July 30, 2001 - August 12, 2001
Time Interview with Dr. Ali Treki on African Union
Posted: Sunday, August 12, 2001
Libya has pulled off something of a diplomatic coup. Catching more powerful rivals like Nigeria and Egypt by surprise, Colonel Muammar Ghaddafi's regime has quickly marshaled many of the nations of the continent behind a plan to establish an African Union. The proposed political and economic bloc, which is set to replace the 38-year-old Organization of African Unity, is designed to more effectively manage the continent's affairs as well as its relations with the rest of the world. If all goes to plan, the Union's executive council, parliament, court of justice, peacekeeping force and financial institutions will foster greater cooperation, end wars, promote prosperity and evolve into a single political body to rival NAFTA and the European Union. As Africa's leaders gathered in Libya this week to discuss the Union, Dr. Ali Treki, the Libyan secretary for African unity, spoke to TIME Cairo bureau chief Scott MacLeod about the future of the continent.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,101184,00.html
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Ngo Forum Declaration Working Draft For Durban
Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2001
Declaration:
i. Sources, Causes, Forms And Contemporary Manifestations Of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And Related Intolerances
ii. Victims Of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And Related Intolerance
iii. Measures Of Prevention, Education And Protection Aimed At The Eradication Of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And Related Intolerance At The National, Regional And International Levels
iv. Provision Of Effective Remedies, Recourse, Redress, Compensatory And Other Measures At The National, Regional And International Levels
v. Strategies To Achieve Full And Effective Equality, Including International Co-Operation And Enhancement Of The United Nations And Other International Mechanisms In Combating Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And Related Intolerance, And Follow-Up
(Click URL for relevant links)
http://www.racism.org.za/documents/declaration/index.htm
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
How can the Rastafarian movement benefit all people?
Posted: Thursday, August 9, 2001
( Omawali ) How do you feel the Rastafarian movement can benefit all people?
From what I read, it is the African movement that gave rise to all the other movements from since Marcus Garvey. So how come Marcus Garvey and the General African Movement is not given serious consideration in the Rastafarian Movement, notwithstanding the fact that is African researchers and activists who brought most of European fallacies to light. Why is it necessary to keep the two apart when there is the same call for African Unity?
________________________________________________________
( Jeff ) Thank You for being open, having manners, and showing Respect! Some people, including some Rastas themselves (here on the internet especially), seem to leave their manners, honesty, and Respect at the door. ;-)
This is my own personal testimony, as I can only speak for myself and my own experiences with the Rastafari Movement. I am a male of European descent, with pale skin and a German-Lutheran background. I learned of Rasta from a religious standpoint, seeing Haile Selassie I as Jesus the Christ returned LITERALLY. My views have changed since then as I see the more mystical side of Christ and what it means to find JAH within. Along my Trod with Rastafari, I have also been awakend to the reality of racism and oppression, not only of Africans, but many people around the globe. But the thing I learned most about, that I was never taught in school or by my parents, was Black Consciousness and African history. Rasta really opened my eyes with the truth of European colonization, Imperialism, and slavery. Through rastafari, I have been awakened to the sad reality of racism here in America, through many Reasoning both online and off. About 2 years ago, on another message board, some very heated Reasonings went down, and my eyes were opened even more. Back in high school, when I was first learning about Rasta, 13 year ago, I started asking my Dad things like, "What if Jesus was Black?" He didn't know what to say, and thought I was involved with something that was turing my brain away from all that I had been taught. It scared the crap out of him! Now I have learned him a bit on the reality of the times, and the reality of our own hgistory here in America that many, many white people would like to soon forget. I even learned that my grandfather, who was a Lutheran minister, was chased out of his church in Texas for trying to desegregate it! Must run in my blood. (smiles)
Rastafari has also opened me up to other Spiritual Livities that the church kept me blinded to through labels such as "pagan" "heathens" and "unbelievers". I have learned a great deal about Livities throughout our Human Race, and think it a great shame when other Rastas use the same bullshit Western Christian mentality in regards to our Spiritual Kinsmen! What a waste of the precious tapestry of Life that JAH has given to us! I was so inspired by a speech from His Majesty that I am going to teach at a community college classes about REAL HISTORY, and comparative religious studies. I feel that my Life can be used as a tool for the greater purpose of Humanity. Wake people up to all that is going on out there! Taking the planks out of their eyes....
Rastafari has also helped me see the brutality of industrialized, mass-produced animal consumption, the danger of drugs, and the nessecity of getting back to the basics with the Earth that the Creator has given to us.
I know that if Rastafari has Inspired me personally in all the ways that it has, then it can be of help to others as well. I don't push anything on others, and get irritated when Rastas try and do that crap. Too much like colonialistic mentality to me! I am just going to use my Life, which has been so Inspired by Rastafari, to help in the progression of not only African Peoples, but all peoples of the HUman Race.
People can go on and on with Bible verses, who or what Selassie I means to them, etc etc....but only by the works of the hands, and the meditations of the Heart can a Truely Righteous individual be known.
JAH LOVE
Jeff
________________________________________________________
( Omawali ) Brother, there is a lot to work out and I strongly feel that most Rastafarians do not really know the true history of the Rastafarian movement coming out of Jamaica, the role of Marcus Garvey and the meaning of 'Ras' before the birth of the modern popular movement. I am trying to find out if there is a general consensus among Rastafarians that Christianity, be it through Jewish or other interpretations, is the only way to evaluate history and the cultural values of other people even African people who are tied to a richer legacy could be easily dismissed.
