THE REGGAE COMPASSIONATE ACT: A letter By Sizzla and Beenie Man
THE REGGAE COMPASSIONATE ACT’
We, the artists of the Reggae community, hereby present this letter as a symbol of our dedication to the guiding principles of Reggae’s enduring foundation ONE LOVE. Throughout time, Reggae has been recognized as a healing remedy and an agent of positive socialchange.
We will continue this proud and righteous tradition.
Reggae Artists and their music have fought against injustices, inequalities, poverty and violence even while enduring some of those same circumstances themselves. Over the years, reggae music has become popularized and enjoyed by an unprecedented audience all over the world. Artists of the Reggae Community respect and uphold the rights of all individuals to live without fear of reprisals due to religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or gender.
While we recognize that our artistic community comprises many different individuals who express themselves in different ways and hold a myriad of beliefs, we believe firmly that the way forward lies in tolerance. Everyone can keep his own conviction and we must receive respect for our freedom of speech as far as we respect the law, but it must be clear there’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence or homophobia.
We do not encourage nor minister to HATE but rather uphold a philosophy of *LOVE,* *RESPECT *and* UNDERSTANDING* towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae music.
This Compassionate Act is hereby calling on a return to the following principles as the guiding vision for the future of a healthy Reggae music community:
* Positive Vibrations
* Consciousness raising
* Social and Civic Engagement
* Democracy and Freedom
* Peace
* Mother Nature
* Equal Rights and Justice
* One Love
* Individual Rights
* Humanity
We, as artists, are committed to a holistic and healthy existence in the world and respect to the utmost the human and natural world. We pledge that our music will continue to contribute positively to the world dialogue on peace and justice for all.
To this end we agree not to perform any music or lyrics that is directed towards anyone or anything, that may be called an incitement to kill anyone from any community, or goes against the laws of the country we are to perform.
*ONE LOVE*
11 May 2007
I am writing on behalf of the Stop Murder Music Campaign.
We regard this statement as a important reaffirmation of the humanitarian and liberation principles that inspired the early reggae pioneers - the desire for a peaceful, just and hate-free world.
The Reggae Compassionate Statement’s rejection of racism, homophobia and sexism is an important milestone. We rejoice at its commitment to music without prejudice.
We are delighted that the Reggae Compassionate Statement* has been signed by Beenie Man, Capleton and Sizzla. Their disavowal of homophobia and other prejudices is a very welcome move. Although some artists did not stick to previous agreements, we accept that these three singers want to move on and put homophobia behind them.
By signing the Reggae Compassionate Statement they are stating that, in future, they will not release new homophobic songs or authorise the re-release of previous homophobic songs. Moreover, they also agree that they will not make homophobic public statements.*In other words, they recognise that prejudice, hate and violence have no place in music – that singers should unite not divide, and uplift not put down, people of all races and sexualities.
This agreement applies throughout the world – not just in Europe and the US, but also in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
If these three singers abide by their signed statements to avoid homophobic words and lyrics worldwide, we have no objections to their concerts going ahead. We will call off the campaign to cancel their concerts, and advise all our constituent and allied groups around the world to do the same.
We will review this decision in six months time, with a commitment to making it a permanent end to the campaign against these three singers. So long as they stick to the agreement, we will honour our commitment to halt the campaign against them.
We hope that the other five “murder music” singers - Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton - will also soon sign the Reggae Compassionate Statement. When they do so, we will also call off the campaign against their concerts. Until that time, the campaign against them will continue.
We hold out the hand of reconciliation and friendship to all these singers. We are ready to put the past behind us. We hope they are too; in which case, their careers will flourish with our approval and support.
It is our belief that the struggle for black freedom, women’s freedom and gay freedom are different aspects of the same struggle for universal human rights. Racism, misogyny and homophobia are triple evils that must be challenged and defeated, so that all people on this planet - including in the Caribbean - can live their lives free from abuse, threats, discrimination and violence.
United we stand, divided we fall!
Peter Tatchell and Dennis Carney
OutRage! London and the Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group UK
On behalf of the Stop Murder Music Campaign
You may find that
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investment.
