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Reggae observations Canadian Version

10/21/2016

19 Comments

 
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With all of the rhetoric and opinions about the inclusion of reggae music in this country as a part of the fabric of the mainstream, there is information available to those who seek the truth of the situation.

Through conversation with ‘anyone’ within the genre and further discussion with Toronto Reggae’s Jason McLean who provided all of the visuals used here, “Canada deliberately blocks black culture, especially reggae music” is a topic raised hundreds of times.  HUNDREDS!  Yet like most things, the participants of the conversation have a programmed acceptance of their situation.

As usual, where white people rule, black humans have this sense of futility, as we throw up our hands in the air as it pertains to doing anything about our plight in life, including our music.  Canadian white society has the unique ability to smile in your face as it deliberately removes your rights as a human and tell you that “it’s just the way that it is”.  Their lack of respect for black people is only surpassed by their elitism and sense of entitlement.

Mary Margret McMahon is my poster child for these people.  This racist white councillor tried to sabotage Afrofest, a long standing festival celebrating African culture to the world.  It is easily one of the most fun things to do in the summer time for over a decade.  I wished it was still at Queen Park, but whatever!  This racist white woman, based on 8, EIGHT complaints, pushed hard to reduce the festival from two days down to one.  This one racist white woman is still in her function as a councillor for her Ward.  She is a tip of the racist, governmental iceberg which goes right to the prime minister’s office.

Yeah, many screamed and yelled and got the festival back to two days but the fact that this deeply racist white woman could threaten to half the festival time at her whim is beyond me.  White privilege makes others blind to what exactly she did wrong.  “She’s a councillor?  She has a right to make decisions?  It was about noise complaints, not a racist issue!”  That’s the bullshit white rhetoric and only entitled donkeys are confused about why it is disrespectful.

Fact:  The same sound company works for the Toronto Jazz Festival!  How come no noise complaints there?

No one is trying to limit the length of time of the jazz festival?  One need not ask why!  One festival is viewed as a black thing while the other (jazz) has assimilated well as a white thing, even though we are all aware of the black origins of jazz music.  It is all about perception.

No one questions Mary Margret McMahon!  Her superiors of John Tory, Kathleen Wynne nor Justin Trudeau haven’t any issue with this racist councillor.  They are all one family!  These people support, protect and endorse this racist behavior.

Whenever these folks tell you about music councils and advisory boards, they actually believe, based on their elitist history that we actually believe that they will make change to black music or even bringing up the term, “diversity in music” is an oxymoron where they let you know that your music is “diverse” and we are trying to include it to ‘ours’. 

Diverse?

For the musician and fan, music is music.  Blues, jazz, reggae, country, house, rock, hip hop and others is “music”.  Not a diversity situation!  Everything is music to us.  ‘They’ spend their time trying to come up with ways to pat themselves on their backs and make useless committees to pay more white people to come up with solutions for ‘music diversity’ issues but as you can plainly see, all of the money is to hire more servants to their system.  NOTHING comes to the artists or the genre!  They make committees to appease themselves so that they can say that they are working on things.  Give the committee the name of the thing that you are working on so that you can tell black humans, “see we are working on things”.

Anyone remember the term / word multiculturalism?  Best racist joke ever!

Another example (poster boy for white elitism) today is Councillor Jim Karygiannis of Ward 39 who wanted to ban Beyonce from coming to this country because her back up dancers wore costumes glorifying the Black Panther movement.  After racist boy got called out and like the snakey politician that he is, he denied saying it and would probably swear today that he said no such thing.  Most all racists are cowards!

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/02/09/toronto-councillor-stops-short-of-calling-for-beyonce-ban-in-canada/

For those other white Canadians that Jimmy Boy was trying to ‘protect’ from a group that many black people globally, including myself, glorify with pride, as the Panthers protected black communities from racist white policemen going around abusing and murdering black youth.  What’s Jimmy Boy saying?  He supports the shooting of black males?  That would not surprise me.  I wonder what the statistics are like in his ward as it pertains to incidents with the police for the black citizens there.  ‘Government’ won’t look into that.  Interesting that Jimmy Boy’s educational system didn’t inform him on the real story about the Black Panthers and their role in the militant protection of human and civil rights.

