Blind Pig show sparks controversy over performer's anti-gay lyrics
The Michigan Daily reports today that tonight's concert at the Blind Pig by reggae singer Buju Banton has generated objections over the singer's anti-gay lyrics.
Following is the press release from Affirmations, which is one of three regional groups sponsoring an alternative concert in Ferndale tonight. A protest is planned outside the Blind Pig tonight.
"Despite cancellations at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit and other major venues across the United States, the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor has booked violently anti-gay dancehall reggae singer Buju Banton for Sept. 30 at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor.
"The Jamaican-born Banton has a long-standing reputation for inciting anti-gay sentiment. His 1992 single “Boom Boom Bye Bye” proposes pouring acid on gay and lesbian people and shooting them in the head with an Uzi, among other things. He was tried and acquitted on charges that he participated in the beatings of six gay men in Jamaica in 2004.
"The Blind Pig was contacted by both Affirmations and the Triangle Foundation. When the possibility of a potential protest was mentioned, representatives at the Blind Pig indicated they were not concerned.
"While Affirmations fully supports artistic expression and free speech, we do not condone speech in any form that promotes violence against LGBT people. If you agree, please make your voice heard. Call the Blind Pig (743.996.8555) and encourage them to rethink hosting this performer.
"As an alternative to an evening of “murder music,” Affirmations, Triangle Foundation, and Transgender Detroit are hosting an evening of supportive and powerful music from the Detroit area’s LGBT community at the Magic Stick Sept. 30. Performers include: Ami Matteson, Andrea Wilson, The Big Pink Black, Chantel & Youth Montage, Cheryl Strebel, Coup Detroit, Jocelyn B “Bitch” of the Blues, Leslie Thompson, Steffie & the Dirty Virgins. More artists are pending confirmation. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.
"If you are unable to attend the LGBT concert in Detroit tomorrow, please speak out in Ann Arbor! If the Banton performance is not cancelled, we encourage you to protest at the Blind Pig, located at 208 S. First Street. Doors open at 8 p.m.
"Affirmations is Metro Detroit’s community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. Open since 1989 and located in Detroit suburb of Ferndale, Affirmations provides a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance, and where they can learn, grow, socialize and have fun. For more information, visit their website at www.GoAffirmations.org."
Comments
toofache32
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 9:33 a.m.
Nanny....your use of the gender-insensitive terminology "man-hours" suggests that you haven't lived in Ann Arbor very long.
bethraw
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:42 p.m.
I think it is great that the protest was peaceful, though many people were booed. I wonder, how might you feel if you were booed for attending a show of an openly bio-sexual performer? Would it be an outrage or would it be the right of the protesters to stereotype you based on your musical choice? Do you remember when Marilyn Manson was dragged through the coals because it was many people beliefs that his music made teenagers kill one another? i have to believe that many of you stood behind him.. To answer the question above, I am offended when African American comics make fun of white people, which is done so frequently and met with such little protest that it is considered funny. just a thought....
NorthsideZak
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 8:05 p.m.
How is hosting a performer like Buju, then using free speech as your defense, any different then hosting the KKK and doing the same? Yes, Blind Pig has the right to have him perform, that does not make it any less repulsive though.
Sarcastic1
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
No freedom of speech in Ann Arbor. Speak out now!!!!!!!!!
bethraw
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 3:11 p.m.
When I was 16 my journal was full of comments of how I hated everyone and wanted them dead..as many of yours porbably did when you were 16. He went alot further..but in the 20 years since that song he has apologized countless times, contributed to and started his own charity. All of this " I heard that he..." is just spreading rumors. Also, Wikipedia is not a relable news source. I could go on there right now and claim facts, to use it as research is not responsible. And the reason the people from the blind pig arent answering their phones is probably because they are on the other line with other people who are calling to complain...the blind pig is a business, the people who run it are profesionals.. and are not going to hide under thier desks because they are afraid of who is calling. I am truly sorry that many of you are upset and you have the right too.. I dont like any songs that talk about women as objects, promote drugs, drinking or unlawful behavior...so I don't go to those shows, I dont support those artists. Is this protest that is planned tonight truly going to be peaceful? Are you going to yell at and demean the people who go to his show to listen to every song other than the ONE he wrote when he was 16? What about the fans who dont know about that song since he doesnt perform it anymore? and it wasnt last year tha he performed the song, it was in 2006, supposedly.
