Rastafarianism

Rastafarianism is a religion that was created in the early 1900 due to the social and poor economic conditions of Black people in Jamaica. The primary founders were Marcus Garvey, Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen also known Emperor Haile Selassie I (Power of the Trinity) and Leonard Howell. The Rastafarian religious and political movement has come under great scrutiny by society because of its beliefs and traditions. They have been referred to as a violent cult not only in Jamaica but also in America and Canada, where many of the members and sympathizers have migrated. In my opinion these myths are not accurate and I believe this religion in no different than any other religion of today. The followers of Rastafarianism believe that Haile Selassie the former Emperor of Ethiopia, is the Black Messiah who appeared in the flesh for the redemption of all Blacks exiled in the White oppressors. The movement views Ethiopia as the Promise Land. The group has no individual leadership. Most of the members are men from thirty-five to fifty-five years old. Women play an important role in the Rastafarianism today, but the majority are followers of their husbands. In 1965 the membership was essentially lower class but this is o longer the case. The Rastafarians wee once considered “products of the slum” but Rastafarians now can be found among the middle class. They are found among the elite, some are students at the prestigious University of he West Indies and some are in the medical and legal professions and other upper-class occupations. The Rastafarians have their roots teachings of Jamaican Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who in 1930 preached a message of Black self-empowerment and initiated the “back to Africa” movement. This movement called for all Blacks to return to their ancestral home, specifically Ethiopia. Marcus Garvey taught self-reliance in Jamaica where he was born, as well as abroad and preached a “back to Africa Movement” consciousness. Marcus Garvey in 1920 said “look to Africa, when a Black king shall be crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and proclaimed “king of Kings’, lord of lords” and conquering lion of Tribe of Judah”. Haile Selassie claimed to be the direct descendant of King David, the 225th ruler in an unbroken line of Ethiopian kings from the time of Solomon and Sheba. He and his followers took great pride in being black and wanted to regain black heritage that was lost by Europeans going to Africa and unfairly spreading the African population throughout the world as a result, blacks were not able to organize themselves politically or express themselves socially. Their intellect had been stunted by continuous European oppression. In the Rastafarian religion there are six main fundamental principles which are 1) Hatred for the white race for their past doings 2) The complete superiority of the black race 3) Revenge on whites for their wickedness 4) The negation, persecution and humiliation of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica 5) Preparation to go back to Africa and 6) Acknowledging Emperor Haile Selassie I as the supreme being and only ruler of black people. “Babylon” is a Rastafarian term for white political power structure that has been holding the black race down for centuries. In the past Rastas claim that blacks were held down physically by shackles of slavery. In the present, Rastas feel that blacks are still held down through poverty, illiteracy, inequality and trickery by the white man. The efforts of Rastafarianism are to attempt to remind blacks of their heritage and have them stand up against this Babylon. “I and I” is also a term Rastafarian use which is an expression to totalize the concept of oneness of two persons. This is saying Jah (the Rastafarian name for god) s within all of us, so plain and simply jah is in all man. A substance which is very controversial but is of significance to Rastafarians is ganja (marijuana). To popular belief, pious Rastas do not smoke ganja recreationally, and some do not smoke it at all. Most Rastafarian teachers, though have advocated the controlled ritual smoking of “wisdom weed” for religious reasons or to aid in meditation. The use of this herb is very extensive among the Rastas, not only for spiritual reasons as their Reasoning which is when a group of Rastas meet and discus issues and other situations during this event they will light the chalice and pass it counterclockwise till everyone smokes, but also for medical purposes. The following are a few of the Biblical texts that Rastas embrace as reasons Jah gave for use of the “Holy Herb”.
• “…thou shalt eat the herb of the field.” (Genesis 3:18)
• “… eat every herb of the land.” (Exodus 10:12)
• “Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred there with.” (Proverbs 15:17)
• “He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the service of man.” (Psalm 104:14)
True Rastas eat only I-tal food. This is unique food because it never touches chemicals and is completely natural. The food is cooked without salts, preservatives or condiments. Devoted Rastafarians therefore, are completely vegetarian. Drinking preferences rest with anything herbal, such as tea. Liquor, milk, coffee and soft drinks are viewed as unnatural. The dreadlocks on a Rasta’s head symbolize the Rasta roots and his strength, contrasting the straight, blond locks of the white men. Dreads do not only portray the Rastafarian heritage, but their adornment is supported in the Bible, “They shall not make boldness upon their head neither shall they shave off the corner of their bread, nor make any cutting in the flesh.” (Leviticus 21:5). The way the Rastas’ hair grows has come to represent the symbol of the Lion of Judah and commitment. Dreadlocks have come to depict rebellion of the system and the “proper” way to wear hair.
