Red Stripe Pulls Out Thousands in Sponsorship from Sting and Sumfest 2008 after gay protest

I don't know when the reggae fraternity is going to finally get behind this issue en masse, but it seems that the will is just not there. Meanwhile the gay community is steamrolling all over reggae music to shape and form it into an image they want to own, and it is having an impact on artists. I saw Capelton in Long Beach recently, as one example, the Fyah man, and I'm telling you the man was just a shadow of his former self. I am sure the only reason he was even ALLOWED to perform was because he had already signed that Reggae Compassionate Act. I don't know what he does in shows in Miami or JA or NYC, but I definitely felt the difference. He was just so, I don't know how to describe it really, so silenced. I was like how many time he gon ask for lighters and he aint saying nothing to make that happen. It was kind of painful for me to even watch and just downright sad.

What I don't get is why this silence form the fans. I mean, I kind of get it that the gays are pretty much runnin things at a high high level in places, but, no matter, I still believe in the power of the people. Seriously, if gays are attacking little reggae, why they don't attack Christianity and Islam both of which disavow the homo lifestyle. Or that would be to aim to big for them I guess. But the message in reggae is no different from those. If I could find even 10 people willing to stand firm for the basic right to free speech, even in the face of the gay onslaught, there could be a powerful movement born since to most of those in this music is more than just music; it is life, despite what anyone outside might think or know of it... Unfortunately, as it stands, EVERYONE I have spoken to about this has opted out of the fight.

Maybe it's immigration issues or the fact of gay power in high places or whatever, but Oh well, in that case, all I can say is that based on the San Francisco/Bay Area, as just one of many other examples, where we saw our community wiped out completely and still dead today in terms of live performers, don't be surprised to wake up to find that the artists you most want to enjoy have been banned where you are too, or at least censored down to invisibility. We can't even post flyers when certain artists try to come to town. It's all underground now, and THAT only if they even brave to try and play here. In most cases they just don't bother come. All we get now is Culture, and Sista Carol in regular rotation, but zero new top artists and zero large venues, which Capeleton, for one, used to pack out here. It's one thing to say dem cyaan stop reggae music no matter what and quite another to stand up and make sure that is really the case.

In one sense, I see the music growing internationally but why is it A-OK to bow down to the dictates of somebody outside the community who has elected themselves culture police in order to demand of the artists dem what can and can't be said. Whose music is this anyway? Where did it originate, and to whom does it ultimately belong, the gays? Hard questions, yes, but there are easy answers if we keepin it real....One thing is for sure: when this stuff goes full circle, and it is moving forward faster and faster every time, listening certain reggae songs will not only be illegal but it will be made into a chargeable offense and a one way ticket to jail, mark my words. We ARE living in a police state in case yall haven't noticed.

Anyone even remember Get up, Stand up?

And as for Red Stripe, it might be brewed in JA but don't believe the hype; it's a European OWNED company.(Switzerland, I think, or somewhere like that)..see my previous blog on the perils of not owning our own...Peace Out.

Repost from Street Knowledge Media:

http://streetknowledge.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/red-stripe-pulls-plug-on-reggae-concerts-over-gay-protests/

In a repeat of a trend that reached its heights last year, mounting protest continues to dog the summer concert curcuit for Reggae artists. This time around one of the largest sponsors, Red Stripe is pulling out amidst protests about a rise in violent, homophobic lyrics. Last year gay activist groups mounted successful campaigns to shut down artists like Buju Banton (Mr. Boom Bye Bye) and Bounty Killer (People Dead!!!), who they identified as two of the more vocal advocates of violence against homosexuals. Red Stripe is retracting thousands in sponsorship money for "Sting" and "Reggae Sumfest."