As a student of history I went through all the speeches and the history of Selassie and in my opinion (if I am entitled to have one on this forum) he did not say any new inspiring thing that cannot be found in the works of people like Garvey, the philosophies of Dogon people, the rich legacy of Egypt (before the first Europeans conquered there), the ancient Africans of India, China etc.
All these moral and ethical values were available long before the Jews, the Christians and even the Rastafarian movement. Is it not a type of disrespect to dismiss the earliest people who gave these messages to humanity and to give the impression that they originated with Selassie or the Rastafarian Movement?
The natural lifestyles - like what can be found on IanI Website - with all the experiences with the forces of nature, existed long before even the word Rastafari and certainly long before the modern movement. How could anyone try to claim that these natural ways and realizations that came from those states can be credited to any one group of Africans and not the common states of mankind?
The ancient Egyptians said "Man Know Thyself" (this was a Greek translation) and Rastafarians today say one have to know "I and I" which to me means the same thing. How could one be modern and the other obsolete and why don't some Rastafarians understand they are the same things?
The only major difference to me is language and the lack of understanding of the meaning of different cultural expressions (and European misunderstandings and deliberate distortions).
If people do not want to discuss these things then all this talk about spirituality is a waste and the Religion will not be properly understood.
________________________________________________________
( Jeff ) I have clipped and pasted from your post in order to bring some clarity to the Reasonings.
>Brother, there is a lot to work out and I strongly feel that most Rastafarians do not really know the true history of the Rastafarian movement out of Jamaica, the role of Marcus Garvey and the meaning of 'Ras' before the birth of the modern popular movement<
Yes, lots of work to do, both locally and globally. Even the smallest act helps in the larger scheme of things. And yes, many so-called Rastas do not know of Garvey, or Ethiopian-ism in jamaica that led to the birth of the Rastafarian Movement in Jamaica. And I would like to add to that, that Rasta is an evolutionary process, always growing and not getting stuck. Rasta is growing, and because of this, has many, many issues to deal with as it become cross-cultural. "Ras" means "Prince", and that is what Rastas consider themselves: Princes (sons) and Princesses (daughters) of His Imeprial Majesty.
>I am trying to find out if there is a general consensus among Rastafarians that Christianity, be it through Jewish or otherwise Interpretations, is the only means for evaluating history and the cultural values of other people even Africans who are tied to a richer legacy.<
History is just what it is, no matter what lenses it is viewed through. As the saying goes: there is three sides to the story, your side, my side, and the Truth. And I personally feel it a shame that many Africans deny the Ancient African Jews both in Ethiopia and other places on the African continent. I also would have to say that most Rastas that I know personally would never deny the rich African history, religion and culture, through all it's diversity and differences. Even before the advent of Western, European Christianity (aside from Ethiopia, of course) there was many, many wyas and beliefs, tribes, languages, ethnicities, and cultures throughout the African continent. I do feel that many African Americans that are trying to reach back to Africa for their Roots deny this reality. Africa was never a utopian place, as there is craziness and sin everywhere the Human Race dwells. The first African slave sold was a servant of the Ashante King, to the Portugese, for want of guns and power. The devil knows no boundries my Brother.
>As a student of history I went through all the speeches and the history of Selassie and in my opinion (if I am entitled to have one on this forum) he did not say any new thing inspiring that cannot be found in the works of people like Garvey, the philosophies of Dogon people, the rich legacy of Egypt (before the first Europeans conquered there), the ancient Africans of India, China etc.<
As a student of history myself, I totally and whole-heartedly agree. Much, much history found everywhere on earth. There is no "this-or-that" when dealing with Life, too many complexities involved for such over-simplifications.
As far as the working of JAH, JAH has been manifested in the physical many times throughout history, in my personal view of things. When rasta say that HIM was before Creation, one has to realize that HIM=JAH for the Rastafari Brethren, so therefore it is not untrue to make that claim that HIM was before creation. HIM represents, to the mystical Rasta, JAHS physical manifistation, so therefore we are speaking of the Eternal as seen through the physical existence of Haile Selassie I.
>The natural lifestyles - like what can be found on IanI Website - with all the experiences with the forces of nature, existed long before even the word Rastafari and certainly long before the modern movement. How could anyone try to claim that these natural ways and realizations that came from those states can be credited to any one group of Africans and not the common states of mankind?<
I personally see it as the common natural state of mankind. I don't go with the over-simplification of Life, seen?
>The ancient Egyptians said "Man Know Thyself" (this was a Greek translation) and Rastafarians today say one have to know "I and I" which to me means the same thing. How could one be modern and the other obsolete and why don't some Rastafarians understand they are the same things?<
InI=JAH in Man. And when Man knows thyself, they will know JAH. Truth can never be obsolete.
>If people do not want to discuss these things then all this talk about spirituality is a waste and the Religion will not be properly understood.<
The reason Rastas say that Rasta is not a religion, is due to it's lack of organization, dogma, creed, bishops, etc. To the many Rasta, these things only bring corruption, poli-tricks, and power play. And yes, I do agree that the many facets of Reality need to be Reasoned and learned. Ignorance is bliss, but is also our downfall.