The Rastafarian Movement was a religious movement that accepted Haile Selassie I the former Emperor of Ethiopia as God incarnate, whom they called Jah. But before it was known as this it was referred to as the ideals of Marcus Garvey. During this movement large numbers of Rastafarian men were arrested and forced to cut of there dreads and also hundreds of Rastafarians were killed by civilians, police and other people who held high authority. The movement has had strong cultural social and political affects on both Ethiopia and Jamaica, but to date, little scholarly research has been done on the affects of the movement on the United States. But this is not to say that such influences and affections do not exist in America. But this is not to say that such influences and affections do not exist in America, which many Rastafarians see as the epitome of Babylon, and the hearth of all evil in the world. Ironically enough, this does not stop Rastafarians from immigrating to America, as a considerable influx of Jamaican Rastafarians made the United Stated their new home during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The Rastafarian movement has played a vital role in the shaping of local United Stated society and culture, as was seen in the socio-cultural accomplishments of Marcus Garvey, the affects of localized Rastafarian community building on the greater metropolitan area and through the medium of Rastafarian riddims or reggae. A reggae legend which transferred Rastafarian beliefs and though was Bob Marley, some of his most popular songs hic portrayed this was “Concrete Jungle” and “Redemption Song”.
This culture does not encourage mainstream political involvement. In fact, in the early stages of the movement most Rastas do not vote, out of principle. Ras Sam Brown formed the Suffering People’s Party for the election of 1962. Although he received fewer than 100 votes, simply standing for election was a powerful act. In the election campaign of 1972, People’s National Party leader Michael Manley used a prop, a walking stick given to him by Haile Selassie which was called “Road of Correction” in a direct appeal to Rastafarian values.
In the famous One Love Peace Concert on April 22, 1978, Peter Tosh (Jamaican Rastafarian musician) informed the audience, including attending dignitaries, with political demands that included decriminalizing marijuana. He did this while smoking a spliff, a criminal act in Jamaica. Five months after Tosh’s bold move he was badly beaten by Jamaican authorities. At this same concert, Bob Marley asked both then- Prime Minister Michael Manley, and opposition leader Edward Seaga onto the stage and a famous picture was taken with all three men holding their hands together above their heads in a symbolic gesture of peace during what had been a very violent election campaign. Today Rastafarians has to some extent become a socially accepted group in mainstream society, and in the United Kingdom some of them work with the police in trying to keep peace on the streets.
Being a Rastafarian you face discrimination because of your dreadlocks. Many people look at dreadlocks as being an outrageous hairstyle. People view dreadlocks as being dirty and untamed. Jamaica may be the place where the Rastafarian religion started, but Rastafarians often aren 't made to feel welcome there. Members of this faith are regularly made to feel like second-class citizens because they are denied equal treatment in terms of hiring, in the jobs open to them, and in the fact that their religion isn 't even legally recognized. Rastafarians cannot perform legal marriages and their houses of worship don 't have the same tax-exempt status as Christian churches or Jewish synagogues.
Throughout time there have been many cases in court relating to Rastafarians. One case was in 1991 when Benny Guerrero, returning from a trip to Hawaii was stopped by officials at Guam’s international airport. Mr. Guerrero attracted the eyes of authority because he has carrying a book about Rastafarians and marijuana. A search of Guerrero’s luggage was searched and five ounces of marijuana was found and some Cannabis seeds. He was arrested and charged with importation of a controlled substance. In his defense, Guerrero argued that he was practicing Rastafarian and that his use of marijuana was religious. His importation of the herb was, he argues, protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a law that blocks the federal government from unjustifiably infringing on a person’s practice of religion. After litigating the case for more than ten years, the Ninth Circuit ruled on Tuesday that while the Religious Freedom Restoration Act might protect some Rastafarians who possess or smoke marijuana as part of their religious practices, it does not protect the important of marijuana, even if that marijuana was intended for religious use.
