Despite protest and controversy, the Buju show went on at the Blind Pig without incident
When Detroit's Majestic Theater canceled Buju Banton's Sept. 30 show, Jason Berry, booking manager at the Blind Pig, jumped at the opportunity to bring the popular reggae act to Ann Arbor.
"I e-mailed his people at The Agency Group in New York and said, 'Holla at your boy,'" he joked. Berry figured the owner of the Majestic just got cold feet, which he says is common among promoters unfamiliar with reggae crowds.
Little did Berry know how controversial his decision would be. When news went out about the performance, the Blind Pig was deluged with phone calls from the Ann Arbor community complaining they were hosting an anti-gay act.
And tonight, dozens of gay supporters turned out to protest Buju's performance. But despite the protesters - and even a personal appeal from the mayor - the show went on. Other than the protesting, however, there were no incidents, Ann Arbor Police said.
But don't say Berry wasn't warned.
When Banton's manager asked Berry if the Blind Pig could handle the heat from the booking, Berry thought he was referring to Jeff Daniels, who might get upset that his son Ben's concert would be bumped in favor of Banton's.
Ben Daniels had been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, but one never knows how a parent will react. "I thought he was going to rain down the wrath of Hollywood," Berry said.
The heat came instead from the local gay community, angered that the Blind Pig would bring what it labeled a homophobic act to town. Between the 300 to 400 phone calls from the Ann Arbor community to the 70 protesters outside the show, Berry said the response to Banton's appearance was "unprecedented," even for a venue that doesn't shy away from controversy.
"I was shocked," he said. "Ann Arbor's a pretty tolerant place."
Exhibit A in the gay community's case against Buju Banton is a song he recorded in 1988 titled "Boom Bye Bye." The song, members and supporters of the gay community say, advocates lethal violence against homosexual men. Exhibit B is Banton's alleged involvement in a 2004 attack on six homosexual men in Kingston, Jamaica.
Even though Banton's camp insists he doesn't harbor anti-gay beliefs, he doesn't perform "Boom Bye Bye" anymore and he was acquitted in the 2004 incident, protestors were united in the view that Banton hadn't shown proper contrition.
"If this guy has changed, how come no one seems to know about it?" said Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, who came to mediate talks between protest leaders and Blind Pig management.
Hieftje said if it were up to him, the Blind Pig would have cancelled the show.Â
"There is no part of Ann Arbor that supports what those lyrics represent," he said. "I've been coming to the Blind Pig since 1972, but they have to know that this kind of thing isn't for Ann Arbor. I've been trying to tell them that."Â
By 9 p.m., doors had been open for an hour and the show was still on, despite Berry's public admission that the venue probably wouldn't break even on the concert.
Hieftje wasn't the only one unable to sway the Blind Pig from changing its plans. Gay community ally Ethan Milner said he tried to broker a deal with the Blind Pig to cancel Banton's show and put on three local acts in Banton's place, with the proceeds going to the Blind Pig to cover its losses.
That's what the gay community did in Detroit when the Majestic cancelled the Banton concert originally scheduled for tonight. To make up for the Majestic's loss, the Triangle Foundation, Transgender Detroit, and the Affirmations community center in Ferndale put together a show full of local acts to take its place.
"(Blind Pig management) said that they'd call back if they cancelled the show," Milner said. "Obviously, we never heard back."
At about 8:45 p.m., Berry came out to address some of the protesters' concerns. He argued that some homophobia comes with the territory in reggae music.Â
"We've had far more offensive acts than Buju at the Pig," he said, citing reggae acts Sizzla and Anthony B.
"Maybe we should've been protesting you then," one of the protesters shouted.
Protestors were divided about what to make of the Blind Pig going forward - whether protesting the Banton concert was enough or if the show should be taken as proof that the Blind Pig is unworthy of the support of the local gay and lesbian community.
Hieftje credited the protestors for being peaceful, staying out of traffic, and allowing people to enter the venue, more or less without hassle. A minimal police presence was on hand. Supportive motorists honked as they drove by.
But Banton's fans, who were booed upon entering the Blind Pig, said the artist was misunderstood.
Fyl Hackworth and Julie Kissinger came all the way from Ft. Wayne, Ind., to see Banton in action. They joined James and Rachel Carroll from Dearborn Heights. They were surprised to be booed for coming to enjoy some reggae on a Wednesday night.