May 19th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
that’s fantastic. bout damn time sizzla stand up. i’ll actually start buying his albums again if he walks the talk. dun worry about the batty bwoy! live life & love. nice post.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
[…] pledged to stop encouraging hatred in their music. Sizzla, Beenie Man, and Capleton have signed the Reggae Compassion Act, which is basically a promise to be more tolerant. The Stop Murder Music Campaign, which introduced […]
June 13th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Every day, we the people get up and talk about the problem of crime and violence in the society. No one takes the initaitive to put a stop to some of the issues that cause violence.
It is good for the three artists to have taken such a stance; I greatly respect that.
Despite the acclaimed principles of the other artists, this is still a buisness and it’s either do or dont. In thuth and in fact, you are not a true musician if you are not able to curve your music. Hard hartedness doesn’t solve crime, and especially for a nation crying out for peace.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I and I say: Bun out all bwattybwoys! Run pon dem! Boomshot!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I and I say: Bun out all bwattybwoys! Run pon dem! Boomshot!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
To quote Beenie Man: Badman Don’t like traitors!!
June 15th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
While it’s a given Beenie Man will sign anything like this, before making a rushed apology to the Jamaican public for doing so, I’m surprised Sizzla had… what happened to no apaologize?
Artists need to stop this but it’s so entrenched in Jamaica it’s not gonna happen soon… certainly not because of pressure from some white english gay activists!!!!
June 15th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
How will they explain their decision to sign those documents to the Jamaican people? I am sorry but we all know where Jamaica as a nation stands when it comes to the subject of homosexuality… this will be interesting….
June 15th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I CERTAINLY CAN’T BELIEVE THAT AN ARTISTE LIKE SIZZLA HAS SIGNED THIS DOCUMENT………NOW WHAT IS THIS SAYING???
1. A JAMAICAN DJ OR SINGER CAN BE CONTRACTED TO FORM AT A BATTYMAN CONCERT BY A GAY PROMOTER?
2. A JAMAICAN DJ OR SINGER WILL NOW OPENLY PERFORM BEFORE A PREDOMINANTLY GAY CROWD AND HAVE THE SAME REASONING AND EFFECT IN HIS/HER PERFORMANCE…???
3. NO ARTISTE SHOULD PUBLICLY DENOUNCE HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR??? WHICH IS AGAINST OUR MORALS??
PEOPLE DONT RUSH TO A CONCLUSION WHEN I WRITE JUST READ FIRST……HOW IS IT THAT THESE ARTISTES HAVE SIGNED THIS CONTRACT ESPECIALLY SIZZLA AND CAPLETON WHOSE “WAY OF LIFE” IS TOTALLY AGAINST THIS THING..???
JUST REPEATING WHAT I WROTE ………………….
I AM NOT SAYING THAT THE ARTISTE SHOULD PERFORM HATE SONGS AND GET AWAY WITH THIS, BUT, THESE GAYS ARE ORGANISED AND HAVE SET UP A COMMITTE TO FIGHT AGAINST SPECIFIC JAMAICAN ARTISTES, YET THERE IS NO GROUP IN THE INDUSTRY THAT CAN ORGANISE THEMSELVES AND CHALLENGE SOME OF THE CLAUSES IN THE CONTRACT???
June 15th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
HOW IS THAT THESE GUYS CAN DICTATE THE DIRECTION OF OUR MUSIC IN JAMAICA!!!! MAYBE OVERSEAS, BUT NOT IN JAMAICA!!!!!
1. THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS AGAINST THE LAWS OF JAMAICA
2. IT IS ALSO IMMORAL
3. IS THIS THE DIRECTION OUR INDUSTRY IS GOING???
4. WE CAN SAY YES DEFINITIVELY THAT WE ARE AGAINST HATE MUSIC AND ACTIONS, BUT HOW CAN WE SAY IT’S OK TO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS….WHO KEEPS INFILTRATING THE SOCIETY…
5. WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO NOW…….IS THIS SAYING THAT WHEN WE GO TO A STAGE SHOW AND SEE SUSPECT BEHAVIOUR , OUR ARTISTES ARE TO TURN A BLIND EYE AND DONT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT???