Chuck Warpehoski
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 3:09 p.m.
Unlike ypsicalling, I can't say I "frequent" the Pig, but I go from time to time. Or at least, I used to go. I think it will be a LONG time before I'll be going back.
jeremy
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 3:09 p.m.
I dont care about the lyrics but I do love some reggae, so I will be there hoping that whatever protesters are there will be respectful of the patrons that are paying to see a music act. You have the right to protest, but dont let your right to protest interfere with the dollars of hard-working that are spent to go see the event.
Marvin Face
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 2:02 p.m.
I've never heard of this band before but with all this attention, I'm definitely going to go down to the Pig tonight to check them out just to see what all the fuss is about. Make a hole protesters, comin' through.
grimdaddy1
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 1:16 p.m.
this is turning into a anti blind pig forum
Pete Bigelow
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 1:16 p.m.
To read and comment on AnnArbor.com's comment moderation policy, please go here: http://www.annarbor.com/about/comment-moderation-guidelines-meant-to-cultivate-community-forum/ Let's keep the discussion here on the Blind Pig and Buju Banton's appearance there tonight. Thanks.
Chrysta Cherrie
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 1:15 p.m.
Nanny and other interested posters, you can read up about the moderation policy and comment about it in this entry: http://www.annarbor.com/about/comment-moderation-guidelines-meant-to-cultivate-community-forum/
djm12652
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 12:59 p.m.
If this guy's music does indeed advocate violence against..ANYONE, then let's listen closely to rap music and other genre that promote rape and killing a cop and put an immediate stop to all of that as well...or....just don't buy a ticket and listen to something else...
amlive
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 12:55 p.m.
Okay, Gotcha - answered in the post above. Legitimate attacks on the business ethics were made in prior posts, but no personal attacks. To rephrase in a way that demonstrates the relevance of my comments:Decisions to keep a controversial performer such as this serve quite well to reflect the philosophy and social irresponsibility of the establishment as a whole. To people who have worked with or performed at the Blind Pig, this decision will clearly fit the establishment's character without surprise. The establishment quite regularly demonstrates it's utter lack of respect for any person, band, or community (as is the relevant case here), in order to make and/or save a quick buck. I know they are a business, and businesses have to count their pennies. Things like this however, are but a small demonstration of how far they have discarded any sense of respect for anyone else in order to add a few more dollars to their till count.
notnecessary
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 12:48 p.m.
I agree with AmLive in so much that I'm unclear about the policies of AnnArbor.com. To an extent, I am happy that you do moderate these forums because of the debauchery that many other forums evolve into (this must take a lot of man-hours). However, it would be nice to get a clear set of rules.
amlive
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 12:37 p.m.
Can someone of the staff please explain to me why two of my comments were removed. Honestly. I'm racking my brain, and truly can't figure out where anything I said may have violated moderation policies. I'm not trying to make trouble, but it's hard for me to know what not to post, if I can't figure out what I wasn't supposed to post. I was honestly criticizing their business practices, without foul language, personal attacks, or enticement of any kind. I'll try again. Okay, yes I think they should drop this act, but I think there are plenty of other things about the Blind Pig to complain about and should keep people from patronizing them.
fjord
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 12:03 p.m.
Freemind42 wrote "Just because you don't like his views (which i don't) doesn't mean they can't be said." People incorrectly assume that the First Amendment protects all speech, but this is false. Speech that incites violence or illegal action is not protected. This position was established long ago by the U.S. Supreme Court and has been consistently reaffirmed. I am not familiar with the lyrics in question, but if they do suggest pouring acid on gays and lesbians and shooting them, they are not likely to be subject to First Amendment protections. If Banton merely sings that homosexuality is a sin, there's no problem with that. He crosses the line when he advocates actual violence against gays and lesbians. That's incitement, and if a bunch of his fans came out of a show and beat up someone on the street because he or she was gay, Banton could be prosecuted.
aaman
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 11:39 a.m.
