Ignorance is … no excuse

In yesterday’s Gleaner newspaper, I came across a letter headed “Not hostile to homosexuals”. Here are the high- and low lights.

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that Elton John regards Jamaicans as very hostile towards homosexuals. Not only is Mr. or Mrs. Elton John (the BBC did not state his title so I don’t know) wrong about Jamaicans, but he was very unkind.

It is homosexuality and not homosexuals that Jamaicans are hostile towards. There are countless homosexuals living in Jamaica today who have never once been harassed because they keep their unlawful practice to themselves.

It is not true to suggest that Jamaicans promote violence against homosexuals. One of my best friends is a homosexual and we enjoy a good friendship built on respect. However, like the majority of law-abiding Jamaicans, I would report him to the police if I see him in an act of homosexuality.

In this age of rampant globalization, I find it comforting to know that there are people who do not know whether Elton John is a man or a woman. And like the letter writer, I can separate the act from the man: it is his musical drivel of the last 20 years that I resent, not the piano player himself. After all, he did write Benny and the jets.

However, in flagrant contradiction to the letter, it is true that Jamaicans promote violence against homosexuals.

Example 1
Buju Banton – Boom bye bye

Boom [as in gun sound] goodbye, goodbye
[as in we won’t be seeing you again, you’re dead]
Inna batty bwoy head
[In a queer’s head ]
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
[Rude boys don’t promote no queer men]
Dem haffi dead
[They have to die]
Send fi di matic an
[Send for the automatic [gun] and]
Di Uzi instead
[The Uzi instead]
Shoot dem no come if we shot dem
[Shoot them, don’t come if we shoot them, as in don’t come to help them]
Guy come near we
[If a man comes near me]
Then his skin must peel
[as in pour acid over him]
Burn him up bad like an old tyre wheel

Example 2
Vybz Kartel – Bedroom Slaughteration

Bow cat, sodomite, batty man fi gat assassination (Yeah)

Example 3
Elephant Man – We Nuh Like Gay

Battyman fi dead! Tek dem by surprise
Get a shot inna yu head, inna mi big gun collide.

Example 4
Beenie Man – Han Up Deh

Hang chi chi gal [lesbians] wid a long piece of rope

Example 5
Beenie Man – Damn

I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays.

Phew.
There are many more examples but citing them would merely be further proof of the banality of evil. Nuff already, y’hear?

I wrote a quick reply to the Gleaner and am curious to see whether it will be published. I’ve already created a gmail label entitled “hate mail” in anticipation.

Related posts:

1. A bribe by any other name
2. Portia
3. Jamaica rundown
4. Indignant from Arcadia
5. Jamaican chutzpah