The Darker Side of Black - ACE274.6

Banton claims to be "the voice of Jamaica"; commentary says his voice silences others and that, one day, "queer Jamaican voices will have their own song". University of West Indies. Professor Rex Nettleford, quotes former Prime Minister Edward Seaga as implying that Banton was only "a child" when he wrote Boom Bye Bye. Banton talks about his voice. Commentary suggests that Jamaican culture requires the death of homosexuals in order to maintain its own masculinity. Film Director Ragga Gyal D’bout!, Inge Blackman, says that non-homophobic black fans of ragga are not heard as prominence is to those with homophobic attitudes. She talks about the responses of women she interviewed for her film, angry that given in the mainstream media had "painted the whole of ragga as homophobic". Dancers in club. O’Connor on finding the anti-woman content of deejay music personally offensive but having to remember the reality it reflects. Musician, Lady Saw, says she is against the anti-woman message of deejay music. Dancers. Lady Saw’s Find a Good Man (1994) heard over. University of West Indies, Carolyn Cooper, says that Lady Saw’s "finding a man" is a "proper sentiment", but her message about wanting sex is not acceptable. Excerpt from Stab out de Meat (1993) over shot of Dancehall Model, Queen Carlene, arriving at dancehall. Lady Saw talking about the models. Queen Carlene talking about the Dancehall versus Uptown Fashion Clash. Dancers. Cooper talking about the "transgressive" nature of dancehall in which women’s bodies are on display, and which she believes is a positive force. Queen Carlene on self expression. Dancers. Blackman on the importance of ragga culture to black lesbians who are allowed to be sexual with each other in this context. Commentary talks about the contradiction of the celebration of women in dancehall with their dismissal in hip hop. Young women who like hip hop are nevertheless upset by constant references to "bitches and whores".