JAH LOVE
Rastafari
Jeff
________________________________________________________
( Omawali ) I can easily go along with most of what you have said for now and I hope you can understand that as a student of history even though I am an African I hold no one greater than myself as it is myself (inner essence) that has to do all the reasoning to traverse this life. I respect the truth of everyone and I detest the notion that something should be accepted as fact without a reasonable explanation. (For the fundamentalists)
In my earlier Coptic studies 'Ras' had a different but loftier meaning, which I would share when I put my hands on my old Coptic texts.
I also feel the real meaning of the word religion is lost to many people. The word religion was coined from the Latin root words "RE" which means "BACK" and "LIGON" which means "to hold, to link, to bind." Therefore, the essence of true religion is that of linking back, specifically, linking people back to an original source.
A practical way to accomplish this would make interesting discussion, but it certainly cannot be about understanding any one group of people but an overall understanding of the relationship of all of life to the whole. This has to be done from the human aspect all the way back to the source in order for people to be truly conscious. (Again this is my view.)
Some of us may have a head start because of how we viewed life and the choices we made in relation to other humans and nature. To me the keys are improving one's character and understanding history through a guided multidisciplinary approach.
In my view everything else is pointless. I hope others share their views on this and not feel that exploring more is disrespect to a belief. Actually it is the only "respectful" (will define later) thing to do.
________________________________________________________
( IanI Rastafari ) Irie Ites Bredren an Sistren
Let me see if I can give the I's some clarification as to Rastafari. As me say before Rastafari is a Wisdom. With that Wisdom comes a realization of living Life. IanI do not con-form to "religions" or "worships" or "dogma" of any organized "belief system". IanI look into the Heart/Mind, knowing that the Almighty Creator has endowed each and every One with this Wisdom. It is merely a matter of the Realization of this Truth, that Forwards IanI to the Higher Heights of this Awareness.
With this Awareness and Wisdom comes the Forward Movement. And the Forward movement brings IanI to the Roots of Life and Living. Life in Harmony with all other Life and Creation. Seeing Nature as the pure and simple gift of the Creator in which the Creative Force of Love is manifested. Peoples have been forever Living this harmonious Life, but many have been led astray by the lure of Babylon. That is, the corruption caused by greed and vanity, lust and desire.
This overstanding and Livity can only help Humanity to leave behind the ways of the wicked that enslave the peoples minds and bodies. That keep the peoples in a perpetual state of want and longing. That con-vince the peoples that them be worthless and this peoples be better or of more value than that peoples!
The Wisdom of the Ages has been with IanI forever and no Rasta would reject them bredren and sistren from any of the roots peoples of indigenous Africa, or any other part of the earth! IanI Rastafari give great respect to them that Live Life in Natural Harmony with the earth. Seen.
There were those in Jamaica, Omawali, that came to the awareness that the British rule and the British life-style and 'religion' was a grotesque corruption of the Natural State of Being. And the colonialization and downpression of the African people, in Africa as well as in the diaspora, was finally brought to light for its wickedness, and not it's "civilization" and "redemption" of an already fine people. And so, those that saw the corruption, left. Left it all behind! Rejected it's lifestyle, it's form of government and it's religion. Rather than accepting the white British king... IanI peoples rejoiced in the news that Africans have a King! It must be overstood what the African slave children in this caribbean had been brainwashed with in education and government and religion. This island small majority of white British wealthy ones were harshly ruling a vast majority of black, poorly educated, terribly religiously brainwashed, Africans. Rastafari view bredren such as Marcus Garvey with the greatest of respect. He is looked upon as a prophet by many. There is no seperation of IanI, but realize that there are those that simply wish to take on the cloak of British thought and "civilization" and destroy the people that live simply and naturally. And IanI Rastafari cannot and do not and will not accept that!
I be hoping that this can make some of Rasta Livity more clear. I always welcome reasoning that leads to positive overstandings. Seen.
Guidance and Protection
IanI Rastafari
From the Rastafari Speaks Message Board
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Are Rastafarians Confusing?
Posted: Monday, August 6, 2001
( Dredeye ) If you feel you are seeking a perspective from Rasta people, I am more than willing to share my own views to dispel any confusion you have experienced from other people. I respect your sense of urgency in terms of establishing a sensible discourse about Rastafari so please feel free to respond at anytime.
Give thanks and praises to the Most High Jah Rastafari! His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I the revealed kingly character of InI true savior Yehoshua(Hebrew name for Jesus)
Dredeye Knight Out!
________________________________________________________
( Akinkawon ) Brother, search for the true meaning of those words, Yehoshua and Jesus, they have African originals.
Examine Jewish history and see how they have become lost for not getting the African meaning to the words they use. Yes brother, their entire doctrine has an African originality but is lost to them and all who copy them.
________________________________________________________
( Dredeye ) I know Yehoshua means "God is salvation" in Hebrew. But my brother Akinkawon, what African orignal name are you speaking of? Amongst the thousands of different cultures and languages, the names and the words that describes the manifestations of Jah are many. Yehoshua was living example of Jah but so were other Africans throughout history. I also agree that much of Hebrew(which does differ from Jewish culture)has been influenced by Ancient Kemetic rituals and practices. If you don't mind, could you please give a little jump start in finding some of these names and their sources. Give thanks sharing your POV, it only helps to affirm InI as the chosen in the sight of the Most High.
Dredeye Knight Out!
