On February 23rd, a panel discussion titled 'Sustainable Measures Against Homophobia in Art' will take place in Berlin, Germany, and will feature German politicians, gay rights activists, and music industry representatives discussing strategies to best deal with controversial topics raised in publicly consumed music and art--specifically, of course, homophobia.
The issue has been of particular interest to the Reggae community, where artists like Sizzla and Buju Banton have been accused by many of espousing homophobic ideologies, either in their lyrics, or during off stage interviews. In Germany, MP Volker Beck and his Alliance 90/Green Party political contingent are leading the charge and taking their concerns to an extreme, arguing for an outright ban of all Jamaican reggae or dancehall music. In 2007, they drafted a resolution called the 'Reggae Compassionate Act,' which called for all dancehall and reggae musicians to refrain from performing any music that might incite hate or violence against a particular group. Several major musicians signed and agreed to the document, but now, Beck and others in the German government are arguing that the resolution has simply not worked, and that an all-encompassing ban is the only appropriate policy choice to make.
Charles Campbell, in an article for the Jamaica Observer, discusses what he calls the German government's "serious accusations which badly tarnish the image of Jamaica," saying that Beck's attack on all reggae music has had an adverse effect in branding the island as "a nation of lynchers and killers." In a separate article, Clyde McKenzie dismisses what he sees as a sad reality of "the actions of a few" being "used to judge the behavior of many." Clearly, the subject is fiercely divisive and contentious in Germany. One can only hope that the dialogue and debate to be held in Berlin will help to at least mend some of these divides.
