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.

For Immediate Release

From: Shashemene African Diaspora Rastafarian Development Association
Date: April 18, 2012

For Immediate Release

Returning Home, is the title of the upcoming seminar for African Ambassadors and other stakeholders working on the integration of the African Diaspora into Africa. The seminar will be held on Friday April 27th through Sunday April 29th at Lilly of the Valley Hotel and Conference Center in Shashemene and is hosted by the Shashemene African Diaspora Rastafarian Development Association (SADRDA).

The seminar has been encouraged by the local government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diaspora Directorate and African Union CIDO office as an important event to share experiences and ideas which can foster stronger relations and cooperation between Africans at home and abroad towards Ethiopia/Africa’s development. Several African Ambassadors from countries such as Ghana and Tanzania have also lauded the efforts of the Rastafarians who are at the helm of the seminar on behalf of the African Diaspora in general. Hon. Priest Paul, President of SADRDA and first Chairman for the Diaspora Ras Tafari Committee within Kebele 010 in Shashemene states, "We the descendants of Africans enslaved during the most heinous crime against humanity known as the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, have never given up on returning home. We realize not only our divine right to return home but our inherent responsibility to help in the development of Ethiopia/Africa as the slave trade hurt those at home and abroad. We do this for all the Africans of the world."

Returning Home will bring together Pan African academicians, activists, artists, business owners, students and more to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities faced on the Shashemene Land Grant and beyond as Africans from the Diaspora strive to strengthen forces with Ethiopians and Africans in general in realizing our Renaissance. The event will also bring long needed clarity regarding Shashemene which is the first recorded attempt of any African country to welcome home Africans from abroad. The Shashemene land-grant was gifted by Emperor Haile Selassie in the early 1950's to "Black people of the West" as a show of gratitude for the outpouring of support by Africans in the Diaspora who stood with Ethiopia against the fascists Italian invasion in the 1940's. The land-grant, which was to be administered by the Ethiopian World Federation, now has over 250 families and businesses established over the past fifty years and had several civil society organizations who have built schools and agricultural institutions while working closely with local government to enhance security, social, cultural and economic initiatives.

The seminar opens on Friday with registration and various activities. On Saturday Professor Abiye Ford, well known academician and Pan African historian, will moderate the panel discussing legal mechanisms and parliamentary procedures for integration as well as partnerships and networks towards substantive engagement. Several African Ambassadors including Tanzania Ambassador His Excellency Professor Joram M. Biswaro will also give presentations along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diaspora Directorate. Ras Kabinda, a well known agriculturist and Pan African activist will make a presentation regarding growth and development, focusing on nation building endeavors. Dr. Desta Meghoo, a recognized, proficient advisor and organizer within the movements, is due to deliver the keynote speech, "The Evolution of Rastafari within the Pan-African Movements". Closing ceremonies are scheduled for Sunday.

The seminar is open to the public but seating is limited. Please contact the organizing committee chairman Ras Tsedai at 251-916821827 or email shashamane123@gmail.com to register for the event. The media is welcome.

Let's Keep Getting The Word Out: Stop Exploiting the Name and Image of Rastafari

“If one benefits tangibly from the exploitation of others who are weak, is one morally implicated in their predicament? Or are basic rights of human existence confined to the civilized societies that are wealthy enough to afford them? Our values are defined by what we will tolerate when it is done to others.”

William Greider    

 

I just wanted people to take pause and think about what they actually view what may or not be "foreign cultures". While people do indeed traverse the world and engage new cultures on a scale like at no other time in recent history; travel is no longer only the whim of the rich or plight of the slave, oft times given the "right" and freedom of expression here in the States, peoples culture gets ridiculed without second thought.

Another Woman Takes the Helm in Africa

“WOMEN must be at the forefront of nation-building to bring the South African citizenry together and, therefore, develop a whole new ethos of human co-existence,” 

Steve Biko

“There's no transformation process that could bear the desired outcomes without women throwing their weight behind that change initiative, and the same holds for the nation-building process.” 

Steve Biko

President Joyce Banda

I would be more than a little remiss if I did not take a brief moment to acknowledge Malawi's new President, The Hon. Joyce Banda.  To be honest, I knew of President Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, and that the current presidents of Brazil, Argentina and Germany were all women.  But when I took a second to verify just how many current female heads of state there were in the world, I was shocked to say the least.

Happy 55 Years Ghana/ "Let I People Go...Repatriation Now"

“The best way of learning to be an independent sovereign state is to be an independent sovereign state.”
Kwame Nkrumah 

“Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. Thy claim it as their own and none can keep it from them.”
Kwame Nkrumah


First and foremost, I want to officially and sincerely give thanks to Black Truth Media and it's host, the Hon. Priest Jaja, for inviting me to co-host last night and guest host in his stead as he takes a brief leave.  The experience is altogether new to me and I am being handed some pretty big shoes to fill.  Still, that the Priest and his coterie have put their trust in me to navigate the ship, gives me confidence that I will do justice to the Black Truth program and for it's audience.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

Secondly, as yesterday marked a very seminal event in the history of African peoples universally, I must extend heartfelt extolment to the Republic of Ghana for 55 years of independence from imperialist European colonial overseers.  Under the stewardship of the stalwart Hon. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana positioned itself as the first sub-Saharan African state to remove colonial rule and gain self governance.  This move not only secured their place in modern history, it to this day marks Ghana as one of the important gateways into Africa for many members of the Diaspora who through the wickedly brutal and devilishly vile African Holocaust of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade, have had to trace their African roots from outside the continent.

