Since we’ve been writing about the cultural politics of nasty lyrics, I thought to invite you to a discussion next week where one of my most favourite poets and activists, Staceyann Chin, will be speaking in Toronto.
If any of you have been following the decade-long debate over homophobic lyrics in dancehall, this is the place to hear some really committed activists talk about the best way to address this issue. It’s a public forum as well so you’ll have the opportunity to participate.
Since September of 2007, the Canadian arm of the international Stop Murder Music Campaign has been very active in pushing concert cancellations. And just last week, Gareth Henry, well-known gay activist with JFLAG in Jamaica, announced that he is seeking refugee asylum here in Canada because of persecution in Jamaica.
Meanwhile, dancehall artists such as Buju Banton are singled out as particularly nasty while many other artists also produce demeaning, misogynistic and hurtful lyrics. Who else is guilty of promoting hate in the music industry?
Here are the details:
The Sound of Hate: Where sexual orientation, race, dancehall music and human rights collide.
Panel Discussion and Public Forum
Friday, 29th February 2008
6:30 PM
University of Toronto
Medical Sciences Building
1 King’s College Circle
Room 2158
Moderator:
Angela Robertson
Panelists:
Staceyann Chin -Poet and Activist
Rinaldo Walcott -Associate Professor/ OISE U of T
Nik Redman -DJ and Activist~
Akim Adé Larcher -Human Rights Activist
Promoter -To Be Announced
ASL-English interpretation will be provided.
Sponsors: Stop Murder Music Canada, Egale Canada and CUPE Ontario. For more information: Egale Canada 416-642-5030.
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