Live Nation Sponsors Artist Who Sings About Killing Gay People
Published August 24, 2009 @ 04:54PM PT
Generally speaking, if you hear someone sing about taking an uzi, holding it up to a gay person's head, and then blowing the trigger, you wouldn't anticipate that they would get a national concert tour sponsored by one of the leading music industry promoters in the world. That's not the case with Buju Banton, a Jamaican artist who has repeatedly called for the execution of gays in his songs, who is being promoted by Live Nation for a series of concerts at the House of Blues this October. Live Nation lists four concerts for Banton, in Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Houston. And they're all at House of Blues.
Banton's songs are laced with the type of violence toward LGBT people that one would expect from a terrorist, not an international music star. A sample:
Anytime Buju Banton comes
Faggots get up and run.
Boom (gun shot) bye bye (Goodbye, as in you're dead)
In a faggot's head
Rude boy don't promote any nasty (queer) man
They have to die...
Send for the automatic (gun) and
The Uzi (gun) instead
Shoot them, don't come (to help them) if we shoot them...
If a guy comes near me
Then his skin must peel
Burn him up bad like an old tire wheel
I'm curious what part of that song Live Nation most wants to promote? The part where he advocates shooting a gay person in the face? The part where he advocates pouring acid on a gay person's skin? Or the part where he wants to burn gay people like old tires?
Efforts to protest Buju Banton have been around for quite some time, and even led the singer to sign in 2007 a "Reggae Compassionate Act," which sought to root out homophobic lyrics in reggae music. Pink News, however, reports that Banton withdrew his support for the Reggae Compassionate Act and never signed it.
Whether he did or didn't, Banton has continued to use pretty vile language to define the LGBT community. He's called LGBT protestors of his music "stupid" and "ignorant," told them to "fuck" off, and continues to sing homophobic songs (like the one above). YouTube video of him singing the song above in Miami came out AFTER he made a pledge to stop singing the song. Banton also sang the song at a Guyana music festival, causing the ire of local LGBT activists.
If Buju Banton is going to renounce homophobia in his lyrics, he should make that commitment extremely public. Until then, by Live Nation choosing to sponsor his tour, it sends the message that singing about murdering gay people is not only appropriate, it's lucrative.
Let Live Nation and the House of Blues know what you think. He's got four dates scheduled on Live Nation's site. Gayliberation.net has even more dates listed for Banton.
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Comments (50)
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.
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Thanks Mike for starting this petition. Last year (perhaps the year before) House of Blues featured him here in San Diego. The calls for boycott were heard loud and clear for which they moved his show to 4th and B which wasn't much of a change of venue considering the same person that owns the HoB (here in SD) was also an owner of 4th & B.
About 200 of us showed up to protest the event. I have been to multiple events at both of those venues but not since that event. I refuse to provide my financial support to ANY organization that supports homophobia.
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 05:02PM PT
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Dave, agreed. No idea what Live Nation is thinking here...to the best of my knowledge, Banton hasn't apologized for any of the comments he made. In fact, he seems to just antagonize LGBT people even more.
Posted by Michael Jones on 08/24/2009 @ 05:07PM PT
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You know what? Perhaps we should seek out others entertainers that represent Live Nation and lobby them to drop Live Nation? If we get enough people to leave them perhaps Live Nation will understand the power of the LGBT community. Their site lists Kathy Griffin as one of those they are promoting. That is something I don't think she would stand for.
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 07:21PM PT
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UGH! Sorry, I can't seem to write very well today, I think you get the gist of what I was trying to say though.
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 07:21PM PT
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Great idea, Dave. We should absolutely reach out to Kathy Griffin and other artists. We'll work on that first thing tomorrow - and keep the good ideas coming!
Posted by Ben Rattray on 08/24/2009 @ 08:52PM PT
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Thanks Ben!!!
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 08:53PM PT
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We have at most 100 yrs or so to live, and you want to spend the good grace God gave you, to riot artists, if you don't like it, don't listen, Picketing won't change how he feels, and it certainly won't change the fact that some may listen, no matter how disturbing it may be, sad yes, but will you waist precious time in your life to run around with signs in your hands, when you could be out enjoying yourselves.. showing them that it doesn't get to you, that you are the bigger man, that you are in fact stronger than they? I know plenty of GBLT who are disgruntled because other GBLT take it upon themselves to do things such like this, and make a bad name for them, They just live the way they are, and don't care how they are viewed, because they are happy, and are accepted for it, maybe you should move,? I don't know where you live, but they are accepted here in CO, and it shouldn't be like that, cuz out here, they are not always trying to seperate themselves from others, because that's not what it's about. Its about freedom, and love, and the more of it, the more merrier people will be, my heart goes out to you !
