Listening to Wailing Souls on Radio Paradise

philarktos wrote:

Once upon a time I liked reggae, what with the ganga, dance rythyms, Caribbean ambiance and liberation theology. Then I discovered that Rastafarians are as homophobic as other Biblically inspired crackpots. If you then look into the actual life of their concocted saviour, Jah Rastaferai (the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selasie) this whole exercise in self esteem for the African Diaspora starts to look far more pathetic than inspiring. "'Boom Bye-Bye in a Batty Boy Head'" (a song about shooting gays in the head) : "Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia" ">(click here) "Jamaica: Queer in a Culture of Violence Cops are deadly, politicians corrupt, the people poor, but musicians sing, "Kill the fags, burn the sissies." ">(click here) Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

WTF?

Posted 8 months ago by Rcallinjr [ Reply ]

philarktos wrote:

Once upon a time I liked reggae, what with the ganga, dance rythyms, Caribbean ambiance and liberation theology. Then I discovered that Rastafarians are as homophobic as other Biblically inspired crackpots. If you then look into the actual life of their concocted saviour, Jah Rastaferai (the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selasie) this whole exercise in self esteem for the African Diaspora starts to look far more pathetic than inspiring. "'Boom Bye-Bye in a Batty Boy Head'" (a song about shooting gays in the head) : "Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia" ">(click here) "Jamaica: Queer in a Culture of Violence Cops are deadly, politicians corrupt, the people poor, but musicians sing, "Kill the fags, burn the sissies." ">(click here) Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

ROTFL!!!

Posted 8 months ago by Rcallinjr [ Reply ]

It´s a fine Reggae Tune! I Gave it a 7 on first listen with perspective for an 8 at rehearsal.

Posted 2 years ago by philonair [ Reply ]

Mugro wrote:

philarktos wrote:

Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

Then you should not listen to rap either. On second thought, you probably shouldn't listen to Wagner because it might remind you of Nazis or that Vietnam scene in Apocalypse Now. Forget about listening to the Stones or the Beatles, for they might remind you of the British Empire's colonialism. Or perhaps you should not listen to me, because 400 years ago people of my state burned people as witches. And certainly don't associate with any Jews, for they killed Jesus. What a silly generalization you have made. Please let me know if you want me to supply you with more silly generalizations. I am sorry, but you even stated that "perhaps" the Wailing Souls had nothing to do with lynchings. Let us not get carried away with phobia of other people's religions. That is how genocides get started.....

Yeah - I hate all people who generalize! And I hate all people who hate!

(Joke)

Posted 4 years ago by MilesW [ Reply ]

philarktos wrote:

Once upon a time I liked reggae, what with the ganga, dance rythyms, Caribbean ambiance and liberation theology. Then I discovered that Rastafarians are as homophobic as other Biblically inspired crackpots. If you then look into the actual life of their concocted saviour, Jah Rastaferai (the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selasie) this whole exercise in self esteem for the African Diaspora starts to look far more pathetic than inspiring. "'Boom Bye-Bye in a Batty Boy Head'" (a song about shooting gays in the head) : "Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia" ">(click here) "Jamaica: Queer in a Culture of Violence Cops are deadly, politicians corrupt, the people poor, but musicians sing, "Kill the fags, burn the sissies." ">(click here) Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

Boom Bye Bye was written By Buju Banton as a youth. He did not practice Rastafari in his younger days, and yes some of his songs were intolerant. Since his conversion to rastafari and with the wisdom of age, he has recognized the harm the song has caused, and does not play it anymore. Artists like Sizzla have not grown in this regards, though his music that broaches many topics is fantastic. Not all rastafari should be painted with the same brush. There are many conscious reggae artists who do do not practice or preach homophobia. Listen to Chronnix, or Protoje, Damian Marley, Mortimer, Dennis Brown, Jacob Miller, Beanie Man, Culture, Jimmy Cliff, Jah9, etc.. Nowhere do you find this intolerance. In fact this is an 'Island' problem originating from the fiery sermons of Sunday Preachers and having many of its roots in slavery. It's an attitude that has slowly been changing with a new generation of youth who are more gender fluid and tolerant than their elders. Reggae spans many, many topics, serious to lighthearted, and while there will always be blights on certain areas of a genre, the overwhelming majority of reggae artists practice tolerance and inclusivity. The 'intolerance' of rastafari has parallels with that of the christian / evangelical movement in the US. There are some who espouse intolerance and hatred, just as there are an overwhelming majority who do not.
Yuh cyan throw out di baby wid di bath wata.
Blessings!

