Lifestyles Communities Pavilion (Columbus)
Amy Cooper, Marketing Director
614-461-5483 or amy@promowestlive.com
PromoWest Promotions
Show scheduled for 3 October 2009

Annie’s (Cincinnati)
Pete Georgeton, Owner
513-321-2572 or events@anniesentertainment.com
Show scheduled for 2 October 2009

You are factually mistaken.

Although Banton signed the toothless pledge, Boom Bye Bye has remained his signature song and is reportedly part of every concert.

Having Banton come to my city to get on a stage and encourage the audience to murder me is a “cultural exchange” that I do not think will add value to my life.

It is true that Buju Banton is homophobic, as was Bob Marley, but he also represents, with beauty, the voice of an oppressed and marginalized people. The song that has people so angry is from a much earlier time, in fact before he became a Rasta and spiritually transformed himself.

He has done much to address the past mistakes he voiced in the song “Boom Bye Bye.” He has signed the ‘Reggae Compassionate Act’, a pledge organized by gay rights activists, which included a clause that he will never again perform this song.

It is also true that Jamaica is one of the most religious and homophobic nations in the world, and also one of the most violent. Being raised in this environment has influenced his belief system and music, as it does every person’s.

That said, I do not condone music that promotes any kind of sexual or gender violence. But this is not something that Buju represents whatsoever. The last time that he came to San Francisco I tried to get the Gay activists to open a dialogue with the Caribbean community, without success. I understand the anger that Gay activists are feeling, but as the article says, true dialogue, not inflammatory remarks and long-running boycotts, which have had success (e.g. the Reggae Compassionate Act) is what is needed.

Let this be an opportunity for this. Let’s start a conversation. It is exactly this type of cultural exchange that will bring understanding and help address the horrible conditions in Jamaica – of homophobia, sexism, violence and poverty.