Posted by Jon TeKrony on 08/25/2009 @ 10:13AM PT
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That guy is a tool. I'm pretty sure I don't need yo elaborate.
Posted by Trang Christine Ta on 08/24/2009 @ 05:30PM PT
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The intolerant Buju Banton must not have been sponsored by Live Nation. Live Nation has made a serious mistake by promoting homophobia with a multi-state tour with Buju Banton headlining. This kind of homophobia is unjustified and must treated as such, thus Live Nation must revoke Buju Banton his United States tour. Even more, he didn't sign the "Raggae Compassionate Act" while justifying cruelty against the LGBT community.
Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 08/24/2009 @ 06:28PM PT
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Put Live Nation out of business. Attack the record label. Tell them you will not purchase any CD's or any other type of music from that label until they remove this trash from the marketplace. Also boycott any radio or television network that advertises their music. They will get the message loud and clear.
Posted by Mike Nichols on 08/24/2009 @ 11:08PM PT
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This is disturbing. Buju Banton wrote that song 20 years ago -- when he was all of 15 years old. His musical catalog -- not to mention the fact that he has been able to maintain a thriving career speaks volumes. You are so out of touch. Get a grip and do your research before persecuting an artist who has done so much to uplift and inspire people all over the world through his music. Oh wait. Could it be because BB is a black man?
Posted by Jean D. on 08/25/2009 @ 01:21AM PT
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Jean, Are you F*CKING serious? REALLY?
that's right, I'm calling you out on your BULLSHIT! There are PLENTY of black artists that are GREAT! By supporting a BIGOT(!) in EVERY sense of the word, that makes YOU a bigot as well! Have you NOT read the lyrics in his music? It is CLEAR that you have not! If you think advocating to the MURDER of LGBTs is not bigotry and HATEW then there is absolutely NO HELP for you!
May YOU ROT IN HELL right along side of Buju Bantobn!
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/25/2009 @ 02:09AM PT
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Dave -- please keep the insults and expletives out of your little diatribes. Makes it hard to take you seriously.
Obviously you are the one who hasn't listened to any of Buju Banton's music. If you had listened then you would likely come to a very different conclusion about who this man is and what he represents today.
I understand it may be difficult for you to get past that one, 20 year old song and listen to the rest of his music, but if you feel you want to make a judgement call about a man's humanity based on his music -- then you MUST listen. To all of it. Otherwise you're just another talking head, talking a whole lotta yang about someone/something you really know nothing about. Not cool.
You clearly have some anger issues, Dave. Why else would you wild out on me online for simply sharing my opinion on the matter at hand. See, that's the problem. You don't want dialogue. You just want to dictate your beliefs and not be questioned or challenged. Again, not cool.
I don't too care for this newfangled bullying being disguised as activism... What happened to building bridges and finding commonalities among disparate communities? What about forgiveness?
Maybe it's time to let go of all the anger and move on.
Respectfully,
Jean
Posted by Jean D. on 08/25/2009 @ 06:49AM PT
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I think we all should admit that yes, this song was written many years ago. But the fact that Banton continues to perform it - regardless of what his other music might say - is still scary. I can't help but think that songs like this only reinforce attitudes in places like Jamaica where LGBT people face routine violence, murder, torture and assault.
Posted by Michael Jones on 08/25/2009 @ 07:04AM PT
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Jean,
I have listened to much of his music. Give me a reason to forgive him and I may. As it was mentioned in the article, he "backed" away from homophobic lyrics in Reggae music, and then backed away from the backing away, reverting back to his old position. The man STILL advocates pain, suffering and the death of fellow humans.
For THAT yes I do judge him. As others have stated and taking into account that he still performs this song (and others like it,) it might as well have been written yesterday.
Dictate? Sure whatever. I'm more than ready to have a dialogue, but when members of my community are under assault on a daily basis, yeah, I'm going to be a bit defensive.
Until you have been in my shoes: raped, stabbed, beaten and left for dead (17 years ago) for nothing more than being gay, then maybe we'll talk. I'm one of the lucky ones, I survived. From that day forward, I made a promise to myself, whenever and wherever I see or hear anything that resembles anything of what I experienced, I will do anything and everything within my power to put a halt to it.
This man continues to perpetuate the attitude of hatred towards LGBT all the while making a living spreading that hatred among his followers and for that I stand by my initial statement. I hope he rots in hell!