________________________________________________________
( Akinkawon ) The way some Rastas hold on to these Jewish and Christian stories it comes over as if Africans had no concept of these things.
It is not so much the names you choose but how and why you use them and if those words give you a clear understanding of what you are holding on to. I agree it is popular folktale to claim that Joshua and Jesus carry the same meaning but in Jewish history/folktales Joshua was a tribal leader whom the Jews were trying to make into the Egyptian concept of a savior.
In both Jewish and Egyptian history (the Jews copied from the Egyptians) the leaders were two characters, one was a leader of the people (like a king) and the other was a spiritual leader.
In modern Judaism and Christianity they lost the meaning of these two figureheads that was derived from Egypt, where they had a spiritual guide/leader/high-priest and a leader for the daily affairs of the society. Very often one would read of the pharaoh consulting with the Spiritual leader in the temple before making important decisions.
In Jewish history, Joshua was a warring leader assisting them in overrunning other tribes. So they held this character in high esteem. He may have been their idea of a savior in their quest for land. But for the people who were looted and killed in that drive, he was something else.
But on the other hand if one study the origin of the word Jesus is was a corruption of the Greek Iesous, which was, coined from the late Egyptian Horus, which means the same savior and can be traced back to the earlier Egyptian word Heru (Savior). When heru was used as a verb, it meant to save. The word hero in English was derived from the Greek heros, which came from the Egyptian heru - to save. That word can be traced back to an earlier word meaning the same life saving forces of the Universe.
There is more to this but I recommend people try to investigate what they hold on to and not come over like hard-line Christian fundamentalist; least they discourage others from sharing.
Please do not expect to find this in modern dictionaries.
________________________________________________________
( Dredeye ) Peace Akinkawon,
I agree with your statements. Let us not be deceived by filtered names and history that only masks our true history as Africans, the true creators and forerunners of highly developed civilizations.Again, Iman speaks for Iself when Iman say that Kemet is the root of all major civilizations including Israel. But even before there was Kemet in all of its profound glory, the ancient civilizations of Nubia which is based at the 1st cataract of the Nile(Blue Nile)were thriving. What is the current location of Nubia, Ethiopia and the Sudanese area East African areas. Basically, the land of the sun-burned faces.
I don't really know the how ancient Nubians practiced or worshipped their own higher beings but even still they influenced Kemetic culture. Matter of fact, I was watching a documentary one time on Discovery channel, and they were breaking down how there were smaller protype versions of pyramids that stand to this very day found in the central east african region of the continent. Who built them? Why? InI built them, why? I don't know but the knowledge is within, InI just have to find the same creativity, faith, and ingenuity to remember those lessons and skills.
My brother Akinkawon, InI are rootsmen. InI come from the ground of the so that the Most High put certain elements together to make His sheep(InI) tend to the earth in all of its beautiful and natural glory. Unfortunately, thru the course of thousands of years we have lost track of that great and powerful mental and spiritual knowledge. To InI, Rastafari is a way to attain that knowledge by rejecting the death and destruction that Babylon has InI plugged into daily and begin to reconstruct the great civilization of old but better. Because now we will not underestimate the abilities of the evil forces that combat us from acheiving this mighty goal. Europeans and our own black people have shown InI that.
I apologize for writing so much, but for Iman, once all the different ideological barriers are broken and all of InI to see InI's true stake in life and history, they won't matter much cuz they are all different ways of identifying with and acheiving the spirtual heights that we are capable of.
Rastafari Love
________________________________________________________
( Akinkawon ) Write as much as you wish.
I do not understand what you are trying to say here; "Let us not be deceived by filtered names and history that only masks our true history as Africans, the true creators and forerunners of highly developed civilizations."
I specifically wrote in reference to the use of Joshua and Jesus. Some may feel this is unimportant but how would you like it if someone controlled the media, documented that George Bush is the savior of mankind, then kill all the people who know better and future children are left to grow up with this propaganda as if it was a divine truth.
They would be all singing praises to a hoax and cannot become enlightened from the repetition of that lie. If they do not get access to better information, they would have to return to the land and live naturally to start realizing basic truths. (Most people should do this as a primary discipline to higher learning.)
Also, I do not accept that high civilization started with Egypt or Nubia. When I hear people with this I immediately question what they call civilized. The West is still to develop civilization if the character of people and not their material possessions measures it.
For me human civilization started with the earliest aboriginal humans, and along the way many people became uncivilized and some returned to brief periods of civilization.
________________________________________________________
( Dredeye ) I'm assuming this was the basis of your question below:
"I do not understand what you are trying to say here; "Let us not be deceived by filtered names and history that only masks our true history as Africans, the true creators and forerunners of highly developed civilizations."
I specifically wrote in reference to the use of Joshua and Jesus. Some may feel this is unimportant but how would you like it if someone controlled the media, documented that George Bush is the savior of mankind, then kill all the people who know better and future children are left to grow up with this propaganda as if it was a divine truth"
Okay Akinkawon. This is my overstanding of what you are asking. First of all, when you are trying to explain the true meaning behind Joshua and Jesus, I'm kind of got lost where you are coming from. Originally you asked about why Rasta people use the false term of Jesus only. Then I explained to you that the true name of so called Jesus is "Yehoshuah" which means (Yahweh is salvation) I'm not sure where the name Joshua came in but for now let InI deal with Yehoshua. If you research in a Jersulam Bible which provides linguistic and historical context for the scriptures it will tell you the Hebrew name for Jesus. (Check in Matthew, it should reveal something in the frist reference to "Jesus") I agree that the name Jesus Christ is a "filtered name" and his message and history has also been tampered with as well. If you diagree that Yehoshuah is his real name, please correct me by showing what substantiates the African name of the man many have known to be called Jesus the Christ or Jesus of Nazareth.
