Intolerance begets intolerance (Letter to Gleaner 27.10.09)

The Editor, Sir:

While Buju Banton (Mark Myrie) is by no means the only Jamaican artiste to sing a song that promotes violence against homosexual men, he has become the target of many gay-rights groups internationally. He has had several concerts cancelled and has been met with protests at many other venues.

This may seem a bit unfair, given that he is not alone in singing such lyrics, or the fact that the song was released almost 20 years ago, and the artiste has since softened his image tremendously.

What is, however, surprising is the hypocrisy of those in Jamaica who have come out in support of Buju and others. They complain that foreigners should not interfere in Jamaica's internal matters when gays are persecuted and prosecuted and hate is spewed at several groups with impunity, but in the same breath, expect foreigners to sit by and allow those from outside to come into their countries and perpetuate the same hatred they are allowed to in Jamaica.

Minority-rights protection

The same principle of minority-rights protection that people like Buju want in places like the US, Canada or in Europe are, in principle, the same ones that gay-rights groups would like Jamaicans to protect in relation to the gay and lesbian community, among others.

On what basis should a foreigner like Buju be allowed into the US, Canada or the EU to sing freely about killing gays, while gay citizens from these countries who visit Jamaica could be subjected to 10 or more years in prison in Jamaica?

Jamaicans cannot expect to avail themselves of the freedoms in these societies when they refuse to extend similar freedoms to the citizens of these countries. Buju and others have no right to enter or perform in the US, in the same way that American gays have no right to be themselves in Jamaica.

In the same way that Jamaica feels it has the right to protect its societal values, Americans have the right to protect their values. It is all about reciprocity.

I am, etc.,

RICARDO SMALLING
rsmalling@sympatico