Dave
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/25/2009 @ 10:25AM PT
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Jean what is disturbing is that you support it this and you are insulting the GLBT community.. you must think people should turn the other cheek... right when his songs promotes hate and possibly crimes against the GLBT people.. turn the other cheek and one day Karma will pay you a nice prize as well.
Posted by Lara Nunes on 08/26/2009 @ 03:00AM PT
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It is outrageous that anyone would condone someone like this jerk.
Posted by Jay Jonson on 08/26/2009 @ 05:07AM PT
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I'm 16, and I know the difference between what is wrong and what is right, and if BB is as talented as you describe, Jean, then at 15 years old he should have been perfectly capable of understand that too. However--He did not, and chose to write a deragatory song that has offended the LGBT community, because he is, indeed, a bigot, and there is absolutely no denying it. And he continues to sing those same lyrics, which means he still believes in what he sings. That, or he's an insensitive musician who feeds off his fans for singing something that even he would consider archaic. Eitherway, he's not in a very good position.
So you suggest Dave is the bigot, even a racist, when here you have BB singing about killing "faggots".
I agree, let's move on. I'm waiting for an apology by Live Nations and BB, then we can move on.
Posted by Dina Yazdani on 08/29/2009 @ 08:57PM PT
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I don't know anything about this artist, in fact I have never heard of him. If this song is still performed he may as well have written it yesterday. It's that simple.
Posted by Graham Smith on 08/25/2009 @ 09:07AM PT
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It's freedom of speech simply, I have a sister who is lesbian, I don't promote what he is singing, but simply, if there is an audience, than they will be sponsored, it's about business. I don't see women jumping to the polls when rappers sing about using, and abusing them, tossing em around like groupies, I feel like more and more, LGBT are separating themselves further and further, they want this, than they want that. And I can imagine how much hate will be hailed down upon me, for this, but really, what next ? your own nation?? This is poor representation of what you are, YOUR PEOPLE, just like anybody else, stop segregating yourselves! Like I said, I live in Denver, and My sister is Lesbian, I love her with all my heart, why is it I don't hear her and her friends, whining about how they should have this or that, even at Gay Pride which I attended with her, just out of curiousity, I don't see people hailing on how they should be treated different, I thought you wanted equality? This is one guy, and his opinions, wrong as they might seem to some, but than again, Out spoken White Knights (KKK) still preach down in the south, and do you see a big storm of people complaining? no, cuz it does not affect their lives, It is what it is, will you let it bring you down?? Or just move forward, and be who you are?! oh and by the way... you can't blow the trigger?! it's called pulling the trigger.
Posted by Jon TeKrony on 08/25/2009 @ 10:06AM PT
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Jon,
So what you are saying is that only HIS "freedom of speech" is protected.
We have JUST as much right to speak out AGAINST him. We can choose whether or not to support and incite a boycott of organizations that support hate. And by the way, the outspoken white knights you speak of? Yes, they are constantly being complained about. There are organizations dedicated to stomping out the hatred of all forms of hate, ever heard of the Southern Poverty Law Center?
I don't know who the hell you are kidding. I remember the use of the confederate flag coming under attack a few years back, but I guess that was "complaining" in your mind, it must have been "whining."
How are we segregating ourselves? By not financially supporting someone or businesses that spread hate toward us? Really? You want us to simply integrate with those who hate us.
You see, we have choices. We don't nor should we have to support those (individuals OR businesses) who seek to do us harm. I personally love Reggae music, but this man has taken his hatred to the extreme. I will not support those who hate us. Or "just move forward." Suppose it was you and your wife or your family under attack? Would you then "just move forward?"
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/25/2009 @ 10:39AM PT
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well this so called artists is the jamanican KKK because he is promoting the same thing. if you are not comdemning this artists.this Buju dude is a disgrace...
Posted by Lara Nunes on 08/26/2009 @ 03:06AM PT
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"I don't see women jumping to the polls when rappers sing about using, and abusing them, tossing em around like groupies"
Just because YOU don't personally see or engage in the battles, doesn't mean they aren't raging despite you.
Posted by Lisa Smolen on 08/26/2009 @ 06:57AM PT
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Speech that incited violence against a minority because of their identity is not only NOT protected under the first amendment, but is clearly ILLEGAL, IMMORAL, and should not be condoned in any sense of the imagination.
People who defend his freedom of speech really should stop and think about what they are saying. It is OKAY to encourage the killing of innocent victims based on prejudice? And this is something they think is protected under the first amendment of the constitution? There is a serious sociopathic disconnect here.