"I was trying to tell them that I love gay people," Kissinger said. "But they were more interested in booing than listening."
"If (the protesters) went inside and saw him perform, they'd be a part of the happiest, most uplifting, positive experience," Hackworth said.
Protesters insisted Banton needed to issue a retraction and distance himself from past homophobic remarks, but Hackworth didn't agree.
"I don't think so. You're talking about one song out of hundreds, something he made 20 years ago, when he was only 15. It's being blown out of proportion,"Â Hackworth said.
Pointing back at the protestors, James Carroll said: "Those people don't even know what they're missing."
James David Dickson reports on human interest stories for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com, or on Twitter at twitter.com/JamesDDickson.
Comments
onelove
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 4:52 a.m.
From One Love: To all that agree or disagree, we could break this down to the very fine barest of thread, we all have our opinions. We are all discriminated against in some way or fashion. Is this a racial discussion or that of sexual orientation or both? To Mr. Gutterman, "Merely a culture difference?" "OH PLEASE!!" And don't even go there about the KKK!! What do you know about this?! Now, are going to call the Mayor because someone disagrees with you?? OH PLEASE!! So you're going to "big up" the Mayor on this one?! OH PLEASE!! I hope your Mayor is standing outside showing his support on "all" issues, it's only fair-Right? I am not boo-ing, waiving a sign, yelling at the customers who frequented the blind pig that night. Really, you love who you love, I love who I love. And I am in my "yard" loving my beautiful Jamaican husband, my children, and we are eating Jamaican food, listening and singing Jamaican music. Remind yourself to be a little more respectful!! ANA RESPECT-ONE LOVE
Inspector 57
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 : 1:28 a.m.
"It's a sad day when the mayor of Ann Arbor supports censorship." "Trying to silence an artist by denying him a venue is censorship." Durandal, your comments are, quite simply, factually incorrect. "Censorship" means that the government steps in to prohibit an expression. When the Mayor of Ann Arbor said that he disapproved of the booking of this act -- but took NO official action to prevent the booking from occuring -- there was certainly no "censorship." There was not even "support" of censorship. And when the public exudes pressure to prevent the commercial support of an artist, that action is -- by definition -- NOT censorship. The public can't censor anyone. Citizens are free to patronize or not patronize, to protest, to urge others to support their positions. None of that constitutes "censorship."
Inspector 57
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 : 12:52 a.m.
"Shame on you Inspector 57. How can you honestly say that the blind big consistently violates against gay rights?[...] Did you read the article? Jason Berry stated that they did not intend to make a profit that night... in other words, they LOST money on the act.[...] Your comment was an unfortunate example of people talking out of anger rather than fact." Bethraw, you're reacting to comments that were never made. I didn't write that the Pig is "consistently" anti-gay. I wrote that it "consciously" threw gays under the bus last night. And Jason Berry was never quoted as saying that the Pig didn't INTEND to make a profit by booking Banton. He was quoted, one hour after the show started, as saying that they were losing money on the show. I'm thinking that you may be reacting out of anger rather than fact.
Bonsai
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 6:35 p.m.
durandal - hey good point.
durandal
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 6:32 p.m.
I don't buy the "shouting fire in a crowded theater" argument. Speech must present a clear and present danger to life and limb in order to be banned. Is anyone seriously suggesting that Buju was trying to incite the murder of homosexuals during his performance? That the creation of a violent mob of homosexual-haters would be the inevitable consequence of his songs? The reason why the clear and present danger threshold must be met in order to ban something is because freedom of speech is so very precious. The protesters have the right to protest his songs. Frankly if protesters had just limited their protest to challenging homophobic lyrics, I would support them. But they crossed a line by demanding that the Blind Pig cancel his show. Trying to silence an artist by denying him a venue is censorship. And I have tremendous respect for the owners of the Blind Pig for refusing to cave to such demands. That shows real integrity.
Bonsai
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 6:06 p.m.
durandal - it's not that simple. you can't yell fire in a crowded theater - at some point speech becomes too dangerous to allow - that's why it's a crime to threaten to kill the president, for example.
durandal
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 5:45 p.m.
It's a sad day when the mayor of Ann Arbor supports censorship.
bethraw
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 2:35 p.m.