Secondly, your definition of civilization may be different than my own. Yet, Ancient Kemet and Nubia are still considered to be "High Civilizations" based upon the levels of social, political, economic, scientific, and spiritual interaction and expansion they acheived. Aborginals' history also supports humankind's place of origin in Africa. But name one a group that developed a complex language and writing system that baffles many African and European scholars til this very day. Name any aboriginal society that have fortified structures that have yet to determined exactly how they were built.
Aboriginal were nomadic at times and sustained fewer numbers within their groups because of a lack of basic viable resources(food and water). Ancient Kemet and Nubia were built upon a major water source(the Nile) that helped to yield an abundance of crops that fueled the livlihood of more people at one time. Iman speak for Iself, but this is what Iman define as "High civilization". Not to demean aboriginal civilization because they were the beginnings of Nubians, Mesopatiamians, etc. But there was also a significant development of human nature in order for aboriginals to evolve to humans of Ancient Kemet or Nubia.
________________________________________________________
( Sandra ) Mr Dredeye Knight
Please think about Akinkawon's last response and seriously tell me if knowing what is right and wrong does not matter.
Remember, you said you were opened to discussion so I am looking for discussion on your last post.
________________________________________________________
( Dredeye ) Blessings, Love, Guidance to you Sista Sandra,
I just left a post for Akinkawon, you are more welcome to read it. Again, we as people who actually have the time to spend on a discourse between right and wrong are truly blessed while the masses of InI people struggle from day to day to overstand the right and wrong of their own situations in life. Right and wrong truly weighs on the conscious of the indvidual. I realize there is a sense of urgency on your part to derive some peace of mind in regard to Rasta people. Like I wrote to Omawali in an earlier message, InI could poke holes in everyone's belief system based upon ostensible contradictions and fallacies, yet the heart of the matter truly concerns how each individual on Jah Rastafari's world can fill the God shaped hole in their hearts. I leave you with this:
Whenever conflict arises between material and spiritual values, the conscience plays an important role and anyone who suffers from a guilty conscience is never really free from this problem until he makes peace with himself and his conscience. Discipline of the mind is the basic ingredient of genuine morality and therefore spiritual strength. Spiritual power is the eternal guide, in this life and the life after, for man can reach the summit destined for him by the Great Creator. Since nobody can interfere in the realm of God we should tolerate and live side by side with people of different faiths, In the mystic tradition of the different religions we have a remarkable Unity of Spirit. Whatever religion they may profess, they are Spiritual Kinsmen.
Words of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I
________________________________________________________
( Akinkawon ) I thought Yehoshua was your way of saying Joshua. I'll wait for clarity on this.
I can also give an extensive historical overview of Yahweh, but for the point I want to make that is not relevant.
It is these discussions that make it possible for others to understand the right and wrong of their 'own' situation and when people stop struggling to understand the relationship between their ideas and their own poverty they remain slaves.
Poking holes in the beliefs of others may be a good thing if it is done with the intent to uplift. However, this does not apply to me since I do not live by any belief system.
My point is simple, if Rastafarians expect cooperation and assistance from others, they better be prepared to have these concepts scrutinized. People should not contribute to anything in ignorance and if some Rastafarians do not want to be scrutinized then they would have to keep what they believe private and only seek help from other Rastafarians. I do not know how they would do that since many call themselves Rastafarians and all claim to be the true ones and they contradict each other. Yet some Rastafarians expect non-Rastafarians to be able to tell the difference.
I am in agreement with several non-Rastafarians on this forum who do not hold Haile Selassie in the same esteem like Rastafarians.
To Rastafarians, does that mean that such people including Africans are false or ungodly and Rastafarians are gods special chosen people. I have witnesses the long-term effects of such attitudes; the present Jews are living examples of this. Do I hate them? No. Do I dislike Rastafarians because I do not accept what I hear from most who claim Rastafari? No. But if our quest is not about defining common values then the distrust and conflicts continues.
________________________________________________________
( Dredeye ) Greetings Mi bredren Akinkawon,
I hope that our discussions have helped to breakdown some of the generalizations you feel about Rasta people. For some, the Rastafari faith gives an outlet to people either be more comforting and compassionate to people or a means to justify their egotistical and sometimes quite immoral actions. To generalize all of Rasta people based upon some religious zealots can be seen as quite unfair. Iman, personally, know quite a few Rastas that uphold the true liviti of Rastafari in expressing the One Love attitude.
Know this, as Iman grow in Jah wisdom, Iman have come to know that it is not worth judging people with right or wrong based upon one's personal ethical and spiritual codes. InI are here to overstand and receive the messages that Rastafari relate to InI thru His teachings, His speeches, InI life and liviti. Iman do not expect everyone to Hail His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I in the same way as people of Rastafari do. But as children of the Most High God, no matter how you recognize and give homage to His presence, I do expect their to be common respect, understanding, and humility to burn thru weakheart conceptons of the false ego, to reach the Iyah Ites of humanity as an African nation, as a human nation under Jah.
