Today at the United Nations

“We face neither East nor West ; we face Forward”
Kwame Nkrumah

It always amazes me how often I hear from American presidents and heads of states around the world, just how much they are concerned for human rights and dignity.  How, taking today for example, they stand with Libya and the new regime after they fought so valiantly to free of a brutish regime.  What of the countless Africans who have been fomenting for the last century to return home to Africa from the west, with dignity and justice?  Who has heard the voice of Rastafari that has been championing for human dignity before the nations of the Caribbean attained the independence, independence that was built upon the backs of former slaves and bonded men and women?


I find it sickening that it always appears that skin colour and political agendas have kept the concerns and agitation of Rastafari worldwide under foot.  Is it really all that much different from the Israeli, Libyan, Afghan, Egyptian or Iranian?  Have not the Africans been agitating to be returned home from at least the turn of the previous century?  Actually many fought desperately to go home from the very beginning.  Why are we still relegated to back burners if any burners at all?

I have heard all sorts of arguments that only seem to further sweep away the agitation and political current that Rastafari have been calling for.  Remember also that Rastafari as a body, have been agitating through several Mansions, or Houses, for the return of not only Rastafari but indeed all Africans who see their rightful heritage, destiny and inheritance in Africa.  Not in the lands of the slave master and his hosts.  We were not brought here with dignity and certainly without justice. 

I hope that our Brothers and Sisters throughout the Diaspora and especially in Africa, come to know that we have been wanting to come home for a century.  Whatever they have been taught of the African who was taken into bondage; whatever they have been taught about the Rastafari who have upheld the banner and fight of Marcus Garvey, champion of African self rule and sovereignty; please know that even today we are fighting the fight.  We are marching on the United Nations and other host governments for the full freedom and redemption of all of Africa.  We are steady marching on to see the day that international repatriation/reparations are made manifest for the African people, those taken into bondage their ascendants and future generations.  We demand to be heard.  We demand justice.  We demand dignity.  We demand statehood for a nation of people that chose not to leave African shores in chains.

We know the world will not know peace until the voice of the African people has it's rightful turn to articulate for parity justice and dignified acceptance of all Her peoples.  We will not be silent.  Not one minute longer.  May love rule in the hearts and minds of man and men.