Posted by Chris Congdon on 08/27/2009 @ 11:01AM PT
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Can we get them to drop Jay-Z and any other "CRapper" that promotes violence, drug dealing and sex abuse against women as well. I agree that this guy is as wrong as two left shoes. Now can we stand together against "CRap" music that is destroying young kids lives. Any music that promotes HATE and violence needs to go. There are two women who sing about beating down the other woman their man cheated on them with that needs to be stopped as well. LeToya Luckette goes so far as to dance with a Crystal encrusted baseball bat sing "Swing batta batta, swing mad up at her at her" you can get more violent than that. The other video by Brook Valentine has the woman who was cheated on clocking the girl in the end of the video then Li'L Jon comes over and stomps on her, WTF? We need to stand strong on all violence and sex abuse in ALL SONGS for ALL PEOPLE...Now who is with me to sign my petition..it is in Womens Rights..check it out...LeToya's people want to tell me on Twitter that it is just ENTERTAINMENT again WTF?...It has to stop....
Posted by Sarah Burnside on 09/14/2009 @ 05:21AM PT
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The last time I heard such stupid hate-speech it was from Sen. Larry Craig and Pastor Ted Haggard. One ended up cruising for anonymous sex with men in public toilets, the other did meth and was sexual with gay male prostitutes. It wouldn't surprise me if this mentally-ill, internally-conflicted "artist" indulged in all of those behaviors. Usually bigots have very dirty secrets.
Live Nation remain bottom feeders. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta
Posted by Rev Bookburn on 08/25/2009 @ 04:42PM PT
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I am appalled that people actually listen to this garbage. We all are of the human race, and people that spout their vomit of disgust will one day be silenced by their own loneliness when hate and violence comes back to them through universal justice. You reap what you sow......it will come back to you....eventually.
Posted by Pommawolf Johnson on 08/25/2009 @ 09:48PM PT
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Buju Banton should be banned from ever playing music, I am sure if the lyrics were changed and place his name in it instead I wonder would he run for cover ?
I have already sent this article title and site to many of my GLBT friends and they will put up a petition and soon this man will be banned.
Posted by Lara Nunes on 08/26/2009 @ 02:56AM PT
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I have sent flagged the video and asked friends to flag it hopefully it will get removed.
Posted by Corey Keeling on 08/26/2009 @ 07:37AM PT
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Grearet comments Dave.You have a Brilliant mind and are not afraid to express your opinions.Keep up the Great work and we should boycott him.
Posted by Martin Martinez on 08/26/2009 @ 08:41AM PT
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Thanks Martin.
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/26/2009 @ 09:53AM PT
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I posted this the other day on my blog. But to make matters even worse in 2004 he was accused of being involved in the armed gay bashing of six men
http://www.back2stonewall.com/?p=9490
Posted by Wolf Kohler on 08/27/2009 @ 07:27AM PT
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Good news all! Just received the following e-mail from Live Nation:
LIVE NATION CANCELS BUJU BANTON CONCERTS
LOS ANGELES, CA - August 27, 2009 Live Nation announced today it
has cancelled all previously scheduled concerts by Buju Banton. These
include:
10/01/09 House of Blues Chicago
10/15/09 House of Blues Las Vegas
10/20/09 House of Blues Dallas
10/22/09 House of Blues Houston
Refunds are available at the point of purchase.
# # #
CONTACT:
John Vlautin
310-867-7127
johnvlautin@livenation.com
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/27/2009 @ 04:44PM PT
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Dave I am glad, this is good news, they need to ban him from coming to USA altogather.
Posted by Lara Nunes on 08/27/2009 @ 07:01PM PT
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Awesome, Dave! I hope BB get's the message.
Posted by Dina Yazdani on 08/29/2009 @ 09:06PM PT
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You and me both! I also hope that other artists will also take this as a learning opportunity and realize we are no longer going to stand by and be their punching bags. When someone hits you, you hit back. In this case the hit was in the form of $$$$$, and this time the $$$$ talked and the bullshit (Banton) walked (well, forced to walk.)
Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/30/2009 @ 09:10PM PT
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I love that the open communication has brought people together here. My brothers and sisters are from every walks of life, and the time for hate filled music and other so-called "art" to end is (which is nothing more than an excuse to preach their hate filled garbage)...now is the time to end this madness & boiling pot of vomit. I raised my kids to love all, embrace all and learn from everyone they meet throughout their life. But we also taught them that to remain silent when such garbage comes to the light of day in a crime against humanity, and we can never be quiet, never give up, and we must always be a part the creating change for all living creatures...Never let this muck reach the light of day....demand change for the better for all.