With that being said, you can continue to judge Iman and all InI bredren and sistren based upon what "Non-Rastafarians" hold to be rightful and truthful, but also recognize that is the same disdain that you will give to other people because they don't fit your particular standard of what is required to truly liberate InI people. My ancestors come from Haiti, the only black nation that successful ousted a European colonial power(besides Ethiopia) by galvanizing the people despite different ideaologies and spirtual practices.
Thus Iman know this same idea can be transplanted anywhere with the proper leadership and humblance to the Most High. Either way Akinkawon, right or wrong, you are the master of your own destiny for all of its successes and failures. Be open to learning despite what you think you want to know or already know because Jah Rastafari, God, Yaweh, Yehoshua, Buddha, Hare Krisna, Allah, Orishna, or even Jesus Christ manifests in ways beyond your own overstanding or control. If you are open to receive the blessings than it won't matter who it comes from, as long as you receive the blessing.
________________________________________________________
( Akinkawon ) The generalizations you feel about Rasta people?
Brother, in my previous posts I made references to some Rastafarians and I deliberately kept away from stereotyping all Rastafarians. You can review my post for yourself.
People could only judge right and wrong by their own ethical understanding and the purpose of discussions between diverse people is to refine those understandings.
"You can continue to judge Iman and all InI bredren and sistren based upon what "Non-Rastafarians" hold to be rightful and truthful, but also recognize that is the same disdain that you will give to other people because they don't fit your particular standard of what is required to truly liberate InI people."
Here again you are speaking from your own misunderstanding as we are simply having a discussing where you give your positions and I give mine. Where in my comments have I treated you with disdain (contempt)?
You agree with many of the points I made about some Rastafarians so I find it amusing that you would end the discussion with pointless rhetorical conclusions.
You would have to explain how my different views deny anyone from being and doing what they want.
You are making the same call others and myself have been making on this forum for people to be more open to different views. Let us see how many people are ready to accede to that request.
It is because I am opened, I study many different cultural points of view and draw from them what makes sense to me. I am not accepting anything because someone says so, but if it makes sense and can lead to greater understanding sure I'll use it.
________________________________________________________
( Dredeye ) Greetings Akinkawon,
I apologize if Iman misunderstood your message. I truly appreciate your open-minded attitudes as we all push for liberation and repatriation. Many times InI may falter because of basic misunderstanding. That is why Iman personally like to reason with people face to face to get better overstanding of what each person is saying. Being a defender of InI faith, can sometimes make Iman a little defensive. But let InI continue with the discussion.
Iman was discussing with a man who was in Ethiopia from 1972-1974 when His Majesty was ousted from His Palace. From this bredrens overstanding, His Majesty had imposed wonderful statues and programs to bring Ethiopia into the 20th century as well admired His Majesty for nobility in fighting Italian forces during the 1930's. He also mentioned that it was not until the latter few years of His reign that perhaps senility and disconnection with InI people caused for serious misjudgemens on His part. Its perception like these that help Iman shape Iman's view of His Majesty as a man of the flesh.
Truly, Iman recognize His significance in regard to biblical prophecy and lineage, and even as a true and living King of Israel. Emperor Haile Selassie I is one to be venerated to the utmost but absolute worship for Iman is another story. What Iman say is quite upsetting to many Rasta people, but InI know self, and this is Iman's take on His Majesty.
Let InI continue pon Iyah Ites of truth,
Dredeye Knight Out!
From the Rastafari Speaks Message Board
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
The past could defeat UN racism charter
Posted: Sunday, August 5, 2001
Reparation for slavery and colonialism, and the nature of Zionism,
put world conference in jeopardy
(Guardian Unlimited) International negotiators meeting in Geneva have a week to save the UN conference on racism from collapse.
The conference was intended for heads of government but some countries intend to send lesser representatives.
Although many leaders of the developing world are planning to attend, Tony Blair is among the western leaders who will be absent.
The decision whether to send the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, or a junior minister, is being delayed until a judgment can be made on the likely outcome of the meeting.
Diplomats from states planning to attend the conference, due to start in Durban, South Africa, on August 31, have to agree on the wording of a final draft of a declaration on racism for the conference to adopt, and a plan of action. The deadline is Friday.
If they fail some countries are likely to further lower their level of representation, and at at worst the US will withdraw.
Backed by the EU, Washington says it will not endorse a declaration equating Zionism with racism, or containing references to compensation or reparations for slavery and colonialism.
Discrimination, subjugation, and foreign occupation are, in the phrase used by the western camp, "not region specific". India, for example, has fought off an attempt to have its caste system classed as oppressive. [More]
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Hadzabe Bushmen - Lake Eyasi
Posted: Friday, August 3, 2001
Small groups of Hadzabe bushmen live around Lake Eyasi. Their language resembles the click languages of other bushmen further south in the Kalahari. Their small population was seriously threatened, in particular during the period when Julius Nyere tried to introduce his Ujuma policy. The tribe resisted the forcible settlement policies of Julius Nyere and nowadays most of their children have never seen a doctor or school - the bush provides for all their needs and is a class room for their offspring.
