Slog - Comments on UPDATE: Buju Banton show canceled - Neumo's letter http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s Neumo's just released its official statement of its reasons for canceling the controversial Buju Banton show scheduled for tomorrow night. From Steven Severin, one of Neumo's (Neumo's's?) owners: After much debate, Neumos has cancelled the Buju Banton show. Our mission of providing for the free expression of art must give way in this situation to our responsibility to the health and safety of our patrons and the community. Only in this extreme situation where it appears that there is a potential of violence due to extremely heated opinions regarding the lyrical content of this artists lyrics do we take this... Copyright 2007 Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:10:51 -0800 Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:38:19 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Pony Boy Kerri Harrop raised a vaild point in another slog post.

Axl Rose is coming to play Everett. What will the nanny police do about it?

Remember this little ditty?

"One in A million"
Police and niggers
That's right
Get out of my way
Don't need to buy none of your
Goldchains today
I don't need no bracelets
Clamped in front of my back
Just need my ticket till then
Won't you cut me some slack

Immigrants and faggots
They make no sense to me
They come to our country
And think they'll do as they please
Like start some mini Iran
Or spread some fucking disease
They talk so many goddamn ways
It's all greek to me
Well some say I'm lazy
And others say that's just me
Some say I'm crazy
I guess I'll always be
But it's been such a long time
Since I knew right from wrong
It's all the means to an end, I,
I keep on movin' along

Radicals and racists
Don't point your finger at me
I'm a small town white boy
Just tryin' to make ends meet
Don't need your religion
Don't watch that much TV
Just makin' my livin', baby,
Well that's enough for me

]]> Pony Boy http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469518 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469518 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:20:49 -0800 Comment by Nick Um, yeah, but look at Axl Rose now.

]]> Nick http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469533 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469533 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:29:17 -0800 Comment by With an O not an A While I feel for Neumos/Severin, you'd think that if you're going to cave to neighborhood pressure, you'd at least have the common sense to spell that neighborhood's name correctly.

]]> With an O not an A http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469534 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469534 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:29:24 -0800 Comment by Jesse Can we have a fundraiser for Neumos to help reimburse the cost? I believe in supporting local businesses that are conscientious of their clients and I applaud this decision. I'd certainly donate $50-$100 to them as my piece of thanking them and helping making that nut a bit easier to swallow (mmmmmm... swallowing nuts)...

]]> Jesse http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469537 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469537 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:31:21 -0800 Comment by not sufficient Still looking for the GNR track where Axl calls for the murder and torture of gays, instead of just calling them bad names.

]]> not sufficient http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469540 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469540 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:32:49 -0800 Comment by you_gotta_be_kidding_me Jesse you really don’t get it do you? We need to be urging gays to withhold financial support from businesses that cut checks to people who advocate for the murder and mutilation of gay people. Period! (This isn’t that complicated.)

]]> you_gotta_be_kidding_me http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469554 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469554 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:43:03 -0800 Comment by ac its sad that some are going to see this as a victory against Buju Banton. he still gets paid, and doesnt even have to show up. I think i just found a racket! anyways, to all of you that called for this show too be cancelled: Shame on you! I think Mr Bantons views are deplorable, but so what, i wasnt gonna go to the show.... Oh and by the way, Where the hell were all yall when Elephant man played chop suey? "step pon chi chi man, Set fire pon chi chi man" -- Elephant man. I guess this is the power of the slog, which i dont believe was up then....

]]> ac http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469557 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469557 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:47:15 -0800 Comment by Syke What if this song was about shooting women in the head, pouring acid on them and lighting them on fire? Or black people? Wow... that song wouldn't have been PUBLISHED. Yet, bashing gays is still on the fringe - it's freedom of speech. "Boom Bye Bye" isn't naming calling a la Axel Rose or personal expression... IT'S POURING ACID ON GAY MEN. Shame on anyone who doesn't think this is completely out of line. It's not censorship, it's human dignity. We get so caught up in "freedom of speech" and "censorship" that we completely forget to respect people, and we endorse those that don't by paying them. And to AC, you weren't going to go to show... would your advice for Rosa Parks have been to not take the bus? There is such a thing as going too far and standing up for human rights and equality - I'll take equality and compassion over freedom of speech, and I endorse all the Rosa Parks that voiced their opinion and influenced this cancellation. Things don't change by ignoring them.

]]> Syke http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469571 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469571 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:59:05 -0800 Comment by Have Some Balls Nemos shouldn't cut a check for this asshole. Have some fucking balls and tell him to take his concert and shove it.