We Were Born Angels

https://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/jah-courtney/we-were-born-angels/10150461997421010?notif_t=like
Jah Courtney


We Were Born Angels

On a vision quest, seems they are many these days, I saw you.
Well I saw your form, laying neatly undisturbed in the warm darkness.
Your presence calmed me as I climbed deeper up into heights
Before unseen by these eyes.  Into realms never imagined.
Do you remember?
 Do you remember traveling that road?
Soaring above the thoughts and dreams of mortal men.
Whispering the name of Light as loud as thunder,
Shapeless as the ocean is wide, vexing and trembling.
I heard Mother call to me,
The name She gave me in silent prayer.
But it was Brother who stood before me, as you lay
In the warm darkness which could not hide your form,
Brother who stood before me, calling me to the place
Where Father was born.
Bellowing our name in whisper, inaudible to men.
And the reason I pen these words in the sweet darkness
That steadies your form, and mine, hid from time.
It is time Sister, time to rise and heed Mother’s prayer.
Radiate your Glory.

On Rastafari And Relationships: One Viewpoint

"It is not easy to identify readily the gender of a bird or what is inside a man’s heart." 
Ethiopia

"So many little things make a man love a woman in a big way."
Ghana

The following is an exert from a conversation/reasoning in a Facebook group.  The entire thread was much too long to copy here and the group is closed so no link is available.  But I wanted to post this to offer one view on romantic love within Rastafari because it seems a very important issue to many adherents, though one not often spoken of openly.  Please bear with me as I have stated, it picks up in the middle of the conversation.
Kwasi Abahu

Forever Achieving Inspiration Through Humilty---Imani

"The trees that are growing are tomorrow's forest."Zambia


"The following day begins with a lot of hope."  Uganda, Congo

As these 7 days of the period of Kwanzaa come to rest once more, for another year, remember that it is in the living them daily that we fully achieve the whole of the love that we have been missing for far too long.  Some will say that Kwanzaa is not necessary to accomplish the unity of Africans in the West but any unity of spirit and principle is a good thing.  After all, when you really look into the 7 principles, you'll see that we have had them with us all along.  They have been forever encoded in our DNA from such time.

Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie I

Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie I

November 2nd 1930

National Geographic Version

"As Sunday, November 2, dawned clear, all in Addis Ababa began to prepare for the impressive event of the morning. The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and his Empress have just completed a night of prayer and devotion at the most high altar within. Through the early morning the chanting of praises continued, accompanied by the dancing of the priests with their great pulsating drums, the whole suggestive of the Ancient Jewish rites which were in use at the time of King David danced before the Ark of the Covenant.

"Proceeded by waving incense burners, His Imperial Majesty, attired in white silk communion robes, entered the ceremonial hall with an escort of aides and clergy, and took his place upon the Throne. The thrilling but solemn silence gently breaks to the throaty voice of his holiness the Abuna Kyrillos: "Ye princes and ministers, ye nobles and chiefs of the army, ye soldiers and people of Ethiopia, and ye doctors and chiefs of the clergy, ye professors and priests, look ye upon our Emperor Haile Selassie the First, descended from the dynasty of Menelik the First, who was born of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, a dynasty perpetuated without interruption from the time of King Sehale to our times."

"Forty nine bishops and priests of this ancient Christian country, in groups of seven, have held place for seven days and nights in the seven corners of the National Cathedral to chant without ceasing nine Psalms of David. They are now joined by hundreds more. The established Coptic Church is revered and all-powerful in Ethiopia. This is a day when it may and does show its impressive might and splendor.

"The Emperor, whose name is Anglicized as Power of the Holy Trinity, before the questioning of the Abuna gives his sacred pledge to uphold the Orthodox religion of the Church, to support and administer the laws of the country for the betterment of the people, to maintain the integrity of Ethiopia, and to found schools for developing the Spiritual and Material welfare of her subjects.

"Chanting and prayers to the God of Gods rise from a multitude of priestly throats and reverberate from the lofty ceiling of the Cathedral. One by one with the solemn rites and blessings of the high Ethiopian clergy, He received the Gold-Embroidered Scarlet Robes, the Jeweled Sword, Imperial Gold Scepter, the Orb, the Diamond Encrusted Ring, and two Gold
Filigree Lances in token of His position and responsibility. Following ancient customs, as when Samuel anointed David, and Zadok and Nathan anointed Solomon, so the Abuna anointed His Majesty's head with oil. Seven differently scented ointments of ancient prescription are received on the Imperial head, brow, and shoulders. He then concluded with the words: "That God make this Crown a Crown of Glory. That, by the Grace and the blessing which we have given, you may have an Unshaken Faith and a Pure Heart, in order that you may inherit the Crown Eternal. So be it."

The centuries seemed to have slipped suddenly backwards into Biblical ritual.

"The assembly applauded their greeting, and the visiting naval band played the National Anthem, while outside cannons roared a salute of 101 guns, and cheer after cheer came from thousands of subjects massed in the vicinity of the Cathedral."


Report by Addison E. Southard, United States
Minister to Ethiopia.
National Geographic, June 1931