Jamaica has a serious human rights problem--this is mere fact, not propoganda or stereotype. After all, people clearly (re-read the comments too) also know that Jamaica is more than its homophobia. Nobody is saying that all of Jamaica is bad. We are merely recognizing the disparity for LGBYT people there *period.*
No one is stereotyping you or Jamaica. We have clearly also talked about the problem of homophobia within the Black community in the States (and elsewhere). Moreover (and over and over) Stacyann has addressed the issue of homophobia and violence of all kinds in music from both the US and Jamaica, and the fact that Jamaican music artists are unfairly singled out.
Stacyann would agree with you in avoiding stereotypes about Jamaica. I agree with you that stereotyping all Jamaicans is wrong. Chill Black.
Black
August 25 2007, 3:52AM
Chill?
Kenneth, go up on this very same page and search jamaica and notice the overwhelming number of negative articles written about us here alone. I work for a wire service and besides the hurricane and next week's elections, this is the type of news that is being reported about Jamaica across the board. That's stereotyping.
And as far as the article. Read what is being said, and read what is being done. It suggests not singling out Jamaica and our artists, but it does single out Jamaica and our artists in action.
I'm certainly not going to disagree that we have a large problem with homophobia and something needs to be done which the almost penniless JFLAG is attempting to do. But pardon me for taking offense when you only bring us up as an example of how not to be.
David
August 25 2007, 12:59PM
I have no problem boycotting anyone who is advocating that
I should be murdered because I'm Gay.
Let's be clear about this. This music is advocating the murder of myself, all of the gay people who are on this site, as well as all of our gay partners, friends and relatives.
The word for this is genocide.
kennethwinfrey
August 25 2007, 1:29PM
Well, perhaps it's not so hard to say something nice about Jamaica in the context of the LGBT population (of which many of here belong). Please, tell us something positive about Jamaica (in particular LGBT life there) to help balance the dialog!
Troy
August 25 2007, 9:59PM
getting in any which way we can: I suggest our esteemed other location dwellers write and call the venues and advertisers that give these musicmolesters their ground. No owner of any stadium, record company and their advertisers want their property linked to bad-negative takes.
DO what Reebok and Nike did to Brother Mike Vick: Hit 'em where it'll really hurt. List of sponsors and owners easy to google. YOU and that smallest of input are needed in this -today.
Great picture on Ms. Chin, magnifico.
Nyah
August 25 2007, 10:32PM
Dear Black:
As being part Jamaican, I love certain aspects of my culture: hard work ethic and food (I am just thinking of ackee and salfish right now), but the outrageous violence against homosexuals and the political corruption is unacceptable.
And on political corruption :
How is it acceptable that the majority of the money made by tourism is not going to the majority of people on the island. In fact the hotels and the tourist sites on the North Coast are not even owned by the Jamaican people.
People are not leaving Jamaica because they are tired of the climate, they leave because there is not a lot of opportunities to grow on the island. And if they are not leaving, they are rioting (remember the riots a couple of years ago).
Mel Smith
August 25 2007, 11:21PM
Well, brothers and sisters, I attended my first ever protest demostration earlier today. If you go to WB Channel 11 News New York Website, you will see that I am the man with the purple shirt on. I'm holding a sign up, and they also got a good face shot of me. I am brown skinned. You cannot miss me. Go to the Channel 11 news website, and look for the video about the protest.
Mel Smith
August 26 2007, 12:11AM
Actually, since the news story is brand new(I saw myself Saturday night at 10), I don't think Channel ll News posted the video online, yet. Anyway, make sure you go to the website and look for the 10'o clock news segment, today or Monday. The video should be on the website today.
Black
August 26 2007, 11:59AM
@Kenneth
As I mentioned Tanya Stephens has made a song on her album striking against homophobia; Sean Paul has also spoken out against homophobic music from his peers and homophobia itself, there is an openly gay teacher in Mobay, no, parents are not running to take their children from her class, there has been a running dialog of whether or not condoms should be issued in jails on the island over the past half decade, we have JFLAG, still relatively active and nearing a decade anniversary.