“Fellow councillor Giorgio Mammoliti agreed that her performance was “distasteful” and that her subtle message wasn’t all that subtle.”

This is 2016 and these are only three examples of white supremacist behavior in the lowest level of Canadian government.  I wonder how deep this goes.  Heck, we all already know.  It permeates through the entire society!  I have white “friends” and acquaintances that I can hang with in their environment but they would be uncomfortable and afraid if they were to hang with black lions I was chilling with.  That’s a fact!

It has to be said for those who know me, who the world call white, Jules will always love you.  I have those people I have met here over the last forty years whom I have deep love for and them for me.  The love is unquestioned!    They have already heard me rant and say all of this shit around them.  They are used to me.  We all see a truth and whether one accepts or denies it, that truth is always undeniable when observed by all, no matter station in life or color of skin.

It is always that uncomfortable silence because none of us wants to address it... Again!

I have no fear of dealing with this issue.  I left the corporate environment so that I could do this and speak freely.  If I was still employed there, they probably would have found a way to fire me in an attempt to shut me up.  Now I can speak freely because for all of her faults Canada does allow freedom of speech and there are some who have the ability and capacity for positive change.  It is them that I am trying to reach.  The one or two who are real and enlightened enough to call their fellow white citizens on their bigotry and to deal with all people in a respectful manner.  A human.  A humanitarian.  Not many do exist.

My mom always says, “Julian, you can catch far more flies with honey than you can with vinegar” and she is one hundred percent correct with that statement.  Yet I ain’t trying to “catch” any of these bigoted fellows, I am pointing out undeniable examples that many folks are already aware of.   There are hundreds of years of examples.  Repeating them is a useless distraction that continues to work to this very day.  I am not distracted!

“Stop doing and do!”

Get er done dude!

I love that statement.  “One is either doing a thing or one is talking.”

Over fifty years of reggae in this country and its participants are still begging for scraps?  “Aint nobody doing nothing!”  Just talk and rhetoric!  Hundreds of years of slavery have taught black humans to recognize the repeated behaviors through the decades and centuries and this one I know all too well.

There are some folks making some good money from reggae music as it pertains to festivals so you won’t hear them complaining.
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Where there is a complete disconnect, is for Canadians performing within the genre in this country.  There are no outlets for the Canadian reggae artist or the genre as a whole.

Our Ontario government spent the dollars to send Rob Ford (may he rest in Zion) down to Texas to find out why their festival / s are as successful with attendance and fiscal growth and the general consensus was that they invested in their local talent and that some of these folks actually earn a living from musical performance as well as sales opportunities to maintain a proper living.

Duuuuhhhhhh!

Really?  There’s a surprise!  They had to spend our hard earned tax dollars for pomp and pageantry to come up with a ‘solution’ that they already had the answers for?  Really?  Another useless expense; airfare, accommodation, food, transportation for a politician is at least $5,000 - $10,000 (someone said $60,000) for that trip that already has an obvious solution!

Invest in your local talent

It is something that Canadian decision makers used to do yet doesn’t happen anymore.  We were all diversely different yet celebrated reggae music together, no matter the differences.  This actually used to happen back in the day.  It isn’t that “they” don’t know or forgot how  to do it, they are just better at posturing, making up committees, then making obvious recommendations, yet zero investment into the genre or the artists through paid performances or selling product, more interested in telling us, “we’re working on it.”

Fuck “working on it!”

Whatever the money you spent to send Rob Ford to Texas and back you can put in my bank account instead.  I’ll promote positive reggae vibes and energy, conducive to the spiritual people that I like to hang out with.  The paradox of being human is to live and speak passionately yet gravitate to a truth that guides your path.  Many around me seek that energy and vibe.

Calculate the salaries of all of the people on any music committee / s, see what they earn hourly, multiply that by the hours that they meet, travel time to those meets, find that sum and give it to an artist, a producer, a studio, a restaurant promoting live musicians, once or twice a month and disband every fucking committee!  Just give that fiscal support to the people directly and not another government committee!

