Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

TOK on stage at the Smirnoff Experience 'Party With The Stars' show, held at the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track on December 23, 2005. - File

"To the entire Black race living in America, we, the Aryan, pink complexioned race (better known to you as the white race) that came to these shores from Europe, England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Germany and the like, do hereby apologise ...

"... We apologise for trying to come up with an AIDS vaccine to stop the epidemic spread of AIDS in Africa, AIDS being a disease that you created and passed on to us after having sexual intercourse with monkeys and then with one of our idiotic race-mixers who then passed it on to the rest of the world."

This is a portion of the 'apology' taken from the Ku Klux Klan's official website. Though many may cringe at the thought that these views are still being openly expressed, the fact is, these opinions are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

This is why the majority of these websites are hosted by American companies, because most countries like Sweden, China, United Kingdom and Canada have limitations on freedom of speech that the U.S. does not have.

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and the press as long as it cannot be classified as 'hate speech'. Though many argue and show that the expression of such ideas can be classified as 'hate speech' because it led to actions - the killing of thousands of blacks and Jews - it's not the same with dancehall music.

Several unsubstantiated cases have been used as examples over the years, by gay and lesbian groups concerning dancehall music (often simply called anti-gay music), saying it has caused the deaths of homosexuals in Jamaica.

"As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" - Romans 9:13. "JEWS ARE HATED BY YAHWEH!" (as was written on the sermon page of the website as Sabine Baring-Gould's Onward Christian Soldiers is played).

Some, therefore, say it is strange that in a country where people can freely express views about racial segregation, that they would have a problem with others expressing another view. Many rappers, such as Eminem, have expressed the same views, but without the same effects. Eminem released perhaps one of the most homophobic albums in recent times, The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000.

According to Tracii McGregor, VP of Gargamel Music, Buju Banton's label, homophobic lyrics are nothing new on the international scene, yet the main artistes targeted are dancehall acts.

"It is there, even with hip-hop artistes like Eminem. He has spoken about the fact that he doesn't like gay people and a lot of his music advocates horrible things, but the fact is that he is making millions and millions and millions for Interscope. The way I feel about this is that if I listen to Eminem, it's like 'OK, it's a song; that's how he feels, OK. Move on'," she said.

It's difficult not to see her point when one looks at some of the dancehall acts, including Beenie Man, Capleton and TOK who have apologised for their anti-gay songs, only to continue being banned from shows and events. Though Buju Banton has not apologised for his Boom Bye Bye, released in 1992, and has said he has no intention of doing so, the gay community refuses to tuck away the whip, ignoring the plethora of songs he has done since then which do not address homosexuality. Some therefore wonder 'where is the freedom of speech for foreigners on American soil?'

Overreacting

TOK's Chi Chi Man, which was released in 2000, has recently come under attack from the homosexual community, which says that the song incites violence against those of a different sexual orientation. As a result, two months ago the group was dropped from the AIDS awareness concert 'The Life Beat'. Alex, a member of the group, says most of those criticising the song are overreacting.

"First of all, we were just taken off just one show and that is the only song we have done about that issue... Doing that song, it was just a vibe in the studio, it was not a preconceived thing. One of the misconceptions about the song is people think that we set about to target one person or a specific group of people. Some people look at it as violence through music and all that, but it is just an expression of our surroundings. We are in no way advocating violence against any group," he said.

He says the group likes to try new things and discuss a variety of topics and that was one of them. "TOK in essence strive to do different things all the time. Our thing is not set in one direction; we do all kind of songs: rude boy songs and countless other songs. We have not dwelled on that topic, we are focusing on our career," he said.

According to Alex, the pressure on dancehall artistes from the gay community isn't the reason for TOK's departure from the topic. "No. We're focusing on different topics. We've always been that way. Not because of the gay insurgence in music. That's how we do it . We are always trying to do better and redefine our music. We sing one drop and jump up music. One of our biggest hits to date is on a one drop, that's Footprints," he said.

Will not 'bow'

But Buju is not the only Jamaican deejay who will not 'bow'. Spragga Benz says he is quite resolute in his beliefs. "Mi just know say me naw stop sing dem song deh. The creator himself haffi come dung and tell me fi stop. It's just my upbringing. Mi nuh think bout fi dem actions and fi dem thoughts don't concern me. Mi naw stop bun dem," he said. Among his songs on the gay issue are Funny Guy Ting and We Nuh Like.

Spragga says he is not concerned about others misinterpreting what he means by 'bun out', which many Rastafarians insist is a spiritual and not a literal fire. "Mi nuh business. To me it a mek more headway than anything," he said, saying that the deejays sing about women much more than homosexuals and it is the latter who are complaining.

Currently, there seems to be a decline in the number of anti-gay songs from dancehall artistes, while others like Wayne Marshall (I Forgot Dem and Astronaut) find witty ways to say what they wish.

Some may say that in order to be a major crossover performer, the Jamaican has to shed anti-gay lyrics. Though Sean Paul managed to cross-over with his song Like Glue,where he proclaimed, 'I man naw play number two', the members of TOK were not so lucky with Chi Chi Man.

"We apologize for thinking we could educate you so that you could learn to build things and help others, when you obviously have only the ability to tear down and take from others..."

"...What say? Do you accept our apology? Do we have a deal? Please let us know, soon!"

The two parties have reconciled, but what is obvious is that the controversy surrounding anti-gay lyrics has divided dancehall culture. What was originally a space many youngsters gravitated toward because they were able to paint a picture of life through their inner-city windows is slowly being barricaded by the international community, aided by those who have taken the hint that maybe there is no freedom of speech for 'the other' from the 'other side of town'.