"Torn"- The LIFEBEAT Reggae Gold 2006 debacle...
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I need some frank discussion on what I should take away from the cancellation of the LIFEBEAT Reggae Gold 2006 concert that was slated for this coming weekend. I applaud all of the activism that went into making sure that the LIFEBEAT organization heard the battle-cry of innumerable SGL men and women across the country. It stands to reason that someone who spews hate and misinformation toward a group of individuals based solely on their sexual persuasion definitely should be called to task on it. I know that Beenie Man (and to a lesser extent a good segment of the reggae artist cognoscenti) has cast aspersions on the gay community with regard to promoting violence towards us- that’s despicable. And to that, I offer a hearty ‘Bravo!!!’
But... then I started to think about what the ramifications of this cancellation COULD be, and it just led me to more questions. When I first heard about the concert, I was put off by the organization’s selection of theme (reggae music, which has been historically anti-gay) and some of the artists (Beenie Man’s “Bad Man Chi Chi Man”- while catchy musically- espouses some of the most hate-filled, violence-oriented and homophobic lyrics I’ve ever heard in music, period.). My first instinct was the ‘WTF???’ reflex. Then I thought about what the larger picture MIGHT be. Could the reason the LIFEBEAT organization chose to do a reggae concert be to open up the dialogue on the issue of homophobia and in a grander scheme of things start Caribbean people to start really talking about the AIDS crisis at large? With what seems like “acceptable” gang-beatings and slayings of gay people specifically in Jamaica but inherent on all of the islands, maybe it is time for someone to start the wheels turning in the Caribbean psyche about the counter-production of homophobia as well as the need for AIDS awareness and activism.
Beenie Man, specifically, has sung (and still does sing on tour) lyrics that are deplorable. To be fair, he has issued a formal apology to those whom his lyrics have caused “stress…and outrage”- whether it is a half-assed apology or not is another issue. However, if someone as obviously IGNORANT as Beenie Man could put his money where is supposed mouth is and do something positive in the fight against AIDS, who are we to tell him he can’t? So what, he doesn’t ACCEPT the gay “lifestyle”. Not everybody does or will. However, not personally accepting homosexuality and taking action against a disease that affects us ALL are mutually exclusive. Take him to task (as has been done) for the hatemongering lyrics and the apparent inability he has to see the humanity in those with whom his lifestyle diverges. Demand RESPECT for our choice to be a part of the gay Diaspora without pandering for an acceptance from those that will in all likelihood never come. However, don’t be blinded by the same hypocrisy that you accuse him of- that being because he doesn’t agree with what you agree with he must therefore be essentially hushed. EDUCATE!!!
The bigger question (for me) is- what is he doing in the fight against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome? What are we ALL doing about it? If AIDS is not- as we all know- a “gay” disease, at what point do we as gay people stop demanding homo-friendliness as the prerequisite for the right to fight for the abolishment of a condition that affects us ALL?
In essence, while this is indeed a victory against homophobia- hands down- is the sum total positive? If the purpose of the concert is to raise money for the war on this plague, why is the community in such an uproar over PHILOSOPHY? With HIV/AIDS funding and charitable concerts dwindling every day, are we shooting ourselves in the foot by hailing the cancellation of the concert a total “victory”-and thus the lost opportunity to gather much-needed funds for the cause? I don’t know. I’m torn in between the two…
I need some frank discussion on what I should take away from the cancellation of the LIFEBEAT Reggae Gold 2006 concert that was slated for this coming weekend. I applaud all of the activism that went into making sure that the LIFEBEAT organization heard the battle-cry of innumerable SGL men and women across the country. It stands to reason that someone who spews hate and misinformation toward a group of individuals based solely on their sexual persuasion definitely should be called to task on it. I know that Beenie Man (and to a lesser extent a good segment of the reggae artist cognoscenti) has cast aspersions on the gay community with regard to promoting violence towards us- that’s despicable. And to that, I offer a hearty ‘Bravo!!!’
But... then I started to think about what the ramifications of this cancellation COULD be, and it just led me to more questions. When I first heard about the concert, I was put off by the organization’s selection of theme (reggae music, which has been historically anti-gay) and some of the artists (Beenie Man’s “Bad Man Chi Chi Man”- while catchy musically- espouses some of the most hate-filled, violence-oriented and homophobic lyrics I’ve ever heard in music, period.). My first instinct was the ‘WTF???’ reflex. Then I thought about what the larger picture MIGHT be. Could the reason the LIFEBEAT organization chose to do a reggae concert be to open up the dialogue on the issue of homophobia and in a grander scheme of things start Caribbean people to start really talking about the AIDS crisis at large? With what seems like “acceptable” gang-beatings and slayings of gay people specifically in Jamaica but inherent on all of the islands, maybe it is time for someone to start the wheels turning in the Caribbean psyche about the counter-production of homophobia as well as the need for AIDS awareness and activism.
Beenie Man, specifically, has sung (and still does sing on tour) lyrics that are deplorable. To be fair, he has issued a formal apology to those whom his lyrics have caused “stress…and outrage”- whether it is a half-assed apology or not is another issue. However, if someone as obviously IGNORANT as Beenie Man could put his money where is supposed mouth is and do something positive in the fight against AIDS, who are we to tell him he can’t? So what, he doesn’t ACCEPT the gay “lifestyle”. Not everybody does or will. However, not personally accepting homosexuality and taking action against a disease that affects us ALL are mutually exclusive. Take him to task (as has been done) for the hatemongering lyrics and the apparent inability he has to see the humanity in those with whom his lifestyle diverges. Demand RESPECT for our choice to be a part of the gay Diaspora without pandering for an acceptance from those that will in all likelihood never come. However, don’t be blinded by the same hypocrisy that you accuse him of- that being because he doesn’t agree with what you agree with he must therefore be essentially hushed. EDUCATE!!!
The bigger question (for me) is- what is he doing in the fight against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome? What are we ALL doing about it? If AIDS is not- as we all know- a “gay” disease, at what point do we as gay people stop demanding homo-friendliness as the prerequisite for the right to fight for the abolishment of a condition that affects us ALL?
In essence, while this is indeed a victory against homophobia- hands down- is the sum total positive? If the purpose of the concert is to raise money for the war on this plague, why is the community in such an uproar over PHILOSOPHY? With HIV/AIDS funding and charitable concerts dwindling every day, are we shooting ourselves in the foot by hailing the cancellation of the concert a total “victory”-and thus the lost opportunity to gather much-needed funds for the cause? I don’t know. I’m torn in between the two…
posted by chad g.- the misanthrope at 6:14 PM
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