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This Petition to improve the Quality of Life of
The Rastafari Elders of Jamaica. When you love
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DUBROOM
ARTICLE SECTION |
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| RasTafari
Babylon by Aaron Judah |
| Introduction:
It has been my personal experience, after
extended research and interaction with
individuals that classify themselves as
Rastafari, that the movement of RasTafari is
plagued by the same social and spiritual
illnesses that they claim to be chanting
down. All RasTafari fall under this
classification? Certainly not. No more than
all Christians, Muslims, and Jews can be
pigeon-holed and/or generalized. However,
there is enough truth in this statement to
warrant my remarks here.
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Allow me to point out 3 areas that prove my point:
Race, Organization, and Sectarianism.
Race: “Until the philosophy that holds one race
superior and another inferior…” Excellent
words from HIM, Haile Selassie I. Thanks to the
artistic interpretation of this speech by Bob
Marley, this RasTafari call for equanimity has
been heard throughout the world. And yet, the
sword of Jah should cut both ways.
How is it justifiable for the non-white
population, systematic receiver of oppression by
the white population, to, in turn use the tactics
of the oppressor as a means of falsifying their
own rights to degrade another human being solely
on the basis of the color of their skin? Two
negative actions/reactions added together can
never create a positive situation.
According to the definitions of the term
“racism” that I have seen, it is not possible
for a black person to be racist due to the lack of
economic and political power in the possession of
the non-white majority. However, to assume the
same posture of misinformation, unfounded
statements of inferiority, exclusion solely based
on skin color, etc. is racism by action if not by
definition. Racism is an undeniable reality that
should not be tolerated in any form by any person.
Everyone person, organization and institution
should be critiqued to determine if their actions,
beliefs, ideologies are tainted by the canker of
“racism.” Every person, organization and
institution.
Organization: There is absolutely nothing wrong
with individuals assembling together around a
common purpose or belief. That is a
natural/organic process. However, what should be
said about a RasTafari organization that is
structured and functions in the same manner as a
Babylonian stock exchange or PR firm or Western
church?
I understand the concept of being, “in the
world, but not of it,” working within a system
and not becoming a part of it. This is how most
spiritual people are forced (by society) or
commanded (by doctrine/instruction) to live. The
problem that I see is when a RasTafari
organization uses the same Babylonian techniques
of social pressure and intimidation to achieve
their goals of spiritual domination (colonization)
as their Rome forebears that they are supposedly
chanting down at their meetings.
Organization is not automatic proof of
“rightness.” A hierarchy of watchmen and
overseers doesn’t prove the validity of an
organization nor does it lend any special validity
to the edicts that it may issue. If RasTafari is
an inborn concept, it is up to the individual to
determine the “rightness” of his or her
actions. As I have watched the internal struggles
of EWF and other organizations attempt to
establish themselves as an authoritative voice
amongst RasTafari, I am fascinated by how closely
their activities resemble the very same political
parties, churches and institutions that they claim
to be opposed to. They are very quick to site
their RasTafari pedigree in the form of elders
that support them, influential members in their
organizations, the proximity of their group to the
foundations of RasTafari, etc. Again, RasTAfari is
an inborn concept. Individuals will/should
recognize the rightness of a particular house,
mansion or ideology because they identify with it
internally. All of this external posturing
mentioned above is Babylonian propaganda.
Sectarianism: Hair, food, drink, marijuana,
national origin, Jesus, Western or Eastern
philosophy, skin hue, etc. The innumerable list of
divisions put forth by innumerable groups that
purportedly delineate what is/is not RasTafari is
as endless as it is meaningless. From its
inception, RasTafari has been eclectic. One simply
has to study the paths of Dunkley, Hibbert and
Howell to witness very different spiritual
trajectories as they sought to work out their
faith and witness of HIM, Haile Selassie I as the
225th descendant of the Israelite king. All of
them held varying beliefs concerning the topics
listed in the opening sentence of this section.
Who is so foolish as to attempt to absolutely
channel the energy of and control the direction of
a liberation movement? The key word here is
liberation: Freedom.
There seems to be a popular mantra amongst certain
RasTafari. “RasTa don’t deal with no ism,
schism.” This appears to be a popular phrase
that doesn’t carry much weight as far as
attempting to actualize the concept that it
presents. RasTafari is equally full of isms and
schisms that are dogmatically defended by their
various proponents. This is a mirror replication
of any number of political/social/spiritual
systems that RasTafari professes to “chant
down.”
Conclusion: I believe that RasTafari is a powerful
tool of liberation that has the power to raise the
consciousness of its adherents and liberate them
from the trappings of Babylon. I also believe that
many approach RasTafari with a distinctly Western
mindset that looks for ways to use the RasTafari
movement to selfishly achieve it own goals of
control and self-aggrandizement.
RasTafari is a cloak. Some use it as a covering of
protection against Babylon while others use it as
a covering to conceal their selfish Babylonian
intentions in the guise of liberation rhetoric. I
am opposed to this second group mentioned as
wolves in sheep’s clothing. Babylon dressed in
red, gold and green is still Babylon and should be
recognized as such. RasTafari.
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