For those of you who wish to express your opinion to the Blind Pig here are a couple of phone numbers from the website: General Number: (734) 996-8555 Booking: Jason Berry jmberry3@comcast.net Phone: 734-623-9962 Fax: 734-372-6148 I tried both voice numbers - neither one answered.
czechmate
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 11:23 a.m.
come on protest all you want but don't think this is any worse them the artist who preformed last night who speaks of killing cops and goverment officals or any of the other preformers who have lyrics that are violent. disagree, carry signs, but don't try and become ann arbor censors. i hope the blind pig continues to bring in acts like him or Immortal Technique. it makes my laugh how much faster libs will censor people then consertives. always trying to tell people what they can watch hear or say.
notnecessary
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 11:18 a.m.
Actually, in response to my last comment - I just realized this was "from the Michigan Daily." Does that mean AnnArbor.com just copies and pastes the article onto their website?As a recent alumnus of U-M, I expect nothing less than biased garbage from the Michigan Daily. I do expect more from AnnArbor.com, though.
notnecessary
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 11:15 a.m.
I agree with Jay on this one that this article is clearly biased. I kept reading waiting to hear the other side of the argument or to learn more about this performer who I've never heard of before and some of the background on his music. Instead, it sounded like alomst a direct copy/paste of the LGBT activist's press releases.
Bill
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:49 a.m.
According to the Wikipedia article linked, Banton later denied signing the Reggae Compassionate Act.
KarenH
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:32 a.m.
mastadon - I'm glad that he signed that, after a LOT of pressure from groups who protested. I'm sure that he finally realized that his bank account was suffering as a result of continuing to promote hatred through a song encouraging violence against gays and lesbians, and finally decided to capitulate to pressure. I am not at all convinced by that action however, given that he performed that particular song just last year. An adult, promoting murder and celebrating hatred in concerts should not be excused because of one simple action like signing a pledge he was forced to sign. I wouldn't forgive David Duke for being a grand wizard of the KKK until and unless he proved his remorse in multiple ways and over a long period of time. I think sometimes we are a bit too quick to forgive and forget.
Jay
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:32 a.m.
@mastadon, thanks for the information. I wish Mr. Needham would've taken more than two seconds to copy and paste this OPINION article and actually add a leveling side of this. To simply re-post an opinion-driven press release promoting this head-hunting is lazy journalism at its finest.
Jay
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:16 a.m.
@1201SouthMain, he was 14 or 15, but yes he did apologize. He's 37 now and people with an agenda will always hold a grudge. SMH.
KarenH
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:16 a.m.
1201SouthMain, he wrote it when he was a teenager (16 I believe, not 12), and then just last year he was filmed performing it at a concert in Miami. Sounds like an empty apology if he was still performing the hateful song last year.
1201SouthMain
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 10:02 a.m.
Didn't he write Boom Bye Bye when he was 12 and later apologized for the lyrics? Seems to me the release of the song wasn't even authorized by Banton.
KarenH
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:56 a.m.
I agree with Chuck. Free speech has consequences, positive and negative, and the best consequences for an artist who encourages murder are that their shows get cancelled, and if they don't get cancelled, that those of us who don't think murder is ok, protest.
Bill
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:54 a.m.
I would like to think Ann Arbor is better than that. I would like to see the protest packed and the club empty tonight. But... Hopefully the protesters don't berate the concert-goers too much. I had never heard of this man before now and, had this been on a Friday or Saturday night, I might have gone without any knowledge of Banton's motivation.
Jay
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:51 a.m.
Why is this article, which is CLEARLY biased toward the LGBT community, only getting one side of the story and even PROMOTING the LGBT's events, in the news section or Ann Arbor dot com?! "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -Voltaire
Hugues
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:43 a.m.
THANK YOU CHUCK! That's the real deal.
Chuck Warpehoski
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:14 a.m.
Freemind, free speech doesn't mean you have a right to get paid for promoting hate and violence. Free speech has it's consequences, and that can include not getting booked for shows if you're talking about killing people because they're gay.
ypsicalling
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:12 a.m.
I'm mulling this over right now and can't help but kind of agree with Freemind42. I'm a gay man and obviously am disgusted by the idea of someone proselytizing violence against folks like me...but I also think the First Amendment is the greatest thing since american cheese. Part of me wants to show up with a sign reading "Not At My Bar" (I frequent the Pig), but I also see some sense in just not going to the show...
annarbor
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 9:06 a.m.
Or, as the article indicates, If you don't like his views, Protest! Both are exercising their rights to free expression. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out this evening.
Freemind42
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 8:37 a.m.
Just because you don't like his views (which i don't) doesn't mean they can't be said. If you don't like the show, don't go.