"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
2 Comments:
"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."
No offense, but I think you miss the point with that comment. Gays and lesbians know that not everyone will accept the gay "lifestyle".
And most people could care less if Beenie Man or any of his colleagues don't approve of the "gay lifestyle".
However, what people were against more than anything is Beenie Man and some of his colleagues advocating for hanging and burning (thus murdering) gays and lesbians.
That is the crux of the whole issue. Most gays and lesbians could care less if Beenie Man, his colleagues or anyone else accepts the "gay lifestyle", but don't encourage violence or murder of ANYBODY in your music then expect people to embrace you.
Last, I would venture to say that most people would welcome Beenie Man and his colleagues with open arms in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
i agree with you man...what has happened (it seems) is that HIV/AIDS has been a virus that has been discursively linked to the gay (male) body, particularly. Though we should fight this ideology with force, it seems that the "black gay blogger community" bought into this stereotypical reading of HIV/AIDS as a gay male problem. Beenie Man's lyrics deal specifically with male-to-male homogenital acts and homoeroticism...he doesn't discuss lesbianism and if he does, it appears to be with much less force(from what i gather, i may be wrong here)...
all that to say this: i, like, am not sure how the cancellation of the concert is a "victory" or a "win" for gays. what has been reproduced (wrongly) is the association of HIV/AIDS with the gay male body (once again).
and i TOTALLY agree with the sentiment that one need not be a homo-tolerant person to speak out against HIV/AIDS. and the propensity for changing ideology could have (and generally does) occured through the interaction of ignorant ass folks like Beenie Man with folks fighting HIV/AIDS which is inclusive of both the LGBTQ community, allies and others...
and on an off-the-cuff note, who is to say that LIFEbeat didn't receive threats of violence? from my understanding, keith boykin placed the phone numbers of some of LB's board and included some of their cell phone numbers...when information like this is made available on the net, there's no telling who will have access to and possibly abuse the information. i think his handling of the situation (in this particular case) is unappropriate and irresponsible at best...
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