NO ONE is interested in the findings of any committee when we already have the solution to the issue.  Pay the people directly affected and slow down ‘government’.

Now, let’s be very clear.  I am not holding my arms out waiting for a hand out.  I have notoriously held jams and live performances over the years and still doing that to this very day!  My belief in some of the talent here makes my choice an easy one.

I’m just sifting through the fuckery for some of my friends and ‘fans’.   I spent a whole heap of words to blame government and useless committees yet in doing so, I shine the light of truth on myself as well.  Whoever guaranteed me success in business trying to promote a genre that is not accepted by the country that I live in?  What if I’m simply not a very good businessman?  What if I’m not creative enough to sift my way through the myriad of obstacles before me?  Who guaranteed anyone with success?  Those are also hard truths that I face up to about my attempts or contribution.  I’m doing something that I fulljoy and believe to be worth the time and effort.  “Success” is subjective whether spiritual or fiscal and can there be a path to both at the same time.

Maybe I just don’t get it?

The responsibility of the reggae soldier is to ferret out the truth and shine a light on it.  If the subject is chaste that becomes clear.  If they are tainted that also shows itself.

The epitome of this horseshit happened in the summer 2016 where live performances occurred in Nathan Phillips Square at lunch time sponsored by TD bank.

The same TD bank that seems to be behind the financing of the North Dakota pipeline. 

http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2016/09/12/vancouverites-occupy-td-to-oppose-standing-rock-pipeline.html

They paid a full band $400.00 for their hour long gig. FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS!  For six adult musicians!  That’s about 10 songs for the set, which can be about 3 hours rehearsal for each tune plus travelling time to rehearsals, gigs and studio time, times 6 members!  Once cannot actually put a fiscal amount in a ratio to time and talent but I’m pretty sure $400.00 don’t cut it!

Ok, moving on…

Their thing is to show the Toronto community that TD bank has the artistic interest of its people at heart. Right!

Nobody pays a band $400.00 with the budgets these corporations have.  Yet they pat themselves on the back because many of the bands are hungry enough for exposure and sales opportunities. (Same system at work as it pertains to their treatment of slaves). Corporations are experienced at enslaving whomever they wish. They have hundreds of years of practice and experience on their side!  TD is glad to wave the musicians around showing their humanitarian side as well as their ‘support for the arts’.

Billions of dollars (one article quoted $37 billion by several banks and corporations) invested in raping Native people in North Dakota and $400.00 per band for the arts in the summer in Toronto.

Well, karma is an interesting thing. On one such day, they invited Toronto's own Afrobeat / Reggae band, The Fugitive Minds to perform, a very socially conscious group of young brothers whose songs and albums cry out against oppression and seeking a better world within their lyrical content and personal lives. Someone at City Hall should have done their homework and read the band’s lyrics before hiring these brothers in reggae to perform at the venue.
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Jeremy Rempel, lead vox and guitar explained how the banking institution basically rapes the society in which we live by charging us to mint our own money as well as other sneaky corporate practices.

At the end of their performance, some City Hall official came down on Jeremy and the band and they were informed that "The Fugitive Minds will never play Nathan Philips Square ever again!"
Truth and righteousness make poor bedfellows for corporation profits yet a true reggae soldier speaks a truth when he or she is moved to do so and more often than not, the truth is always inconvenient to the corporation.

The few seconds of this song that I was able to capture is about homelessness. These youth care about the protection of the defenseless but is a prime example of this system that we are a part of.  Take your $400.00 and STFU and be grateful that we gave you a chance to play.
Where it is City Hall and the TD Bank who owe the band an apology for the shit pay and the reprimand, The Fugitive Minds may face negative repercussions on another trumped up charge from the power brokers.

None of these things are news to anyone.

None!

I am grateful to be able to witness these things and write about them to you. There used to be such deep anger on my part about their two faced treatment of black lions in Canada (I'm a tad slow spiritually) but I grew up and recognize that:

1. These doughnuts do not affect my / our God given talent / s so all I gotta do is keep bringing it and

2. Any focus that I may have on them and their constant distractions, takes away my creativity of bringing this talent forward.

