Reggae stars Beenie Man, Sizzla, and Capleton renounce homophobia, and have signed the Reggae Compassionate Act in a deal brokered with top reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists, deal to stop anti-gay music. All three top reggae/dance hall singers condemned violence against lesbians and gay men.
The agreement follows the three-year-long Stop Murder Music campaign, which resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of the singers’ concerts and sponsorship deals, causing them income losses estimated in excess of five million dollars.
The Reggae Compassionate Act is a big breakthrough,” said Peter Tatchell, of the British gay human rights group OutRage!.
Mr Tatchell is coordinator of the worldwide Stop Murder Music campaign. He helped negotiate the deal with the three singers.
“The singers’ rejection of homophobia and sexism is an important milestone. We rejoice at their new commitment to music without prejudice,” said Mr Tatchell.
“This deal will have a huge, positive impact in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The media coverage will generate public awareness and debate, breaking down ignorance and undermining homophobia.
“Having these major reggae stars renounce homophobia will influence their fans and the wider public to rethink bigoted attitudes. The beneficial effect on young black straight men will be immense,” he said
In the Reggae Compassionate Act the three singers pledge to:
■ “respect and uphold the rights of all individuals to live without fear of hatred and violence due to their religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or gender”;
■ “there’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia”;
■ “we agree to not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community”.
In this declaration the artists promise to not sing lyrics or make public statements, in Jamaica or anywhere else in the world, that incite prejudice, hatred or violence against lesbian and gay people.
The other five murder music artists – Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton – have not signed the Reggae Compassionate Act as of right now.
Justice MH's Final Thoughts: I am really proud that these three reggae artist realize that homophobia, and hate is wrong, and unaccceptable. They have paved the way for other reggae artists to do the same and renounce hate, and homophobia.
4 comments:
I tend to agree that making songs about hate is wrong.
Yet, you have a whole industry full of artists that sing about rape, murder, incest, sex, degrading women, smoking, drinking, weed, crack, and every other damnable thing but no one demand the artists to stop singing about those things do we?
But when it comes to gays, lets stop the world from turning and roll out the red carpet for them.
My thought- if you want to stop one thing, stop it all. I guess if you do that, the hip hop industry will fail.
This just goes to prove my point that gays only think and care about themselves. Pity.
@Captian: Welcome back Captian!
I know you're self-hating, self-denial, and self-loathing, but did
YOU read the whole post???
Yes...it is pitiful that special rules are made *JUST* for gays for their sensitivity about their gay culture.
@Captian: You did NOT read the agreements they made. The act is for all.
YOU are the pitiful one. GROW UP!
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