An abomination of the highest degree

“Defilement is an action, not an idea, and therefore it is not freedom of expression. It does treachery to freedom of expression. Secondly, it is a part of a trend that enrages Islamism around the world. Therefore it has to be interpreted in this context.” 

Mohammad Khatami

“We despise all reverences and all objects of reverence which are outside the pale of our list of sacred things and yet, with strange inconsistency, we are shocked when other people despise and defile the things which are holy for us” 

Mark Twain

Last Friday I was hit with a barrage of emails and text messages over the above video clip.  Turns out that during the premiere of the recently released authorized documentary of Bob Marley, someone used a representation of the Ethiopian flag down on the ground in place of the traditional "red carpet".  Given that Marley was seemingly devoutly Rastafari, whether by faith or livity, to many the use of the flag in this manner was a desecration.

While to this day Rastafari raise different banners (flags) to recognize and symbolize the differing traditions within the larger tradition, I think and feel we could all agree on some level that the desecration, the defilement was apparent.  Whether it was done deliberately, or simply the act of some vain-gloriously ignorant staffer for the public relations firm to date is not apparent.  What is apparent however is that Rastafari does not get the level of respect, whether by faith or culture, that it clearly rightfully deserves. 

For one thing, the number of Elders who regardless of Mansion, regardless of socio-political stance within Rastafari, that have suffered: brutal beatings, the shearing of locks as if they were still chattel, the probable unlawful and subsequent certainly inhumane imprisonment simply for sighting the visage of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie the 1st of Ethiopia as God and King incarnate albeit against that of the colonial leadership, should be enough to garner certain respect.  We have, and though my years might not equal that of my Elders and the many Ancients that have made transition, held this position and knowledge of HIM despite the backlash and ridicule of outsiders, the uninitiated and the non-understanding.

Secondly, and again as there may be stark differences in thought in regards, Rastafari whether by faith or livity, has risen up across the globe.  Though hard to quantify the exact number, and though many who at one time wore the outer manifestation of the inner spiritual tradition, we can claim truthfully that the Caribbean does not any longer have a hold on Rastafari within the number of adherents.  In fact, from all reports though internal and anecdotal, it seems South Africa, in fact Africa generally, shows the greatest number of Rastafari rising in the last decade.  South and Central America also have seen marked rise in Rastafari adherents.

I'm not fully aware of all the intricacies of the host countries where Rastafari do rise up and what all the "concerns" are of state officials in regards to our particular situation.  I do know that one of the major points of contention is the use of ganja, marijuana, for many Rastafari.  I will state however that while many recognize the sacred and spiritual use of ganja as sacrament, not all adherents partake.  I mean come on.  That assertion is utterly ridiculous.  Can we not position ourselves to take a political and social stance on ganja different from the rest of the world?  I know that many of these countries: Jamaica, Trinidad, Bahamas, and so on, have taken a economic stand on ganja.

However much they crack down on ganja among Rastafari, it seems tourists, especially white tourists from North America and Europe, have carte blanche usage of marijuana on the island and indeed vacation in these places for such freedoms.  If Jamaica Tourist Board is unaware of this I would be baffled.  Because from the time I was in highschool, my friends who were an amalgam of different ethnic backgrounds, thanks to cosmopolitan environments, all knew that senior trips and graduation vacation was Jamaica, where we could buy pounds and pounds for little to no money.  Such was the lore of liberal Jamaican freedoms for tourists.  Loose ganja smokers who generally hold no reverences, get hungry and buy food.  Plenty of food.

So not only do hotels get a major boost from a ganja economy, most food services on the island do as well.  If Jamaica thinks the image is very different they are joking.  In fact many of the islands have loosely marketed Rastafari in one form or another for such tourist traffic.  Can you think of how many "dreadlocked" people you use to see in commercial and other advertisements?  Times may have changed and the culture may have been watered down significantly, but only by those who sought to economically exploit Rastafari without offering any compensation.  Whether that compensation was monetary or spiritual.

Now I, nor any other Rastafari I know, needs the respect of anyone in terms of you acknowledging my God.  Though it is quite funny to me that I do just such a thing when it comes to others faiths.  I also respect other peoples cultures and nationalities without question.  Ironically, that stems from my upbringing in a family of Africans recently moved to America from Jamaica.

I will say that one position I will differ from the man on the video: Rastafari and the Ethiopian are not Jamaican culture.  While they may be part of the fabric of Jamaica, they are indicative of and indigenous to the nation of Rastafari peoples, who for our part acknowledge that we are Ethiopian Africans.  The tribal alliances to colonial states is  supposed to be a dead and outdated matter for Rastafari and thus the slight was against Rastafari and the Royal Family, not Jamaica.  I guarantee though, where he is right, such a degradation of respect and justice would never have manifested with the Jamaican flag.

In much the same way, when visitors to the various Rastafari mansions are entertained no such insult is offered.  It seems we have allowed some of the grace and majesty of our Father and Mother, the King Alpha and Queen Omega, to rub off, as well it should unto us Their children.

So whether or not we are still reasoning as to the nature of Rastafari, faith or livity, religion or culture, spirituality or nation, all of which are for adherents to decide, the slight is felt.  But at the end of the day, it falls onto us just the same.  We really do need to stop fighting amongst ourselves and stop giving these people cause to slight us in the ways they do.  From dreadlocked wigs at Disney World to all the politicians who use Rastafari to their likings when the mood suits and fits.  Then again what does one really expect from a nation that refuses to properly honour one of its greatest national heroes, Marcus Garvey, but will reap economic benefit from all else who do.

We must resolve that there are some things we cannot dispute as common ground and that other things, while differences, are nothing more than the differences between cousins and the different houses they are raised in.  I pray this moment has been a wake up call for all who sight Rastafari.  Let us turn this into a teaching moment for our children and theirs that such offenses will no longer go unanswered.

I guanrentee if we positioned ourselves much like the Islamists who take such as profane, and rise up to meet the challenge with the same fervor that we argue for freedom to light a chalice, with the same potential consequences as burned down buildings, maimed innocents and littany of dead bodies, they would have been forced to recognize Rastafari on the only terms it seems they understand.  Give thanks to the Father that He has taught us so much better.