The Stranger should come up with $15,000 to pay off the company.


This musician is doing great, he's getting money for shows he never played, and you've all given him tons of publicity.

]]> Have Some Balls http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469572 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469572 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:00:42 -0800 Comment by ac actually, i believe rosa parks actions led tooo hmmmmm lets see.... NOT TAKING THE BUS. In fact her arrest led to a boycott of the montgomery bus system, which was very effective. So Yes that would be my advice.
ac

]]> ac http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469579 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469579 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:08:42 -0800 Comment by Fascist for Christ Book-Burning party at Stranger headquarters?

We can start with the Kuran!

]]> Fascist for Christ http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469581 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469581 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:08:52 -0800 Comment by Prezbo To poster #8 Do most gays respect other peoples views? Like say Christians or Muslims? What if an Gay rights artist comes to neumos that bashes Christians or Muslims. Do Christians and Muslims have the right to protest and better yet will you cancel that artist's show due to presure from these groups?

I will seriously fucking boycott any artist that shows up at Neumos that has uttered anti religion lyrics. And trust me many religious people will rally up to protest if called upon. Why the double standard?

I dont support what Mr.Banton remorsefully wrote in a song 10 years ago. But damn you dont believe in second chances? Capital Hill is a place thats full of second, third, fourth and fifth chances.

]]> Prezbo http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469645 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469645 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 15:26:34 -0800 Comment by boobies hard nut to swallow

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

]]> boobies http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469663 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469663 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 15:42:56 -0800 Comment by COMTE Prezbo,

Are the gay artists merely criticizing Christians & Muslims, or are they advocating shooting them in the head, pouring acid on them, and lighting them on fire?

'cause if it's the latter, then yeah, they should be boycotted, and I'd be more than willing to stand on the line with you. If it's the former, then protest away brother, but count me out.

Oh, and the second Mr. Banton gets in front of a microphone and publically repudiates his previous statements, asks forgiveness from those he's offended, and pledges never to repeat his vile, hateful incitements to violence, then yeah, it would be pretty "unChristian" not to give him a second chance.

You'll note I have not begun holding my breath...

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469735 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469735 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 17:06:04 -0800 Comment by Gomez the owners of Neumo's is what you were looking for. When it comes to proper names stated in possessive, you just turn the term around and state it at length.

Alas, I'm with Comte on a comment he made on another entry, that people ought to show some support for the venue given they just ate $15K to appease an angry public, and go down and get a drink or three at the venue.

]]> Gomez http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469831 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469831 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:48:48 -0800 Comment by Exdancer The owners of Neumo's should have had the good sense not to book this act in the first place. I'm all for artistic freedom, but there is an appropriate time and place for every artistic work, and an artist advocating violent death for homosexuals is not an appropriate choice for Capitol Hill. Come on, folks - this isn't rocket science.

As for their statement, "As a performing arts venue we take pride in allowing artists to freely express their views without censorship or prior restraint", quite simply that's a red herring. I would accept that from a non-profit arts venue with a stated mission to present the widest possible views to the public, but not from a for-profit enterprise. As first and foremost a BUSINESS, their mission is to make money. Pure and simple. They book the acts they think will will bring in the most cash. Their pretense of "taking the high road" is a smokescreen for what was frankly just a poor business choice.

Own up to your mistake, pay for your error in judgement, and move on, guys.

]]> Exdancer http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469858 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c469858 Music Tue, 26 Sep 2006 20:58:15 -0800 Comment by Selector Z I want to start by saying I don't support the lyrics to this song, and am the farthest thing from homophobic. BUT COME ON ... DUDE WAS 15. Move on. Have any of you listened to his other works? He writes some of the most uplifting lyrics I have ever heard. It was poor judgement. Isn't there anything ya'll can do that would be more positive, productive and uplifting than holding up signs and protesting and pointing fingers. Do something for the world, open up some doors. Getting a concert cancelled by an artist you've never even heard isn't really is pointless to me. And after all, he got paid didn't he? My main point however is the actual reason for the cancellation of the show...

"it appears that there is a potential of violence due to extremely heated opinions regarding the lyrical content of this artists lyrics do we take this action"
This is utter nonsense. I have seen Buju several times over the years and have never once heard him perform the song. And never once has there been anything remotely resembling violence. NEVER. He attracts peaceful, fun loving, diverse reggae crowds. All of my friends listen to Buju and go to see him, and not one of them has become homophobic or violent or any such matter because of his lyrics. Seriously people, move on.

]]> Selector Z http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c470503 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/09/update_buju_banton_s#c470503 Music Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:38:19 -0800