They are often willing for visitors to come and see their simple bush homes where the tree canopy alone or a cave provides them with shelter. They live entirely off the bush and from hunting, generally small antelopes and baboons, although in rainy seasons gazelles and antelopes come down from the Ngorongoro or Serengeti to their then lush bush lands offering them richer pickings. In the recent past their hunting activities were resented by trophy hunters who tried to stop their "illegal"hunting. [More]
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Neanderthals and Modern Humans - A Regional Guide
Posted: Thursday, August 2, 2001
Here you will find information on the prehistoric people of Eurasia known as Neanderthals, and on the early modern humans who succeeded them.
Who were these two groups of people? (see below). How were they related? How did they interact? Where did the first modern humans come from? And what eventually became of the Neanderthals? Final answers to these questions have yet to be found, but this web site allows you to share in the quest for knowledge about this fascinating period of prehistory.
New evidence on the last Neanderthals and first modern humans of Eurasia is constantly pouring in. This web site uses a regional perspective to report these new findings and to help clarify the pattern of human evolution during this exciting epoch. It presents concise, objective summaries of the latest archeological and fossil evidence for each region of Eurasia where these ancient peoples once lived: http://www.neanderthal-modern.com/
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Separation: Is There an Alternative?
Posted: Thursday, August 2, 2001
What must be done to preserve Western Civilization?
By Rabbi Mayer Schiller
If current trends continue, some time in the middle of the next century the majority of this nation's inhabitants will be nonwhites. As has been shown repeatedly in the pages of American Renaissance, the presence of large numbers of nonwhites irrevocably changes the character of a school, neighborhood, city or state. Most whites find these changes so disagreeable that they simply move away. However, they can do this only because there are still many areas of the country that are overwhelm-ingly white. What will happen if whites become a minority? Even before whites are reduced to a minority, the shift towards a largely nonwhite population will be felt in all areas of life. Taxes, crime, and disease will rise. "Reverse discrimination" will become the norm. Ever larger parts of the country will be essentially off limits to whites, even as government resorts to ever more draconian measures to enforce integration. Legislatures and schools dominated by nonwhites will rewrite our history, belittle our heritage, overturn our monuments, and abandon the cultural norms of our civilization. This is the great crisis of our times.(1)
More > http://www.natesu.org/rabbi.htm
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Attempts to 'Civilize' American Indian Children
Posted: Wednesday, August 1, 2001
CARLISLE, Pa. -- With its neatly trimmed lawn and plain, white gravestones, the small, well-kept cemetery near the rear gate of the U.S. Army War College at the Carlisle Barracks looks at first like many other Army cemeteries.
But a braid of sweetgrass here and a beaded hair clip there identify the site not as a soldiers' graveyard, but as the final resting place for more than 100 American Indian children who died far from home.
From 1879-1918, the Carlisle Barracks was home to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the model for a nationwide system of government-run Indian boarding schools intended to "civilize" American Indian children by teaching them farming and trades while squelching their language and traditions. More > http://www.sltrib.com/07292001/travel/116859.htm
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
The Cultural Unity Of The Amazigh People
Posted: Wednesday, August 1, 2001
When referring to the Amazigh people, the boundaries stretch across the borders of all of north Africa, and even beyond, including the Canary Islands, Mauritania, Niger, etc. (The area including north Africa and the Canary Islands is called Tamazgha, land of the Amazigh.)
Three terms which should be kept straight are: Amazigh, Imazighen, and Tamazight. The first is the singular for the people and the culture. Imazighen is the plural. Tamazight refers to the umbrella language group, as well as to a specific regionalism of the language, spoken in some areas of Morocco and Algeria. When the term is used by non-linguists, it inevitably refers to the language of the Imazighen in general. The term "Amazigh" is also used ideologically and politically to denote those who identify themselves first and foremost as Amazigh (rather than, for example, by the country of origin or as Muslim) and adhere to principles of democracy and secularism. More > http://www.waac.org/amazigh/amazigh_home.html
http://www.arab.net/morocco/morocco_contents.html
(BBC) King Mohammed VI of Morocco has promised to set up a body to preserve the language and culture of the country's Berbers, who make up a majority of the population.
In a speech to mark the second anniversary of his accession to the throne, the king said the body would work towards integrating the Berber language into the education system. [More]
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
The Maroons of Jamaica
Posted: Wednesday, August 1, 2001
During the 18th century, the powerful Maroons, escaped ex-slaves who settled in the mountains of Jamaica, carved out a significant area of influence. Through the use of slave labor, the production of sugar in this British colony flourished. But the courageous resistance of the Maroons threatened this prosperous industry. These efforts included plantation raids, the killing of white militiamen, and the freeing of slaves. The threat to the system was clear and present; hence, the planters were willing to sign a treaty with the Maroons in 1738. The treaty offers good insight to the relationship between the planters and the Maroons at the time, and deserves further attention.