Posted by Pommawolf Johnson on 08/30/2009 @ 11:31PM PT
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I am personally happy that Buju Banton has shown his true self through his lyrics and because of that I can choose not to support him or any of his music venues.
If he did not have the right to free speech and be allowed to put his true thoughts out to the public (through his music), I would have never known that he was a bigot. To not allow this right would have kept his "secret" hidden and made me ignorant to his "honest" and hateful thoughts.
Kind of like putting a sheet and hood over yourself before burning that cross. Let him show his true colors. I am thankful for that, so I can avoid him and his music like the plaque.
Thanks for the post and enlightening me to this shameful human being. I won't forget his name and will make sure my friends boycott his music as well.
I don't care that he wrote it 20 years ago. If he is still performing it, and has not apologized for it, then he has to own it today as well.
Posted by Michele McCowan on 09/08/2009 @ 02:46PM PT
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Songs about killing ANYBODY are extremely inapropriate. Gol, what's wrong with people?
Posted by Caitlyn Nason on 09/12/2009 @ 03:15PM PT
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Well, after reading the first few comment I really have to laugh.
I'm 30 years of age, grew up in Jamaica. Gay Rights are just making an example out of Buju Banton and bringing hate upon this man.
Personaly, I think Buju Banton is the victim here now, I know now that you thinking how the hell did I turn this around and make him the victim.
We should start ask some question and one of them should be, why did a 15 years old wrote such a song? No one born not liking Gays or wanting to kill them.
I remember back in the days around 1992, a group of gays was planing to march and the entire country ready to stone them.
I remember Boom bye bye, the entire county love that song, it was more popular than the national anthem, it was the national anthem.
If a person was known to be gay back in the days, that person will have a better life living in hell than Jamaica.
Probably more than 98% of the country don't like gay and the 2% who like gay probably gay...
Now, my other question is, what do we really expect from the younger generation growing up in such environment everyone they know dont like gay?
If the Gay rights really want change, you have to go to the top, the government of Jamaica and petition for them to past laws against song thats discriminate against gay.
We all picking on Buju Banton on a song he done when he was 15 years of age 20 years ago while song that is 10 times worst is at the number one chart in dancehall in Jamaica right now...These song are so violent and discriminating that if you are Gay, you would want to kill yourself.
Check out one of the number one artist in Jamaica right now..Vybs Kartel.
Vybz Kartel - 'Swear To Jah' - Lee-Milla - (1wk@#1)
Gun them, burn them are just some of the words from his hit song.
I think you guys are wasting time on Buju Banton, its like closing the front door and leaving the back door and windows open, then go to bed.
Posted by Paul messam on 10/13/2009 @ 09:10PM PT
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You are absolutely RIGHT about what you are saying.
Posted by c c on 10/14/2009 @ 04:49AM PT
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* i posted this on another post, but perhaps this one is more relevant
I live in Jamaica. I am straight but my sister is lesbian and quite a few close relatives and friends are LGBT both here and abroad. I don't support homophobia or any other form of bigotry or hatred, and I support intelligent means of changing both laws (Jamaica's are retrograde in this matter) as well as minds.
BUT, I can tell you that the way in which this issue has been approached by groups outside of Jamaica has not helped change things here, in fact, it has made them worse- just ask J-Flag, the local LGBT organisation.
99% of the persons invovled in this fight have zero idea of what conditions are really like for poor people in Jamaica, and the kind of environment that gives rise to homophobia here and to artists like Buju.
When the overseas groups push these people (which has been the majority of cases) as opposed to seeking dialogue, you just make them angrier and more resilient. Frankly, I know Buju personally, he's a bit crazy, but he is also very bright, but he and many others like him are just really pissed off- foreign white people telling him what to do and how to think, as opposed to saying looks lets talk about this.
Like I said, I don't agree with his stance nor excuse it, but it is really easy (and lazy) to be angry about this issue from your flat in the upper Castro, without understanding where Buju etc. are really coming from.
The attitude of Jamaica will never change through confrontation and overseas dictates, I can tell you that absolutely, that is the nature of the Jamaican psyche- it will change, however, through dialogue, example and engagement.
Posted by Lincoln DaCosta on 10/13/2009 @ 09:25PM PT
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say what you like about him, I won't support his music or his cause. If you promoted killing gay people 15 years ago, and haven't in any way attoned for this, then you are still guilty. Period. Just ask Donna Summer.
