Swiss Reggae Band Sparks Debate About Cultural Appropriation
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Forced to interrupt its concert in a brasserie in Bern, the Lauwarn group is at the heart of a controversy that would like to see the musicians’ dreadlocks cut off.
While performing in the branchy Brasserie Lorraine in Bern on July 18, the local group Lauwarm was forced to interrupt its concert. In question? The discomfort of some people in the assembly, accusing the artists of cultural appropriation. The Swiss daily Time reports that some of them seemed bothered by the fact that the artists, white, sing reggae and wear dreadlocks. They would have informed the managers of the establishment who, after discussing it with the musicians, decided to stop the performance altogether. Since then, the incident has sparked a heated debate in the country on the issue of cultural appropriation.
On the site of their establishment, the managers reacted among the first. “Our little neighborhood bistro, located in the heart of Lorraine [ndlr, quartier au nord du centre-ville de Berne], has been the subject of unexpected attention in recent hours. Our social networks are currently flooded with comments, some of which are massively racist and do not contribute to a constructive discussion, they write. It is obvious that the theme of cultural appropriation is of great social relevance and very topical. We are aware of the charge and the emotion it arouses and it seems all the more important to us to talk about it”.
No question of cutting the dreadlocks
For its part, the group spoke to the Swiss media Blick through the voice of its singer Dominik Plumettaz: “I find it important to discuss cultural appropriation. Although it is of course a shame that this discussion is taking place because of such an incident». Preferring to talk about“inspiration”the musician adds: “A lot of people don’t know what cultural appropriation is.». In the columns of Timeit develops: “We make reggae in Bärndutsch (Bernese German, editor’s note), with our texts, and not with texts borrowed from Jamaican culture or Jah Rastafari”.
As for the dreadlocks worn by some members of the group, no question of cutting them, even if they understand “it may disturb”. “We have also received positive feedback directly from Jamaica that Jamaicans are totally ok with our band members sporting this rasta hairstyle”argues Dominik Plumettaz.
The Huffington Post also reports that the incident is now taking a political turn as young activists from the Swiss UDC (Union Démocratique du Center, a conservative and nationalist Swiss political party), have announced that they want to take legal action for “anti-white racism”. from Bistrot Lorraine. Asked about the question by Blick the singer of the group replied that “young SVPs are taking the opportunity to win over voters; it’s completely off the mark». “It’s not about us, or Brasserie Lorraine, but about people of color and the theme of racism.” he added.
SEE ALSO – Bangladeshi crooner told by police to stop slaughtering national repertoire
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