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Several local LGBT groups including Equality Ohio and Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio have started a campaign to push for the cancellation of the upcoming Buju Banton show scheduled to take place at The LC on October 3rd. Messages from these groups have been re-posted on Facebook earlier today and are denouncing the reggae musician as homophobic for song lyrics that call for the murder of homosexuals. Some of the lyrics were also posted here on The Buckeye State Blog.
Update: 9/11/09 6:30PM – The show has been canceled.
Several venues in other cities have already canceled tour dates for Buju Banton, citing similar outcries from other LGBT groups and activists. Those canceled cities include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Dallas and Houston.
Below is some additional information about the musician from a recent article in On Top Magazine:
In his native Jamaica, where being gay is punishable by 10 years in prison, anti-gay violence is rife and typically tolerated by the authorities. In 2004, Banton was tried and acquitted on charges that he participated in the beating of six gay men.
Both Equality Ohio and Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio are encouraging people to politely call or email Amy Cooper, The Marketing Director at PromoWest Promotions at 614-461-5483 or amy@promowestlive.com to expression their opinions on this scheduled event.
10sun, just pointing out my last post again. Banton denied he ever signed any Reggae Compassionate Act.
Meanwhile, in todays news, British honorary consul, John Terry, was murdered in Jamaica with a note on his body saying “This is what will happen to ALL gays”.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6829343.ece
OMG the tiny island of Jamaica is going to take out the world’s entire gay population! RUN!!!
I’m not saying it is wrong to protest him. Just as a gay dude who’s been called names plenty of times, I choose to ignore people like him. Not worth the angst.
I’m glad you find murder funny, Snarf.
he does have free speech rights, but so do you, if you don’t like it picket the LC and Promo West, tell them you will never go to a show there if they continue to insult your community and friends.
I do not think its right to hate but People cannot ignore the freedom of speech.
If you do not like it, do not listen. He recorded that song over 10 years ago. Some people change some do not. Maybe he did
I like how people are calling to protest and not patronize lifestyles I hope it is effective. However as soon as someone’s favorite band comes their … Some are going to forget all about their vow to never go their.
It’s obvious that no one here has listened to any of Buju Banton’s music. Since 1995, he has written songs in a completely different vein. There is no message of hate in his songs, he does not perform the offensive song (written as a 15 year old) and he does not promote violence towards anyone-period. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the evidence before you form your lynch mob.
Does he still perform that song? If I was judged by every stupid thing I did at 15, I’d be in a helluva mess right now.
I think those weird ICP Juggalo people are offensive. Can we boycott the Newport the next time they come to town?
Great post, fibonacci.
All these GLBT’s getting their 2(x)ist’s is a bunch over nothing.
Snarf, Its obvious you’re just as homophobic. But I prefer to stick with Hanes Boxer briefs since you, like most heterosexuals, seem to be in-the-know on gay underwear.
And fibonacci, you said “he does not promote violence towards anyone-period”.
Do your OWN self a favor and read the facts. Or is 2004 too long ago for anyone to care too?
“In June 2004, Banton and a gang of men broke into a house of near Banton’s Kingston recording studio and viciously beat six men he claimed were gay. After complaints from international human-rights groups, Banton was finally charged, but a Jamaican judge eventually dismissed the case for lack of evidence.”
JoshOSU75 we, as a nation, espouse a philosophy that states that people are innocent until proven guilty. I hope he’s innocent and I wouldn’t defend him if he had been convicted of these beatings. The point is, people make it out to seem like he is a neverending fountain of offensive hateful songs, but if you listen to his music, there is no message of violence or hate, but quite the opposite. Same with his concerts. I can’t and don’t defend “Boom Bye Bye”, but people have the capacity to change.
IF he’s changed, I hope he’s no longer performing that song like he did at Memorial Fest 2006 in Miami Florida.
Traci MacGregor, a spokeswoman for Banton said the singer is being unfairly criticised, adding that the 45 seconds of footage on youtube.com does not show the commentary afterwards in which the artist talks about his life as protest target.
“Juicy stuff … but alas, context is everything,” she said. “Buju has not actually performed ‘Boom Bye Bye’ in years. He has, however, railed off the first couple of lines of the song as a springboard to discuss with fans the ongoing troubles he’s been faced with. It’s a pity the camera didn’t catch all that in Miami”
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-2642.html
I’m not homophobic, I have lots of gay friends – and I’d say what I’m saying here to them in person. What a ridiculous waste of time this “protest” is, period.
Also to an earlier poster who said something about karma and he can’t wait the ultimate irony of my being discriminated against..guess what? I live in a predominately black neighborhood and that shit happens all the time. Guess what else? I buck up and get the fuck over it! Some of you might try it sometime.
I totally predicted that line, “I’m not homophobic, I have lots of gay friends”. I just wish I would have posted my prediction before you actually wrote it.
I think the poster who mentioned karma was actually talking about Banton being discriminated against, not you.
But you missed my main point, catchy. BUCK UP, you want to play swordfights with all yours dudes…it’s cool, no one cares, especially not people wanting to see a reggae show.
C’mon people. Let’s keep this conversation civil. No need to attack each other. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion here.
Read it again snarf. I didn’t say anything about “can’t wait” till you are discriminated against. I was alluding to the fact that HE will face the same shit he dishes out, and it is ironic because it will be based on something which he has no control of, just as the rest of us who have no control over sexuality.
True, I’ve never come face-to-face with the bearded clam, nor do I care to. But if you don’t care if I have a sword fight from time to time, then you also shouldn’t care that I don’t want Banton performing in our usually gay-friendly city.
Buju has played here at least 4 to 5 times, yet Columbus somehow remains gay friendly.