And I know this may not seem like a big deal but there is an old saying that one must crawl before walking and certainly its a start. Were MOST Jamaicans not genuinely hard working people who are just trying to find a way to feed their kids and not the vicious homophobic mongrels the international media so often id's us as, we'd literally do nothing all day everyday but harm members of our LGBT community.
jas
August 26 2007, 2:05PM
maybe me and the other members of the gay white mafia should go over there and use our mafia ways to destroy homophobia! seeing as we are so dangerous and all-powerful!
but seriously -- i think there is so much focus on homophobia in jamaica now becuase we are fighting for a cause, and when you fight for a cause you have to put focus on the issue. i have gay friends from the carribbean and enjoy the culture, but it has to be possible to have two thoughts in our heads at the same time. like people said above, protesting homophobia doesnt mean you're against the whole country. kind of like the whole iraq debate - just because you're against the war, it doesnt mean you're not supporting the troops. but a lot of people don't understand how you can do this. and i didnt know tanya stephens had made a song about it, thats a positive thing.
but i agree with black, to combat homophobia it might be a good idea to organize financial support initiatives for Jflag as well as having these demonstrations.
Ron Lee
August 26 2007, 4:50PM
First of all I want to commend you,Stacey for your leadership in the eradication of murder & self-deprecation so-called music. It's ashame that we have come to this,I remember warning females and gay people years ago about the emerging music that was detramental to both groups. I remember Cong.woman Tucker, also sounding the alarm in congress,but to no avail. This white majority society still decides whats important on the national scene and what isn't. Right now it's O.K. for young black men in vides to sport gang clothing and symbols and flash guns becase they are going to kill black people and thats O.K.,YOU JUST BETTER NOT f$$k with the dog. PEACE OUT.... I to was weighting to see if anyone here would post anything about the impending hurricane and got busy and forgot to post as well,God speed to the people of Jamica,Martinique,St.Kitts,St.Lucia and to our brothers & sisters in Mexico & Belize.BLACK, STAY ON D'BOARD & KEEP US CENTERED.
J
August 27 2007, 7:59AM
So I guess it was evil Jamaican reggae artists that put holes in those gay Jersey kids the other day. We must destroy them! Their power is too great! Before you know it there'll be people everywhere rocking yellow mesh shirts and lighting SGL's up like Xmas trees. Get out. People who just don't like WI people for some reason will snatch up any reason to spit on them.
Stacey and her hair might feel good about this move and so may many of you, but it doesn't matter to those artists and a shift in music won't change Jamaica. Like Black said, why not give more support to the artists that uplift all people. There are PLENTY of them out there. Then again some of you might turn your nose up at them because they like greenery or bright colors or whatever it is WIphobes want to jump on. I better not catch ANY of you in the bakery stuffing your face.
adrian
August 27 2007, 5:48PM
@black: i don't see anything wrong with pointing out the flaws of jamaica, and i don't think that a hurricane should stop us from trying to liberate glbtq people in that area from oppression. they have people like reverend john hardy talking in the media about how the beating and the murder of queers is justifiable because male slaves were raped by slave owners. basically they're attempting to liberate themselves by killing fellow jamaicans and shitting all over the queer rights. i'm sorry if paying attention to such nonsense doesn't seem right to you at this time because you have family there, but i'm certainly not going to just begin ignoring it.
i mean no disrespect when i say that it is an unsafe place for homosexuals. if anything my own personal goal in creating awareness is to HELP jamaican people, not harm them.
Ron Lee
August 29 2007, 6:05PM
Adrian, it is just that history of male slaves being emasculated as well as, wealthy white homosexuals in the 20century vacationing in the islands and believing that every man there was for the taking, which stems this animosity. It should also, be noted that many of the peoples of the islands murdered and overthrew their so-called masters. PEACE OUT.
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