Dear Editor,
I refer to the recent letter by SASOD on Buju Banton. I am a huge Buju Banton fan. I am also a supporter of gay rights and abhor violence. The reality of the situation is that the majority of the people in the Caribbean are not supportive of gay rights. Most see the recent advocacy on behalf of homosexuals as part of a wider cultural imperialism in the region. This view is ironic since we can point to many other negative cultural imports.
Banning Buju Banton from Guyana is not the answer. Incidentally, I have not seen calls for the banning of evangelicals to Guyana who are largely anti-gay. Buju is more diverse than that one homophobic song or hit. The fact that it became a hit is an illustration of the prevailing view in the region. Buju has addressed single-parent families, religion, pan africanism and crime and the spread of HIV/AIDS among other topics. His song about deportees, which was also a hit, almost cost him his life.
I remember in 1996 Buju visited the University of Guyana and specifically promoted the use of condoms. Many rastafari students at UG were aghast at his stance. One fellow rastafari student got up and challenged his position since it was against their belief. Buju’s response was that a true rasta is faithful to one woman and hence did not need to use condoms. He further stated that for those who cannot be faithful then this was the only logical way to prevent the spread of STDs.
Buju should be told that he cannot perform the homophobic song in Guyana. I am not sure if he still does. However, he has a right to his beliefs and to take a personal and artistic stance on an issue. He should not therefore be asked to support something that is against his religious beliefs.
Finally, when I lived in New Jersey I found my source of information on dance-hall musicians and music was the Village Voice. The Village Voice is probably the most vocal periodical on gay rights and experiences. They were often advertisements for reggae and dance-hall artistes’ album release and signing right next to those for gay bars.
Yours faithfully,
(name and address supplied)