It is a known fact that Jamaica is incredibly one sided in terms of its views on gay marriage. It is sad, but is it a surprise that someone who was born and raised learning that mentality still carries it today? Very similar to a child that is raised in a cult or an abusive home...the pattern tends to repeat itself. For the record, the blind pig has dozens of postures featuring blues artists framed and hung. It is scary how quickly rumors become fact. If nothing else this has taught me a lesson that when people are passionate they tend to make any bit of information fit the fight...from the pig continually alienates gay people to they have no pictures of African American artists...if I hadnt been there myself I would think the Blind Pig was a raciest/sexist/ money grubbing establishment...lucky for me I have been there enough to know the difference truth and rumor.
Mary Catherine Smith
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 2:20 p.m.
I found it rather specious that Jason Berry "figured the owner of the Majestic just got cold feet, which (he says) is common among promoters unfamiliar with reggae crowds." Jason has been in the business a long time and knows darn well that Dave Zainea has produced many, many reggae shows at the Majestic over the years and that he knows his audience. Dave did the right thing. Too bad the Pig management didn't.
Steve Gutterman
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:59 p.m.
Thank you everyone who came out to protest the Blind Pig last night. Thank you Mayor Hiefjte for not only coming out to show your support, but for attempting to intervene and persuade the Blind Pig management to do the right thing and cancel Buju Banton's show. BTL Jan Stevenson, thank you for all of the citations and links. Especially enlightening is the footage of the RECENT concert in which BB rants against gays, shouting "there's no end to the war between me and faggots" to an approving crowd, apparently swept up by his message of love. So to Buju Banton's apologists, including Blind Pig booking manager Jason Berry, BB's vicious hatred of gays (not mere homophobia), is clearly real and present in Banton today and cannot be excused as a youthful indiscretion. Some of BB's defenders have also mis-characterized protests of BB's right to perform as a free speech issue. This is exactly wrong. No government authority was preventing Banton from performing last night, nor was the Blind Pig prevented from choosing to host him. The First Amendment protects Banton's right to spew whatever vile hatred he chooses, so long as he does not use it to directly incite anyone to violence. Equally, citizens of conscience are free to gather, protest, and put economic pressure on venues that willingly offer a stage to hate-spewing performers like Banton (whether he spewed hatred at last night's performance or any other particular performance or not is irrelevant to whether or not he publicly spews such hatred at any venue, which he does) and to support venues which choose not to tolerate such hatred, such as the Majestic Theater in Detroit and venues in Santa Clara, CA, Richmond, VA, Orlando, Tampa, Cincinnati, Columbus and Minneapolis, all of which have canceled shows on Banton's current tour. Finally, Berry attempted to excuse Banton's homo-hatred as merely a cultural difference. By that logic, white supremacist hatred and intolerance of, and advocacy of violence against, blacks, Jews, Muslims, Catholics and any other group they think don't belong in their America is nothing more than a cultural difference. One love. Really?
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:52 p.m.
Uhm Bob Marley was baptized by that church at the age of 35, a year before he died. i think at the age of 35 he knew what he was he doing. in comaprison, it sounds like you were probably baptized before you could even crawl. i find interesting that know what someone's beliefs were nearly 30 years after they died and they most likely never had a one on one converstaion with him about this topic either.I truly love love how presumptious people are on this topic. Also, I never said Bob Marley advocated violence against anyone. Another thing worth noting is that lot of Marley's lyrics aren't of his own making too. redemption Song is a classic example of that. Peter Tosh was much more Ire than Bob.
sottovoce
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:36 p.m.
So the bar lost money on $25 tickets??? How much did the "talent" and the booker get paid? Sounds like the bar owner (I don't know the person, but he/she probably doesn't hate gay people) got shafted too. Also, a local radio station plays Dancehall Reggae every week. I'm sure the DJ spins some of his albums. Are people going to protest that radio station? Maybe a local record store sells some of his vinyl...another boycott? There's no way to defend hate speech, but wasn't this show more about money and entertainment and less about scarring people's faces with acid before shooting them?
KarenH
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 12:12 p.m.