On March 1, 1738, the articles of pacification with the Maroons of Trelawny Town signaled to Jamaica that a new era was emerging. The English planters had feared the rising power of the Maroons, and therefore tried to subdue them. This proved to be unsuccessful, consequently causing the English to realize that making peace with the Maroons was the only possible solution. This treaty was the first of its kind and it demonstrated that a group of rebellious ex-slaves had forced a powerful class of planters to come to terms. This was an unlikely event during the eighteenth century, given the dominance of the planter class across the Caribbean. Yet the fact remains that the treaty did not solely serve the planters’ interest. For example, article three of the treaty states that the Maroons were given 1500 acres of crown land, a necessity for the Maroons to maintain their independent way of life. In addition, it made a boundary between the Maroons and the planters, which was to avoid future conflicts. [More]
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Emancipation in Jamaica
Posted: Wednesday, August 1, 2001
(Jamaica Gleaner) "The hour is at hand, the Monster is dying...in recounting the mood in his church that night he said- "the winds of freedom appeared to have been set loose, the very building shook at the strange yet sacred joy." - William Knibb, non-conformist Baptist preacher and abolitionist, at the dawning of Aug. 1, 1838
Freedom can be said to have arrived in two stages; the first being the early morning of Friday, August 1, 1834. On that day many slaves were said to have walked up hills and climbed trees so as to clearly witness the literal dawning of their freedom. Around the island thousands attended "Divine Services" to give thanks and praise. August 1, 1834, marked the emancipation of all slaves in British colonies but it was a case of freedom with conditions. Although the Abolition Act stated that slavery shall be and is hereby utterly abolished and unlawful, the only slaves truly freed were those not yet born and those under six years of age. All other slaves were to enter a six-year 'apprenticeship' during which they were to be 'apprenticed' to the plantations. [More]
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives
Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938 contains more than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves. These narratives were collected in the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and assembled and microfilmed in 1941 as the seventeen-volume Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves. This online collection is a joint presentation of the Manuscript and Prints and Photographs Divisions of the Library of Congress and includes more than 200 photographs from the Prints and Photographs Division that are now made available to the public for the first time. Born in Slavery was made possible by a major gift from the Citigroup Foundation.
More > http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
White men didn't free African women
Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2001
THE EDITOR: "In Ghana, women have made some progress mostly because of the legacy of the former colonial rulers." So writes Kevin Baldeosingh in his flippant report on a brief and secluded visit to Accra, Ghana More > (Express 26/7/01).
For someone who is often at pains to appear learned, I find Kevin to be intellectually lazy when addressing histories of the non-European world.
You don't have to be an Afrocentrist to argue that his observation on the relationship between the progress of women in Africa and the legacy of colonialism, smacks of the most banal Eurocentrism.
There is a vast body of scholarship published from within the Euro-American academy that writers like Kevin revere, which has effectively challenged the idea that colonialism liberated and advanced the womenfolk of Africa.
This would have been a remarkable achievement for colonial rulers, especially since the European males who administered colonies in Africa brought with them a system of patriarchal domination that was common in Europe.
Indeed, researchers have shown that colonialism tended to strengthen the power of men (white and black) over women in Africa, in relation to issues ranging from household tasks to the allocation of land and property.
The notion that European intervention represented "progress" for the peoples of Africa began with the ideologues of the slave trade and colonial expansion and remains deeply embedded in the schools of thought with which Kevin seems to enjoy a close and uncritical relationship. He should broaden his intellectual interests.
In the course of doing so, he might discover that African leaders, culpable as they are for the continent's woes, did not act alone; there was no shortage of foreign benefactors.
When, for example, the peoples of the Congo demanded access to education, technology, democracy and the human rights mentioned in the article, various US administrations stood solidly behind Mobutu, the brutal dictator that ruled against the possibility of such.
No one seriously concerned about the plight of Africans will call upon them to forget the past and uncritically adopt the plans of their former colonial rulers and the US, as Kevin advises.
He should stick to his satire and commentaries on our local racial essentialists and spare us the trite analyses of contemporary Africa, of which there is an adequate supply in the local media.
DAVID JOHNSON
Associate Professor of African History
City University of New York
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
What Is Rastafarianism?
Posted: Monday, July 30, 2001
Kwasi Akyeampong
My question for discussion:
WHAT IS RASTAFARIANISM?
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS RASTARIANISM?
WHO IS A RASTAFARIAN?
CAN ANYONE BECOME A RASTAFARIAN?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A RASTAFARIAN?
WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF RASTAFARIANISM?
I believe...it was Prof. Rex Nettleford wrote of the culture of "The Dred."
SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING DRED AND BEING A RASTAFARIAN?
IF YOU ARE "BALD HEAD" - NOT A RASTA , HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE A RASTA?
These are question that have come up in casual conversations and many of us have not given thought to thoughtfully explore the questions.
The concept of Rastafarianism has seems to have changed since my youth. Men with dred-locks (dread(full) hair) does not seem to be dred-lack, dread(ed) and dread(full) men - warrior against "Babylon" with "blood and fire" on their tongues.
"The music of Africa's lost generation has become the music of the town."(sic), said Una Morrison, Jamaican poet.
HAS RASTAFARIANS BECOME THE CULTURAL LORDS OF "BABYLON?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Posted by: Ras for Self
There is a modern Rasta who identifies with His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Sellassie and a set of social practices including Dreadlocks. I see these Rastas as having commune outside of the general hypocrisies of the Western World and are more sensitive to social/African issues. I would leave this aspect for other Rastafari of the community.
InI deal in the essence of Rasta and Rastafari, which is wisdom, developed through self-identification and SELF-reunification. This is the area that speaks to and from our common good. InI await dialogue with man/woman who want to attain this cosmic Rastafari state. This is the highest calling of mankind and it can be adequately defined from the root of the word to the experience of higher development. InI will say more when more Rastafari engage this issue.
InI know, InI think, InI believe what InI know.
Rastafari, InI Speaks,
Ras for Self
More > Rastafari Speaks Message Board
Printer friendly version
Send page by E-Mail
Share your views on the Online Forums
View last 5 days / Advance search