Posted by Chris Congdon on 10/13/2009 @ 11:58PM PT
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I need some information about starting up my own incest rights group... I think people should be able marry or sleep with they family member if thats what interest them.
Posted by Paul messam on 10/14/2009 @ 05:04AM PT
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In Jamaica, a man getkilled by wearing the pant has no back pocket (Tailor made, European design). Jamaican are more masculine / violent in expressing their religious believes than others; however, the entire region don't view the LGBT rights as a human rights issue. Educated or uneducated makes no difference, BIBLE wins every time.
This is beyond BUJU, period. Please redirect your efforts to the higher ground, such as the Jamaican Tourism Department. Have those major entertainment promoters to add a clause in the contract that prevent the artist from performing the LGBT offensive songs.
I have volunteered in my local PRIDE many times since 80s', as I'm living in one of the large and successful PRIDE city.
I appreciate LGBT community to respect American reggae community, as many of us support the LGBT concerns in America. None of us ever took BUJU's old song or any other songs into the action against the LGBT community or harmed any LGBT members. "I am who I am" is not only applicable or reserved to the LGBT community, but all of us including BUJU.
Retaliating and punishing BUJU will not change anything or gain support, protection and/or advancement for the LGBT community in whole. It is just a self serving temporaly satisfaction of acheivment at the reggae community's expense.
Posted by c c on 10/14/2009 @ 07:32AM PT
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Didn't God murdered a entire city of Gays...
Genesis 19:24-25 (King James Version)
24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
God destroy inhabitants and anything that grew upon the ground...thats some serious homophobia if you ask me.
If the Bible is right, Buju Banton con be consider doing Gods work...It would seems I have more compassion for gays than God because I wouldnt kill a city of people because they Gay.
Gay rights only using Buju Banton as a beating stick...After they done with Buju Banton, they will have to take the fight to God.
Posted by Paul messam on 10/14/2009 @ 08:14AM PT
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Oh dear,
Bible was written to guide us to live better and wiser.
There is no training, accident or personal choice to become LGBT. Therefor, it is natural somewhat.
I think we should be kind to our fellow human since we are not God.
God is for everyone and all religions are here to make human complete and to connect with the universe order/power which most people call God.
Posted by c c on 10/14/2009 @ 09:41AM PT
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@Paul, you DO have the right to incest. As long as the family members you screw are consenting adults, have at it, and more power to you. Stop comparing homosexuality to incest, the two are mutually incommensurable. My husband is over 18 and free and so am I, we are both protected by the constitution, same as you.
@cc oh you can get killed in Jamaica by just being gay can you? well remind me never to go there. Another on my list of boycotted places, like Iran, Somalia, Rwanda. My vacation list is growing ever shorter. In Egypt, they have been killing women for using a device that simulates bleeding so that they can fool their husbands into thinking they were a virgin on their wedding night. Great idea, lets all be like them, instead of helping them to grow and mature like us.
@Paul, no, that's just what your bigotted pastor told you. What I read, and what other not so narrow minded theologians have written about it, God destroyed Sodom not because they were gay, but because they were immoral and inhospitable. There is quite a difference, but you can keep using your phony version of the bible to advance your backward hate mongering causes if you like, I choose to believe in a loving God, something you would know nothing about. Besides, Americans are protected from people who use the bible to further their own political agenda by the first amendment. We will continue to fight god's so called "followers" as long as they insist on abusing his word this way.
Posted by Chris Congdon on 10/14/2009 @ 09:24AM PT
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Chris, unfortunate and very wrong thinghappens. But we can't measure everything happening in abroad in American way. Remember GWB?
Any discrimination on human by other human is wrong and human life is more precious than difference of beliefs among human.
Posted by c c on 10/14/2009 @ 09:37AM PT
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Some people are just bitter on this page...Let me get this out, it is wrong to bring or preach violence on anyone for whatever reason. You could be black, white, gay whatever you are, it is wrong to harm anyone for what or who they are, simple.
Everyone have a life to live and they should live it anyway they wish, long as they are not harming others...
This world is very unfair, what can a person do if he or she came into this world with both sexual organs. If that is possible which it already proven, what a man to do if he born with a female soul or personality or born in the wrong skin.
Should these people with such defect be stoned and kill? I think not because I could be one of them, I could come into this world with sexual and emotional defect.
Posted by Paul messam on 10/14/2009 @ 02:51PM PT
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