Bob Marley never advocated for violence and death against gay people. The use of Marley songs in protest of Banton was ironically appropriate specifically BECAUSE of his background. Insinuating that since the church that baptized Marley is against gay marriage he must be and therefore it's ridiculous that his songs were used, is as far-fetched and ludicrous as saying that I, as a gay woman, am against gay marriage because of the church that baptized me. Even IF Marley were against gay marriage, that has NOTHING to do with advocating violence against gay people. There are many people who are prejudiced against us who wouldn't want to kill us. Unfortunately, there are some, like Buju, who do.
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 11:47 a.m.
As for bob marley, this is pretty interesting. Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. Bob Marley became a leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene. Marley was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica, on November 4, 1980 The church understands marriage only as the union of one man and one woman, and certain Eastern Orthodox leaders have spoken out strongly in opposition to the civil institution of Same-Sex Marriage.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 11:44 a.m.
Good grief, the Blind Pig would put your grandmother's autopsy on a stage and charge an admission if they could get away with it. Don't forget why they originally took down the pictures of the old blues legends who played the club in the 1970s either. I doubt if they 'lost money' and the repulsive Mr. Banton is a fascist little hate filled thug and should be condemned. But the mayor should know better than to try to use his office to stop free speech, as hateful and repulsive as it is. Thank Jah I wasn't there to hear city officials singing Bob Marley songs.
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 11:35 a.m.
Interesting that people know Bob Marley's position on homosexuality, another Rastafarian. Hasn't he been dead since 1981?
Jessica Webster
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 11:15 a.m.
I was among the crowd standing outside the Blind Pig last night with the mayor, the UU pastors, the city council member, the business owners... This wasn't an angry, faceless mob. It was members of the community singing Bob Marley songs and supporting their gay and lesbian brethren. When patrons arrived, they were greeted with shouts of protest, but they weren't shouts of hate. People yelled things like: "Buju Banton advocates the murder of gay people! Are you sure you want to support that?" To answer a question above, I have listened to and enjoyed Buju Banton and other dancehall artists over the years, without realizing that his lyrics were so incendiary. From my perspective, the protest last night was meant to educate people who, like me, might have been unaware of his violent lyrics.
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 11:07 a.m.
Its his religous/moral beliefs going back to King David, who the Rastafarians look to for their spiritual guidance. Dr. Dre, Ice Cube Easy E and the rest of NWA were advocating shooting police in their songs, which is a Federal Felony by the way. This, religous beliefs and freedom of speech, is all covered by the first Amendment. Get on with your lives people. We have a state governemnt that can't even pass a budget by a dead line and the article on that gets like 3 comments. People really have some skewed priorities.
BTL Jan Stevenson
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 10:52 a.m.
Don't be fooled into thinking this is some "artist" merely expressing himself, and the misguided gays are over-reacting. Buju Banton has a long and sordid history of anti-gay music, activity and speech. He's entitled to free speech, but so are we. Buju Banton is to LGBT people what David Duke is to African Americans. The KKK has free speech too, but that doesn't mean we can stand by silently and listen to calls for our deaths. Actually Buju Banton is still performing "Boom Bye Bye," as recently as 2007 in Guyana and perhaps even more recently. He signed the Reggae Compassionate Act and then denied that he has done so http://www.petertatchell.net/popmusic/reggaecompa... You can hear Buju say "There is no end to the war between me and faggots" on this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PASiOjdP4 "BUJU BANTON FIRE BURN BATTY." Buju Banton makes no apologies for his calls for genocide against lesbians and gays. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ8Z0biU_Zw "Elephant Man Buju Banton Shabba Ranks boom bye bye" Buju Banton has definitely not "moved on." His current tour is known as the "Rasta Got Hate Tour." http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/ Buju is alleged to have done more than just sing and rant against homosexuality. Interesting information from Time Magazine http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,118... "The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?"
Dakotawoman1
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 10:21 a.m.
Nicely put braggslaw...I agree!
braggslaw
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 8:58 a.m.
The first amendment worked. People protested and the artist performed. Noone was hurt and people expressed themselves. God bless America
Bonsai
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 8:54 a.m.
onelove: During slavery and Jim Crow, were simple "cultural differences" responsible for the view that black people were inferior? Should we forgive the clearly erroneous view that homosexuality is a "choice" and "unnatural" using that excuse? I say no.
bethraw
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 8:04 a.m.