We must eliminate these pricks from being responsible for our path, goals, successes, self esteem or accolades. No man determines your worth but ourselves.  Yes were are affected by positive and negative stimuli which may control  our responses of pride in self or shame yet the choice of how to respond is always on me, you, anyone, everyone.

I am calling on all music soldiers, no matter genre; create a movement of music to the people.  No one needs a government or a corporation for that.  They will find their way to get their profits but they cannot stop us from playing our music.

I’m saying that these committees, government folks can take a break from figuring out a thing that has no one code or solution.  The solution is outside the box and they are trying to use squares to figure out a circular thing.  Leave that creative work to creative people and focus on helping TD Bank rape more Native souls.

An undeniable truth:
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These images provided to us from the archives of Toronto Reggae www.torontoreggae.ca, shows a time when governments, corporate sponsors, mainstream radio stations and the Toronto community (Q107FM of all stations did reggae concerts) moved as one, and folks actually made a better living through music.

Click on the posters to expand and review.

This is a performance by Messenjah in 1985 in High Park, hosted by the CBC.  The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation if some don't know the acronym.  A government regulated station supported and promoted reggae music in '85.  They cannot say that they did not know.  They have done it before.  The corporate language will say, "we don't have the budgets for those sorts of things anymore" when in reality, priorities have changed to exclude this from Canadian culture.
19 Comments
david
10/24/2016 04:27:28 pm

.....arise from your sleep and slumber.......na' want dat thing..Babylon System IS the Vampire.........!

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Marc
10/25/2016 12:30:45 pm

Strange that I would arrive here excited to read a formal editorial about 2 things I love most, reggae and Canada (Toronto).

Odd that I would be so endlessly disappointed with how this article was covered.

My expectations aside, there is a whole lot of confirmation bias happening here, sure I am white so you may decide thay my being white will distort my view of ‘how things really are’.

Do with my colour as you will, but don’t forget for a second that I assume you know, that several reggae events in the city are attended primarily by Black people from various origins, but sprinkled in among the masses are non-Black people, and certainly not just white.

I’ve attended countless reggae events, shows and reasoning’s throughout the city.

Rastafest, if I am to believe your story at face value, is no different from the hundreds if not thousands of outdoor raves that were actually cancelled in the 90’s, bankrupting the promoters and ruining the plans of partygoers. I have personally attended an event that the door was broken down, and 50+ police officers came in guns drawn, flashlights at the end of their ‘long guns’, they beat the living shit out of anyone they could get their hands on. People were dragged out onto the street and lined up against the wall in -20 (windchill is a killer) weather.

All because a politician wanted to shut it down.

These same politicians actually shut those shows down for greater than a decade.

Rastafest however remains. A rave is objectively speaking as non-Black a musical event as it gets (still all people attend) So white doesn’t immediately mean approval.

TD has done its part, on the grounds of City Hall no less, to at least attempt to bring reggae music to the masses with world class acts for free for all Torontonians to enjoy. You can’t simply ignore this reality.

I will take your word for the $400 part, I am sure that Inner Circle didn’t get paid that sum. And if they did, they agreed to it because as you rightly pointed out that as a reggae man you seek to shine a light on the genre.

Jazzfest, I’ve been, didn’t care for the vibe, BUT clearly the marriage between the beaches community and the jazzfest management is solid. Why not simply do the same with Eglinton.

In the face of your confirmation bias with Jim and racist Margaret (which I don’t disagree with) lets not forget Jim Colle (Politician), who along with Jay Douglas championed the naming of Reggae Lane, with a mural and a historic placard commemorating the reggae story in Canada.

I will speak objectively, Jim Gary-‘I don’t care to spell his name right’ is one politician with a constituency that he panders to. Lest us not forget that Eminem and Action Bronson and Motley Crew have all been band in Toronto.

This is not just a reggae thing, and this is not just a black thing…this is a petty, pathetic Toronto politician thing. Including your beloved Rob Ford, who in the end brought an whole heap of nothing back from San Antonio.

