Global Gaze: On Buju Banton and Boycotts
Usually, when putting together a Global Gaze post, I tend to find a theme and then collect several different examples of the phenomenon from around the world. This week, however, I found myself with a story that touched on many different themes and offered many more questions than answers. So if you, loyal Global Gaze readers, will indulge me this week, I’d like for us to explore some of these issues together.
The event in question is one that links the United States and Jamaica, involves questions of politics and pop culture, and asks activists to look to the past for precedents and to the future for new innovations in terms of methods for combating homophobia around the world.
I’m referring to the much-publicized decision by concert promoters Live Nation and AEG to cancel American concert dates for Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton‘s tour due to protests launched by LGBT activists who have decried the violently homophobic lyrics that are at the heart of many of Banton’s songs. In case there’s any doubt as to his feelings on the matter, here’s a taste of his lyrics:
Anytime Buju Banton comes
Faggots get up and run.
Boom, bye bye
In a faggot’s head
Rude boy don’t promote any nasty (queer) man
They have to die…
Send for the automatic and
The Uzi instead
Shoot them, don’t come if we shoot them…
If a guy comes near me
Then his skin must peel
Burn him up bad like an old tire wheel
Charming. Live Nation and AEG received over 650 complaint emails from readers of the Change.org website, which resulted in the cancellations. Several of his US concert dates were also canceled in 2006 once the groups OutRage! and Stop Murder Music got involved.
While on the surface this story may seem pretty cut-and-dry, it touches many sensitive and complicated issues that affect the international queer community. One of the first that comes to mind is that of censorship. In a previous column, I discussed how many countries have attempted to censor gay topics and issues in the press, the classroom and in popular media, but what about when it happens in the other direction? Should homophobic viewpoints be censored? The matter is complicated, of course, by a number of factors, including whether or not the right to free speech, at least as we understand it in America, protects incitements to violence and whether or not Banton’s music qualifies as such incitements, and how freedom of speech laws themselves vary from country to country and region to region. Still, it’s something to consider as countries continue to become more legally tolerant of their queer citizens.
This event also highlights for a global audience the current situation in Jamaica with regards to homophobia and intolerance in that country. Jamaica is known internationally for fostering a hostile atmosphere for LGBT people and recent events have done little to alleviate this. As I mentioned earlier, the Prime Minister of Jamaica has reaffirmed his commitment to keep gay sex a crime. A recent murder in the country has also garnered international attention and media coverage. John Terry, a 65-year-old British honorary consul, was murdered in his home in Jamaica two weeks ago, and a note left at the scene used a homophobic slur to threaten all all gay men in the country. So, of course, the police have announced they don’t consider the murder to be a hate crime.
With Jamaica’s treatment of LGBT individuals front-and-center, international activists are looking for more ways than just canceling some concerts to send a message to the Jamaican government and society. Specifically, these recent events have revived interest in a movement to basically embargo the country, or, at the very least, boycott some of its leading exports, in the hopes of changing the country’s policies and attitudes. This plan of action, however, has not unexpectedly caused dissention amongst international LGBT rights activists. Former Human Rights Council Spokesman Wayne Besen and activists Jim Burroway and Michael Petrelis have created the website Boycott Jamaica, which advocates for the shunning of the country by the international community until social attitudes on the island towards homosexuality change. Advocates of this approach cite the success of programs such as the academic and sporting boycotts and divestment in South Africa in the past that were aimed at encouraging that country to end its system of apartheid.
Those against such a plan say the strategy does not exclude companies and products that actually fighting against homophobia in Jamaica and that the approach as a whole is just plain not effective. In an open letter, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) has said:
“We find it unfortunate that a campaign has been launched calling for the boycott of two Jamaican products, one marketed by a company that unequivocally distanced itself from the hostility and violence typical of Jamaican music towards members of the LGBT community. In April 2008, Red Stripe took the brave and principled stance to cease sponsorship of music festivals that promoted hate and intolerance, including that against members of the LGBT community. The naming of Red Stripe, therefore, as a target of this boycott is extremely damaging to the cause of LGBT activists in Jamaica… Jamaica’s deeply ingrained antipathy towards homosexuality and homosexuals is a social phenomenon that will not be undone by boycott campaigns or government dictate. It requires the painstaking effort of confronting the society and talking to social actors who can bring change in the way society sees LGBT people.”
Currently, this same debate is being carried out within other communities. In South Florida, for instance, there’s a debate over whether a Cuban musician with ties to the island’s government should be allowed to have a public concert. There are, as in the case of Jamaica, those who liken the situation to South Africa and advocate the cancellation of the show and those who want to let him sing, albeit with the acknowledgment that art is not removed from politics.
So, where do you fall on these issues? Is commercial censorship okay for homophobic artists? What’s should a country’s government’s role be in such a scenario? Do you think boycotting countries that are hostile to their LGBT communities is an effective tool for changing attitudes? Leave you thoughts in the comments below!
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Thanks for such an informing post, Jolly.