Shame on you Inspector 57. How can you honestly say that the blind big consistently violates against gay rights? Have you been to the blind pig? I have to been to countless shows with all sorts of different sexually orientated artists who are open about their stance. Furthermore, in 2 weeks they are featuring a group known for cross dressing. Since the blind pig "consistently" throws their local gay clientele "under the bus, can you state 3 times in the past year this has happened? Did you read the article? Jason Berry stated that they did not intend to make a profit that night... in other words, they LOST money on the act. It is not the Blind Pigs job to act as the police or read every lyric to every song to make sure it is not offend any group of people. As a grass roots music venue they do have a duty to give artists a place to show case their songs...something they do on a nightly basis regardless of race, religion, or personal values. I spoke with people who attended the show last night. There was no mention of hate nor did the artist sing his one hate filled song (again written at age 16, which he has no rights to, meaning no control over, nor does he make any money from it). Your comment was an unfortunate example of people talking out of anger rather than fact.
antikvetch
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 7:37 a.m.
Can someone please tell the mayor he doesn't need to express an opinion on EVERYTHING?
11GOBLUE11
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 7:36 a.m.
Julie - You can hate them all you want, but they still have a right to their views (it's the action that concerns you, and you're right that that's not okay). I disagree with what that song stands for, but what is happening here is exactly what is supposed to happen. One side is being given the right to portray their veiws, and opposing groups are being given the right to vehemently oppose them through protest and boycott. The founding fathers love it when a plan comes together.
pseudo
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 7:18 a.m.
I'm all for people having their own views and being able to say them. Thats fine and I think its protected by our constitution with the limits of the court decisions since. The Blind Pig gave this guy a microphone, money and their credibility in a town that won't have it. The decision was a poor one. The reporting was worse and should be followed up with a few more questions like: is he still promoting violence against gays (yes). Did he sign that agreement and yet wink and nod and continue to promote violence against gays (yes)- there is more to this than the surface and Ann Arbor.com could have done better. The Blind Pig played the real blind pig game, I'll not be giving them any more of my money for them to use in promoting singers like this.
Julie
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 7:16 a.m.
Ummmm.... folks? Everyone is allowed their own "view," EXCEPT when that view advocates violence and MURDER of a whole group of people! Jeesh.
jeremy
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 6:30 a.m.
The hypocrisy of the protesters was funny last night. They are against people that hate gays yet the hate that was coming out of some of the mouths as my girlfriend and i were going into the concert was ridiculous. Dont protest hate with hate.....And onelove has a great point....everyone is allowed their own view. Some cultures view homosexuality as immoral, thats not for me to decide as I could care less what other people do. However, I dont think the manner in which some of your protesters acted and spoke last night did any good in changing peoples minds. So i guess when the next gay/lesbian/transsexual parade takes place those same protesters should expect the same treatment that they gave last night to people who werent there to support gay bashing, but there for love of the music..
ypsicalling
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 3:03 a.m.
For someone so hateful you choose an interesting name "onelove"; your ignorance is laughable.
onelove
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 2:26 a.m.
I am a Hispanic married to a Jamaican for 10 years. I lived in Ann Arbor most of my live. One of my favorite things about Ann Arbor is the diversity of one's life and beliefs. I love hardcore Jamaican music, the sweet melodies of jamaicans love & harships, the food, my family, the whole of it. One must know of anothers culture before voicing your view. Lesbians and Gays-have your "view," why can't another who does not believe in homosexuality have their "view?" When you have a protest, does it not anger or hurt you to no avail that people bash you, yell at you, BOO YOU for your choice as a gay/lesbian? Who are you to say what's right over another? Perhaps your "view" should remain in your own yard. Jamaican culture is of the belief of man and woman. Homosexuality is sodomite, unnatural. Their thoughts and views of racism, discrimination (amongst their own) let alone from the outside world, slavery, starvation, the poor, government extortion, violence and oppression, so eagerly expressed within their music, as with many cultures. We all have our "view" of what should be, but if you have a "view" so do others!! If we had been in town, we would have been at the Blind Pig, enjoying Buju Banton!! And by the way, I believe in love, marriage and family-amongst man and woman. Respect!!
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 2:25 a.m.
