Staff writer - Kerran Monroe
By now we have all heard of the video featuring dancehall superstar Beenie Man which has gone viral. In this video Beenie Man essentially made an apology to the gay community for the anti gay lyrics he sang in the earlier part of his career, which according to him was about 20 years ago. He asked the members of the homosexual community, not to judge him based on songs he penned, 20 years ago, as no one remains the same after 20 years and he certainly has not.
According to the deejay, he was ignorant at the time, as he was not exposed to the word. He was only exposed to his community in Water House, Jamaica. As a result his life views and his outlook on life were based on what he was exposed to in the community. He was not aware that there are people in other remote places from his little community in Water House, living different lives from the life he was exposed to as a youngster from Water House. In the video Beenie also stated that he respects all human beings, despite, race, religion or sexual orientation. This video was made to mitigate any protest actions which might be taken by the gay community in Spain, where Beenie Man is to perform.
Dancehall Superstar Beenie Man. Photo courtesy urbanislandz.com
The making of this video has attracted many comments, those supporting the stance taken by Beenie Man and there are those that are opposed to it. There have been comments suggesting that this is just Beenie Man’s way of coming out of the closet. Also there are the judgmental comments accusing him of ‘selling out’ because of money. As well as there are those comments applauding the move. Some persons are even saying how proud they are of Beenie Man for taking such a bold step.
As for me, I say, congratulations to Beenie Man for finally coming into the real world. The world where one has to accept that there are many different types of people, and in order to get around in this world, one has to, if nothing else acknowledge and tolerate people of all types. Check out the video below…
