7 News Belize

UNIBAM Says Back Down Beenie Man
posted (October 7, 2014)
If you watch the ads on the news, you probably know that Robert Lee, better known as Bobby Chin or "Black Chiney," is having his Birthday Bash Concert two Saturdays from now at the Cahal Pech Resort in San Ignacio.

But, now an advocacy group is trying to block him out much like how the Roman Catholic Church tried to block the reggae artist Alkaline 3 weeks ago. But, this time it's not the church, it's their arch-nemesis, the gay rights group UNIBAM - which, in a clever twist, is claiming common cause with the Catholics.

UNIBAM's attorney, Lisa Shoman today sent a letter to the principal promoter Jordan Zabaneh warning the promoters that they must commit to a clean show, or else UNIBAM will seek an injunction against them.

And what do they mean by a clean show? Well, the letter quotes lyrics from headliner Beenie Man and warns that both he or Bobby Chin will, quote "...make statements/sing, and/or perform lyrics and acts that incite, the murder of His Holiness the Pope, incite and advocate the hate/harm or murder of LGBT persons and promote harm and/or forcible sexual acts against women (and) girls and...are mysoginistic in nature." End quote.

UNIBAM demands that the promoters give an undertaking that at the show, none of the artists will sing any lyrics that speak violence against the Pope, gays or women. If the promoters do not agree to such an undertaking, UNIBAM will apply to the Supreme Court for an injunction to block them from having the performance.

It's a very strong position, and a precedent has already been set with the Alkaline challenge - which the court upheld. But that had to do with church business, and this case is different. Today, we caught up with UNIBAM's executive director to explain why now, since Beenie Man has come to Belize at least twice before:

Caleb Orozco, UNIBAM
"Collectively we were concern that sponsors are taking their social responsibility serious with regards to how violence impact the community and that artists who promote violence against women, gays, or the police. In fact there was a reference in one of the lyrics to murder the pope. How can we as a society being concern about violence when we are glorifying violence in the lyrics and having one of Belize's largest sponsor support that the lyrical violence comes from these artists without any regard to the impact of the psychology of those who go and attend from the communities which are Belizeans. It is important to us to bring to the attention of all parties including religious leaders to understand that once and for all we need to take a substantive stance on what the meaning of violence and the factors that influence this glorification in the country."

Daniel Ortiz
"While you consider it glorification, those who will probably attend this concert will see this as you making a flamboyant stance when it's just a lyric, it's just a song. Why is it more important than we question those things?"

Caleb Orozco, UNIBAM
"Well for those people who go and say it's just entertainment, I'd like to challenge them to be very happy when one of their relatives are shot. For those who go and enjoy the music, I like to challenge them and ask if they would be happy if one of their sisters were raped, or abused by another man. For those who go to the concert or who go to the event the issue is not stopping the event, the issue is for those artist to be conscious that they have a social responsibility to entertain people in a fun and positive way."

Since, we had no phone numbers to reach him, we tried to make contact with Bobby Chin through the social media, but up until news time, he had not responded. We also attempted to contact Troy Flowers, better known as "DJ Dallah". He is scheduled to be the show's host. We also were unable to reach him for comment. Via Facebook, he gave his opinions via an extended comment, basically, saying, back off, and if you don't like it don't attend.

Flowers said, quote,
"...What if an artist sing vulgar music? That's his or her business! You don't have to support the music you don't like but at the same time you don't have the right to be malicious about it.

What is this new rampage about this or that artist can't come to Belize? Promoters are spending their money to make money and let's be fair not because you dislike something means you will try to destroy it and deprive other people of enjoying it."

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