I don't know if they would have jumped in. I don't know the manager personally. If Banton sang it, and they didn't shut him down, it would change my opinion toward the Blind Pig. In general, artistic freedom is a good thing? No? You guys are treading the line between hate and freedom yourselves.
Inspector 57
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:48 a.m.
Macabre Sunset, promoting a "crappy" musical artist is qualitatively different than promoting an artist that actively encourages murder. You're smart enough to understand that difference. So you'd let the Blind Pig off the hook if Banton didn't sign that song tonight, eh? Nevermind that Banton has never recanted his anti-gay-violence point of view. Nevermind that he continues to perform the song. (And please don't argue that the Pig would have jumped in to unplug him if he started signing it there. They're already taking an "artistic freedom" position on this.) Nevermind that there's at least credible evidence that the singer/man himself was involved with anti-gay beatings. It's not about whether or not he performed "Boom Boom Bye" tonight. It's about the fact that the Blind Pig decided to make money by giving him that chance.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:22 a.m.
Reading the lyrics of the song in question, yeah, it promotes hate. Disgusting. I wouldn't go to see the man perform if you paid me. Two questions: Did he perform a hateful song at the Blind Pig? If so, even though the speech is protected, I sympathize with those who protest peacefully. Are purveyors of hate welcome to perform in Ann Arbor if they don't repeat the hateful speech? When I was a student, we had that Nation of Islam guy who had called for the death of all Jews. He was paid out of University funds to speak. Yet I wouldn't call for the end of whatever program that was just because it invited a racist to speak. That would be bullying. I'm not convinced by a political group like Amnesty International. The man was acquitted. Maybe he shouldn't have been - judicial systems suck everywhere. But AI is known for its biases. I would trust an AI report no more than I'd trust Banton himself. I do think it's bullying to threaten a permanent protest against the Blind Pig over this issue. Unless Banton promoted hate during his performance, and the Blind Pig management did nothing. The Blind Pig is entitled to book crappy music acts, and it seems they have done so tonight.
Jerome
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:05 a.m.
I know you'll never see me at the Blind Pig again, nor will I ever support any other business venture even remotely affiliated with the Blind Pig's current management or owners. Hopefully others will do the same.
Inspector 57
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 1:05 a.m.
That's not what's happening. People aren't getting up into each other's grills here for not using proper pronouns or something. They're making a peaceful statement that it's not cool to advocate torturing, maiming, and killing other people just because they're gay. But, of course, you're free to disagree with that radical PC belief.
Inspector 57
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 12:56 a.m.
It's a shame that anyone would read this article and come away with the feeling that the Blind Pig is the victim here. If the AnnArbor.com writer would have done any real investigative reporting, he would have included in the article at least two additional and easily obtainable facts. The first is that while Banton signed, a few years ago, an agreement to discontinue singing songs that promote violence against gays, video documentation shows that he continues to perform "Boom Bye Bye," which advocates pouring acid on gays and shooting them with Uzis. This is NOT "just some song" he wrote when he was 15. It's a song he continues to perform. The second fact that might have been included here is that Amnesty International confirms that Banton was involved in the brutal beatings of gay men as recently as 2004. The Blind Pig was not unfairly picketed, and it certainly was not "bullied." The Blind Pig -- in an effort to make money for itself -- chose to book an act that it knew promoted anti-gay violence. It consciously tossed its gay patrons, other local gays, and gays in general under the bus in order to make a profit. The owners and bookers of the Blind Pig need to own up to that decision. And they shouldn't be martyrized for choosing greed over decency.
bunnyabbot
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 12:48 a.m.
ditto to Mac Sunset... the might hefty couldn't get his way? the gay mob couldn't get their way? additionally I find it offensive that if one doesn't hug a gay cause you are somehow labeled anti-gay when you just didn't feel like jumping on a p.c. bandwagon.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 11:54 p.m.
I don't know. I'm in favor of gay rights, certainly don't want to listen to music expressing hatred of gay people. But somehow, I read this report and it makes me want to support the Blind Pig for standing up to the bullying.
1bit
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 : 11:01 p.m.
I've never heard of this musician. How many of the protestors listened to his music before going out and booing those going into the concert? If he really is a hate-spewing hack then the boos were warranted, but if you've never heard his music then isn't it a bit much? I know that I don't agree with everything the musicians I listen to sing about.