But Rob at least respected reggae, that much I could see.

I agree with your mom; my white mom said the same shit to me. And like your mom, my mom was right.

I agree with you that at this stage of my life I too am not seeking to ‘catch’ anything, that being said I would never wish to meet the opportunity to meet someone new that I connect with. Also, as a father of a young son I can’t for the life of me rationalize spewing this mildly hateful rhetoric that you’ve written about.

There are phenomenal promoters that represent a new wave of reggae events for reggae lovers, not for Jamaicans, Rastas, old folk, white folk – just reggae fans.

I have been to old school promoted events, not always fun to be a white guy there, but I don’t go for those miserable people, I go for the music and I can happily tune out the bitter few that still see things by their colour code.

You can take this for what it is worth, I read your entire article and there is a fair amount that I agree with.

As someone that has witnessed first hand what white racism does to rationalize itself in the face of multiculturalism, their hateful rhetoric sounds and feels a whole lot like some of your comments. Seems both tents in the shit circus doesn’t believe the other guy has animals too.

Reggae music is one of the greatest gifts Jamaicans initially gave the world. That was 1940/50/60 – this is 2016.

As a European Canadian, I see videos of massive reggae events in Poland, Italy, Spain, Nigeria, California, England and piddly little events at lee’s Palace, the Docks or the Northern Spirit boat. Its embarrassing. You (all of us) cant seem to blame Babylon for this failure. Clearly our reggae promoters don’t have the money, don’t trust the fans, don’t have the energy or don’t care enough to hold a massive event.

Has Damian Marl

Reply
Marc
10/25/2016 12:31:22 pm

....Marley ever performed in Toronto, Bunny Wailer (in the last 15 years), Burning Spear hasn’t been here since the 90’s. But we continue to bring back Sizzla, I-Octane, and Bounty Killa.

One way to find out if the support is here, hold a massive event, bring the names, bring the bands, incorporate all people and see if reggae is ready to take its stage in the Torontonian worldview.

Reply
JuLion
10/25/2016 01:08:12 pm

Marc,

I thank you for taking the time to respond yet you do not really hope to rationalize my path or that of anyone you don't know?

Your experience of reggae in Canada has similarities that we share yet I see a different picture and landscape and your disappoint in my views are yours to deal with.

You become another distraction taking me from my path.

The crowds for reggae in Europe have happened in this country in the past so we do know that it exists as I have clearly shown.

That audience is readily available yet you and others may not see the same path hence the distraction continues.

I realize now my path, yours and theirs don't meet. I'm fine with that which is why I go my route and speak boldly.

I don't need agreement from you or anyone else. I have right to speak a truth as I see it and will continue to do so.

Many within this genre, black or white feel exactly what I am saying. It is based on over 30 years of experience.

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Marc
10/26/2016 04:33:36 pm

My comments and the fact that I follow and contribute to this discussion and other on varioua reggae media platforms should be testament that I care.

Sad that in all of my response you seemed to miss that I am as frustrated so you are with the state of support and leadership to truly guide people towards the consciousness that reggae music brings.

People who study reggae music allowing themselves to meditate on its message do better understand retain elements of African culture.


Reply
JuLion
10/26/2016 11:44:41 pm

Marc,

Not even sure why this feels like an argument. My points are clearly stated. Reggae music has many fans and you are obviously one yet based on your "disappointment" in my written opinions, I sense we truly don't walk the same path hence we are also obviously at odds. No need for the psychoanalysis though, my path remains the same to promote reggae as I see it.

Did you have a chance to check out any of the performances in the videos attached above?

sinead
10/28/2016 12:59:16 am

Marc, you don't get it. I read through your comments and you sound like the racist white councillors in Julian's article. I have black friends too. I've also been to a reggae show in Toronto. That doesn't automatically mean I can't be a racist. You are a racist, or at least you are perpetuating the stereo-type. You should re-read the article, then take a highlighter and go through your crap again and mark all the parts where you actually proved how natural it is for white people to say racist things without even realizing it.