Posted 4 years ago by violetteadam [ Reply ]

Am I reading this right — no comments in 15 years? Thanks for playing it again Bill!

Posted 4 years ago by SteveInVa [ Reply ]

philarktos wrote:

Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

Then you should not listen to rap either. On second thought, you probably shouldn't listen to Wagner because it might remind you of Nazis or that Vietnam scene in Apocalypse Now. Forget about listening to the Stones or the Beatles, for they might remind you of the British Empire's colonialism. Or perhaps you should not listen to me, because 400 years ago people of my state burned people as witches. And certainly don't associate with any Jews, for they killed Jesus. What a silly generalization you have made. Please let me know if you want me to supply you with more silly generalizations. I am sorry, but you even stated that "perhaps" the Wailing Souls had nothing to do with lynchings. Let us not get carried away with phobia of other people's religions. That is how genocides get started.....

Posted 19 years ago by Mugro [ Reply ]

discochuck wrote:

Slightly repetitive...

Slightly understated. Very boring and annoying all this reggea stuff..

Posted 19 years ago by coentje [ Reply ]

Regardless of the "contraversy" this song is very good.

Posted 19 years ago by mig7 [ Reply ]

Slightly repetitive but still a very good song...

Posted 19 years ago by discochuck [ Reply ]

Right. That's like saying all Christians are homophobic just because some wild-eyed preacher can't handle one guy living with another. In other words, you're pushing a just plain silly line of reasoning. I'm willing to bet that "Rastafarians" as labeled are just as diverse in their individual views as any other social or religious group of comparable size and spectrum. Having spent a couple of formative years on Caribbean islands, I'm damn sure of it, actually. philarktos wrote:

Once upon a time I liked reggae, what with the ganga, dance rythyms, Caribbean ambiance and liberation theology. Then I discovered that Rastafarians are as homophobic as other Biblically inspired crackpots. If you then look into the actual life of their concocted saviour, Jah Rastaferai (the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selasie) this whole exercise in self esteem for the African Diaspora starts to look far more pathetic than inspiring. "'Boom Bye-Bye in a Batty Boy Head'" (a song about shooting gays in the head) : "Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia" ">(click here) "Jamaica: Queer in a Culture of Violence Cops are deadly, politicians corrupt, the people poor, but musicians sing, "Kill the fags, burn the sissies." ">(click here) Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

Posted 19 years ago by xkolibuul [ Reply ]

:sunny.gif:

Posted 19 years ago by crowhog2000 [ Reply ]

Posted 20 years ago by R_P [ Reply ]

Reggae is transformeing with times..like it or not..perhaps you are getting old? Think about it... philarktos wrote:

Once upon a time I liked reggae, what with the ganga, dance rythyms, Caribbean ambiance and liberation theology. Then I discovered that Rastafarians are as homophobic as other Biblically inspired crackpots. If you then look into the actual life of their concocted saviour, Jah Rastaferai (the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selasie) this whole exercise in self esteem for the African Diaspora starts to look far more pathetic than inspiring. "?Boom Bye-Bye in a Batty Boy Head?" (a song about shooting gays in the head) : "Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia" ">(click here) "Jamaica: Queer in a Culture of Violence Cops are deadly, politicians corrupt, the people poor, but musicians sing, "Kill the fags, burn the sissies." ">(click here) Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.

Posted 20 years ago by masterhead [ Reply ]

Once upon a time I liked reggae, what with the ganga, dance rythyms, Caribbean ambiance and liberation theology. Then I discovered that Rastafarians are as homophobic as other Biblically inspired crackpots. If you then look into the actual life of their concocted saviour, Jah Rastaferai (the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selasie) this whole exercise in self esteem for the African Diaspora starts to look far more pathetic than inspiring. "'Boom Bye-Bye in a Batty Boy Head'" (a song about shooting gays in the head) : "Reggae Icons, Jamaican Culture, and Homophobia" ">(click here) "Jamaica: Queer in a Culture of Violence Cops are deadly, politicians corrupt, the people poor, but musicians sing, "Kill the fags, burn the sissies." ">(click here) Now perhaps these musicians have nothing to do with this, but I can no longer listen to reggae because it reminds me of lynchings, which are still going on, and I have no way of knowing if they would approve.