As a African American man with Jamaican family ties, I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. I don’t think its right to blacklist a whole country by cutting ties to its exports nor will I believe it will be effective in changing the ideology that not only lies in religion but also black masculinity that has deep roots. But something has to change.
Personally, I would rather see efforts to support the LGBTQ community in Jamaica and their efforts rather than imposing an embargo. Countries rarely respond well to being told how to treat their own citizens, that change has to occur mainly from within.
I am not a fan of the Boycott Jamaican campaign, because I do not think it is very targeted and particularly effective. What makes a boycott effective is the way in which it effects people, and while symbolic I don’t refusing to buy two products helps gay Jamaicans or really connects us to their effort for equality. If anything it hardens the prejudice against homosexuals in Jamaica, because now gay foreigners are trying to punish them.
Rather than cutting off ties to the country what we should do is try to support the efforts of J-FLAG, who is opposed to the boycott because it does not help them.
Also how effective can this honestly be anyway. I don’t think it has been well publicized; and even it is way I doubt many Americans of the heterosexual sort would be terribly moved by it.
On the issue of censorship I am conflicted. I don’t think telling someone that you cannot say something advances the discussion at all, but the rhetoric can be used to justify and perpetuate hate speech. I think a more productive root would be to educate people about what is being said and let them decide from there.
As far as I know hate speech, regardless of who it’s directed at, is not protected by the 1st amendment.
Furthermore I think that a blanket boycott of Jamaican products can and will hurt companies and individuals who are actually on our side of the fight. While boycott’s helped in the South Africa situation, we all know it was not the only thing at play. We have seen more times than not countries and communities react negatively to being told what to do. Education and social change is the key here.
I’m actually curious now to know if hate speech is protected by the 1st amendment. I actually thought it was, but I’m not certain.
I’ll just stay away from Jamaica and things Jamaican for awhile. (Have already put St. Martin on my list). Not wild about organized boycotts, but I know where, and by whom, I am not welcome. Thanks for the post.
In “Boom Bye Bye” Buju Banton says “gays must be killed” and gays should be shot in the head, shot with an Uzi, have acid thrown in their faces and be burned like a tire.
The earliest U.S. copyright for this song is 1993. Since that time, he has not really distanced himself from this song. (He has apologized, then retracted his apology.)
Beenie Man is also scheduled to perform at “Reggae Bash 2009″ in Miami on 10/31/09. Beenie Man calls for lesbians to be hanged to death in his song “Han Up Deh.” In the song “Damn,” Beenie Man dreams of a Jamaica where all gays are executed. Beenie Man has more “kill gays” songs.
Buju Banton and Beenie Man are not the only dancehall artistes who call for LGBT people to be killed and/or tortured. There are at least eight: Dancehall Dossier
Buju Banton doesn’t apologize for “Boom Bye Bye.” Watch YouTube video: What Wrong Have I Done? . This video is also a must: There is no end to the war between me and faggots (listen carefully also for the references to “gaymaica,” “buttocracies,” “Sponge Bob Square Pants,” and “Beavis and Butt-Head.”)
In Jamaica, where sex between two people of the same sex is still against the law, there is tremendous hatred and violence directed at LGBT people. See Time Magazine, “The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?”
For much more information about Buju Banton’s “Rasta Got Hate” Tour 2009, see Rasta Got Hate
Oops!
Here’s a working link for There is no end to the war between me and faggots
(listen carefully also for the references to “gaymaica,” “buttocracies,” “Sponge Bob Square Pants,” and “Beavis and Butt-Head.”)
I know there are those who oppose all boycotts or who think that boycotts don’t work.
I think that sometimes boycotts are appropriate. With Jamaica here, I think that those of us who have studied this a little bit have a responsibility to get the word out about this country.
The fact is that LGBT people in Jamaica are subjected to intense hatred and intense violence. Sex between two men in Jamaica is illegal and carries a 10 year penalty.
The basic human rights of LGBT in Jamaica are being violated. Jamaica is the subject of critical reports from groups like Amnesty International. In fact, Britain has given asylum to some gay men from Jamaica. Here’s an article, one of many: Anti-gay violence defies laid-back image of Jamaica
Jamaica has one of the highest homicide rates in the world The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?
Some articles report that unlike other Caribbean destinations, Jamaica does not even market itself to LGBT people.
I’ve been to the Caribbean myself. The Caribbean is beautiful, the beaches are spectacular. I really like the people and the food and most of the music. (I prefer the non-hateful, non-violent kind of music.)
I spent two years in the Caribbean as a child.
I personally think that even non-LGBT people should think carefully before visiting Jamaica.
For myself, I can’t imagine going to Jamaica until they make some significant changes and until it becomes safer. I probably won’t be buying any Myer’s Rum, either.
I will probably have a Red Stripe beer, if I have a chance.
I’ve tried hard, but I can’t imagine any reason why I would want to give my money to people who want to wipe us off the face of the earth. If that is a boycott, then I’m boycotting.
Why BUJU still come to Hollywood????? He is still talking about “BURN them” someone can not stop him ???????
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