To try and compare raves and other acts that were banned in Toronto to the reggae music scene, and to state that other, non-black, genres are also targeted in the same way as reggae and afro culture is, illustrates that you don't get it. You say you understand the reggae scene, but you don't seem to grasp the impact that reggae has had on the history of Toronto and vice-versa. Even though it's right there in the article. And to suggest that Afrofest should just relocate to Eglinton, I'll assume you don't mean the Jewish part, is to perpetuate the racist attitude being brought to light here. You are saying we should segregate our culture so that the people (aka the white people in the Beach) will be more comfortable and all the blacks can go shoot each other up in their own hood. Isn't that what you really mean?

Marc
10/28/2016 01:31:26 pm

Somewhere along the line someone takes the time to read an article, and post passionately about things that bring them great joy. family, culture, my city and of course reggae music.

And now I am a racist.

This is all very silly.

I wont even for a single second attempt to refute this claim, you are just plain wrong. Wrong in the worst sense of the word wrong. I really wish you would see just how wrong you are.

Consider Sinead that there is a very good chance that assuming you attend many reggae events, I the now racist reggae fan have skanked to the same local and international artists, in the same venues, had a great time. Scary thought. Don't jump the gun on your claims of someone you have never met, whose story you dont know.

I dont want to relocate Afrofest. I have no idea why you believe I said that. I want politicians to allow for greater access to events like Afrofest, including Afrofest. I went last year and it was phenomenal.

My mention of Eglinton was in direct response to Jazzfest comment. I felt that the Toronto reggae community could celebrate the Eglinton strip, by encorporating an outdoor reggae festival in the same way that Jazzfest has laid claim to the Beaches territory.

In general, I feel that Englinton deserves much more attention. Its a fantastic place to shop, eat, party...I live off Vaughan and Oakwood

Why would I mean the Jewish part? and what are you on about. I am obviously referring to roughly Eglinton at Oakwood and surrounding parts.

I dont understand the impact that reggae has had on Toronto? absolutely NONE of that is true.

I am not even for a second suggesting that any people at all, ever, should be segregated. I have no idea how you deduced that I wish for that to happen.

I've now re-read my comments and your reply and I think I am done with this....Sinead you have across the board miscategorized me, my feelings, my passions. Which is all very sad.



JuLion - I did watch the videos...I was there for the Willi Williams show. Willi is a friend, and a music legend. Good to know a man as talented as he settled in the GTA (Pickering) when his talent could have landed him anywhere in the world. I haven't yet had a chance to see Odel Johnson live, talented artiste indeed.




david
10/25/2016 10:49:38 pm

.there is a consciousness...seen and not seen. Africa and the flight of the slave traders. Born into DNA..........arising a perspective. This is a deep penetration...........reggae..the originator. Mr. Bob Marley, who brought forth the fruit of the tree..in a spiritual awakening to those who have ears..........stepped in spiritual scripture.Bless -up.....who haave ears hav' a' ear.......

Reply
JuLion
10/26/2016 04:17:12 pm

David,

Thank you for input.

Nuff babylon slaves thing that they know black culture because they listen to reggae music.

Reggae, Nyabinghi, RasTafari, smell the DNA of apartheid and have been educating the world of these injustices from time!

They are great in a song to listen and to sing along with yet when it comes to taking action within the time that we live, "they" call it "anger" or "hate", when in reality, it is my life, our lives that we live daily.

"Slave driver, the table is turned....
Catch your fire, you are going to get burned" Bob Marley

See how long we have been saying the SAME thing?

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david
10/26/2016 05:40:57 pm

