Principled or stupid.

[Reggaedoc]

The spate of cancellations of reggae shows over the last few years, due to pressure from the gay-rights lobby, has me wondering if the Jamaican artistes are simply stupid, or extremely principled in their stance against homosexuals. While I am vehemently opposed to the homosexual lifestyle, and their recent onslought on our traditional values, I must admit that I agree with the homosexual movement in mounting pressure on our entertainers to curtail lyrics, and the public expressions of violence against them. It is only natural for any community to respond when they feel that they are being attacked. More importantly, I think, refraining from such lyrics probably will help the industry in general. Just think about it, when I pay to go to a reggae show, I attend with the expectation of hearing the best of each artiste, but what has happened over the last several years is that patrons have to suffer through the first 30 to 60 minutes of each act for the artistes to vent their anger against homosexuals, before they start to give us the real entertainment that I, and I think most patrons, pay their monies for.

If these entertainers want are principled, and not stupid, they should have a more focused antigay campaign. Organize nonviolent antigay marches, show up at gay rights parade with protest signs, find the gay clubs(public or private) in Kingston and St. Andrew and protest with signs etc. That, I am sure, many decent people would support. This would probably not stop the gay rights people from trying to cancel their shows, but it would probably get me, and thousands like me back in the concert halls. Quite frankly, I think our artistes are more stupid than they are principled.

[Islandman]

Its an adjustment period that the music will have to go through.

Up until the last 5 years or so spewing anti-gay lyrics on stage worked well for most dancehall artistes. There was some outcry from the gay groups from the 90s but not an organized, sustained response as we are seeing in the last few years. Some of them have really taken a tremendous hit to thier earning power. That is something they are still figuring out how to deal with.

I expect that eventually most of the Jamaica artistes who plan to have a lengthy career in the business will stay away from the issue, as it simply won't be worth it.

[Muadib]

might even be some homosexuals among dem...

[Reggaedoc]

Would not be surprised. In fact a very good article, by a well respected social commentator on the rhabid antigay mesage of Jamaican entertainers, suggested that it might be a reaction to their own experiences. He suggested that many of the artistes came from extreme circumstances where they may have been sexually abused by others while they were resident in orpanages, or on the street as street kids etc. Some may have even been abused by their own fathers, and the hatred and anger they spew is a reaction, or thinly veiled attempt to cover their own insecurities. I tend to believe that school of thought.. ...and then some a dem a probably some b..ty man themselves. They need to change their lyrics and go back to when reggae music was loved and respected world wide, so I can continue my reggae collection.