CHRIS| posted: 15.06.07
WHAT THE FUCK IS REALLY HAPPENING IN JAMAICA AND TO OUR MUSIC???? BETWEENIE HAS NOT SURPRISED ME BECAUSE I SEE HIM AS A “FISH”, BUT SIZZLA??? THIS IS MORE THAN A DISAPPOINTMENT……THIS IS SELL OUT!!!!!
I AM SURE OTHER ARTISTES LIKE ELEPHENT MAN, BOUNTY KILLER, TOK, BUJU BANTON AND VYBZ SKETEL ARE STILL DOING SHOWS AND MAKING MILLIONS…..AND I AM ALSO SURE THAT SIZZLA IS MAKING MILLIONS TOO….WHY SELL UR SOUL FOR MONEY……..STAND UP FOR SOMETHING OR FALL FOR NOTHING……
WAR PANEL……….ALLIANCE FI LIFE…….BULLETT!!!BULLETT!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
rastafari will put the fire pon de pussy dem
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:59 pm
[…] entire Act can be viewed on Rastaman’s blog. The act goes on to state the original positive message that reggae music is known for and how, […]
August 31st, 2007 at 11:58 pm
IS THIS THE DIRECTION THAT THE WORLD IS TURING TO NOW IS IT NOT STATED IN THE GOOD BOOK ABOUT THIS KING OF BEHAVIOUR? DID THESE PEOPLE READ WHAT THEY WERE SIGNING BEFORE THEY DID JUST THAT? DID THE MOST HIGH NOT DESTROY AN ENTIRE CITY FOR THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOUR? BOY WE CAN REALLY SEE THE END IS NEAR, WHEN THESE TYPES OF BEHAVIOURS ARE TOLERATED WITHIN SOCIETY TODAY WHAT A GOOD EXAMPLE TO SET FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, (IF YOU CAN’T FIND A WOMAN TAKE A MAN) ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY IS “SODDAMITE FI DEAD, BUN OUT THE CHI CHI, THE BATTY MAN, THE BUGGERMAN, THE BULLER MAN”
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December 16th, 2007 at 2:13 am
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
December 16th, 2007 at 3:03 am
ok! Sizzla? i can’t beleive that. money talks maybe and Judgment yard is thinking wisely for the sake of their bank account. i don’t think that someone will take sizzla otherwise than what he already have spread
i love the man. and he is actually a picture of what my thoughts look like when it comes to butty people.
remember what The Father say……
My children will get his albums and their children and their children and so on and so forth…………..
NoWayMan
December 16th, 2007 at 3:08 am
true rez
I’m surprised Sizzla had… what happened to no apologize?
http://rapidshare.com/files/71372983/24-Sizzla_-_Nah_Apologize.mp3
December 28th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
wether someone agree or not on homosexuality it’s their personal choice, often dictated by their community. To disaprove is one thing, to use music as a vehicule to promote hatered and violence and murder, is unacceptable, where ever you live. It’s about time that murder music face some resistance. If you which to learn more about this conflict, take a few minutes and visit the website I have created on this topic. Contains songs listing, song lyrics, history, news, concerts cancelled, comments from the industry and more
December 28th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
website address:
www.soulrebels.org/dancehall.htm
big up to everyone who as enough space in their heart to overstand the struggle that caribbean gay people must go through on an every day basis and big up to people who will reject any form of hatered. Judje not, before you judge yourself.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Jamaica embraces white Artist from the U.K check it out at Avaleigh.co.uk
And download free music.
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February 17th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Boom!
Red fire pon di Chi Chi.
Wah gwaan wit dem boys signing up dat bullshit?
InI nah ago tolerate dat kinda behavior from Prophet, Kalonji and Doc.
Red fire!
Dem ah sell out themselves fi wah? Battybwoy society!
Fi unu dem boys:
Stop writing “murder music” if ya feel so, but dont sign up documents where you sell out your opinions. Dont mix up Jah Jah City, I-tal livity, Rasta ways and western society,zeen?
ONE LOVE!
Man haffi have a woman, Woman haffi have a man.
Love created I an I.
Zeen?
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