Yes, yes..long time to rise in awareness..but it can't be unfortunately........it is not in the educational system. The machine we are living it lays waste to whatever it requires to manifest for it's own vanity so requires to manipulate to create small minds......just desiring organisms.......race wars. The Chinese don't like the Japanese and such and such. It is the cult of you and I. Not I and I. So they split the spirit at a young age. So instead of a rising there is a slow and steady narrowing of our growth potential as humans so it becomes that from looking at the whole. We appear to be a species of parasites. There was a split long time past. What I know not. Something that brought into play this great deception. If we cannot extract ourselves from it, we will one day all perish. In some form of thought we consider ourselves to be creatures of the Divine.......well how blind are we......what manner of how we attend to each other would even give a reasonable soul to think that our so called prayers are those of hypocrites.......The ALL MOST SUPREME RULER.....has no distinction of class......say what ! Watching, watching through his appointed administrations. Straight up if we are out to destroy each other.....Don't expect intervention, free will/ you remember......we as a species are destroying what is our inheritance while being here.....what's wrong with this picture. Roots reggae...more like a teaching for one's own inner being then a manifestation for a global change. The greed that is manifesting presently round about us, the destruction, the violence....seems like total distruction the only solution ....as far as reggae venues greed and aravice everywhere....Stand strong in spirit. Rasta.

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david
10/26/2016 05:47:14 pm

No one can know the footsteps a race has travelled...and the deep impact and perspective of each....we must ascend to understanding.......the educational system should have mandatory anthropology starting in grade one on a simple level onward.tear down the walls.........seems too late.....and with the technology with everyone walkng with head down on i-phones.well they have really shrunk the mind to a little point....bien oui.....

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Marc
10/26/2016 05:53:36 pm

This is absolutely true....Anthropology taught at the earliest levels would change the face of intolerace, racism and the "othering" that so so many, far too many human rely on.

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david
10/27/2016 07:14:47 pm

..don't say I disagree, perspectives understood.....slow down government..by all means...

JuLion
10/26/2016 11:08:31 pm

Exactly D, so instead of seeking permission like I have been programmed to do, I do choose free will whenever and wherever necessary and that time is now on I journey.

Will allow none of "them" to explain my plight, my history or my "anger" to me.

Reggae / RasTafari only knows that path seeking a truth so I try to focus on that truth. It isn't for everyone.

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david
10/27/2016 07:17:27 pm

Respect to the Lion.........who feels it knows it....not intellect perspective....

david
10/26/2016 06:31:55 pm

do the mathematical equation on the growth and demise of civilizations.....well we have a global one now..so if it falls .well you do the math.....!

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Jbass link
3/16/2017 02:00:15 pm

Our beloved Brother Raffa would often tell us "Reggae gone leave Jamaica and rules the World!"
I hear Reggae on "top 40" pop charts, I hear it in modern jazz, I hear the influence on RnB, I hear international hit after hit all Reggae based. I don't think the problem is international. Toronto's decline in importance to the collective scene can be directly traced back to the closing of the Reggae Landmark Venue, "The Bamboo Club"... That was pretty much the nail in the coffin of local performance. There are too few venues, too many talented artists to advantage what opportunity exists. For better or worse Reggae is "International" now, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram aren't bound by borders. The opposition you describe is real, but inconsequential in the scope of the "world market"...as artists we can't succumb to "navel gazing" and bemoaning the hardships of the lack of "brick and mortar" venues...I was fortunate to get guidance from local Legends like "R-Zee Jackson", Chester Miller, Adrian Miller, Gary Lowe, etc. These men straight up would say "Rasta not easy, Rasta a soldier!"... We don't give up, we don't let the system dilute our energy. We continue to press. I always enjoy your viewpoint and conversation JuLion...perhaps some of the disfunction in our Toronto scene is more "self afflicted" then we care to admit. Thanks to respected elders and community leaders like yourself we should remind ourselves of the talent and history of our artists and look forward to making an even more vibrant and expressive Reggae collective that will represent Toronto on the "world stage".

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JuLion
3/16/2017 03:17:48 pm

Yes family JBass!

Thank you for taking the time to chime into this. Yours is a respected voices to I man.

As to the "local" scene, I don't seek "their" help or support. I am pointing out that they know the difference and have already done it because WE were all there at the same time!

They know exactly what to do to develop any business. It isn't rocket science.

I point out their negative path because some either do not know or refuse to admit to it, yet it is I path to let them know seh I man know JBass!

I will be complicit to their game!

Reggae is already global whether they in the game or not. So is RasTafari and so am I.

Blessings reggae soldier JBass as we walk this battlefield of babylonian life.

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