Another case which stood on the grounds of Rastafarianism is when the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged the United Parcel Service (UPS) with religious bias due to “No Beard” policy. UPS required Ronnis Mason to shave his beard if were to be hired for that position helping with customer delivers and requiring customer contact. Mason wears his beard as part of his observance of Rastafarianism. Mason explained to UPS that he could not shave his beard, and UPS told him that he could then only apply for an inside lower paying position that would not have contact with the public. UPS is not the only shipping company which had trouble with discrimination against Rastafarians. In the Federal Express Corporation, better known as FedEx fired several of its New York employees who refused to cut their dreadlocks. They cite religious expression but FedEx showed them the door. In 2006, FedEx reaches a settlement which included recognizing dreadlocks worn for religious reasons. Discrimination against the outer appearance of this religion just doesn’t happen in the workplace but also in the schools. In 2004 the Trinidadian school board transferred a 12 year old girl to another school because she showed up to school with dreads, she was a Rastafarian. Many other Caribbean islands such as Guyana (really in South America), Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Barbados and St. Kitts had thrown children out of their school because of their family relation with the Rastafarianism religion. Music much like art has a very significant way of communicating its message. Jamaican artist Omar Campbell has done so with his pieces of work which display Rastafarians beliefs. Also Bob Marley let’s out in his music the words of the Rasta man and the discrimination and struggle which they face on a day to day basis. His music also shows Rastafarians way of life, how they live a peaceful not threatening life of positive vibes and structure. With great inspirational artiste and musicians like these two you can see how Rastafarianism has spread and began to become accepted to more and more people all over the world. People or very much influenced my media and when they realize that something is popular or “cool” they seem to follow it. Today as you are walking down the street you might notice white Rastafarians, which is very common now-a-days. Many white people around the world takes up this religion. Many Black Rastafarians, Rastafarian believers and Jamaicans don’t condone this. They feel as if Rastafarianism is a religion only for the black men and women because it is a religion that was build up directly from Europeans invading the Mother Land and taking Africans. This religion is to escape the white man’s order; it deals with struggle and pain that their (Blacks) ancestors had to endure. To see a white person walking around with dreadlocks and claiming to be a Rastafarian is weird and seems as they are making a mockery of the whole religion, why would they be a Rastafarian when a Rastafarian principle is to have hatred for the white race and seek revenge for them. A white man could never have the emotional and mental spirit to be a Rasta. Rastafarianism is going against white people and don’t stand for them, why would a white man follow a religion which was founded to go against his race and have hate for them. Where I was born, St. Mary, Jamaica is where you will find the most Rastafarians. I grew up around these people and have many of them in my family. I personally hate to see any one who is not an African American sporting dreadlocks and saying they are a Rastafarian. Also I hate to see people, especially whites (it gets me mad) just wearing the hairstyle because I feel as if it is a mockery. I really feel strongly about Rastafarianism (I wear three chains everyday one of Marcus Garvey and two of Bob Marley to represent the respect and love I have for this religion. I am a Rastafarian at heart) and one and plan to convert fully when I get a little older. Today there are approximately one million (1,000,000) Rastafarians world while. You can find them any and everywhere you go North America, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Still in this year Rastafarians still face discrimination all over this is just a problem which they are just going to have to face but even though this is a problem and sometimes a downfall, it still makes them stronger and more confident. Also today Rastas are not just Black African, but also include other diverse ethnic groups including Native American, White, Indonesian, and Thai. Rastafarianism also started to influence other races all over the world and is in the process of bringing about a whole new religion. After last year fall the USSR, a youth subculture of cannabis users formed, primarily in Russia and Ukraine, many of who began to call themselves Rastamany. The adopted a number of symbols of the Rastafarian culture. Including Reggae music (they honor Bob Marley), the green, yellow and red colors and sometimes dreadlocks but Afrocentrism. Many of them protest against what they call “Babylon”. A Russian Reggae scene has developed that is only partially similar to common reggae. Rastamany have their own folklore; publish literature and records, as well as websites.

Bibliography
Articles
• Breiner, Laurence A. Journal of Religion Thought, The English Bible in Jamaican Rastafarianism Fall85/Winter86, Vol.42 Issue 2, p30, 14p
The English Bible in Jamaican Rastafarianism is a handbook and mirror into the Rastafarian world. In the handbook Breiner discusses how the twelve tribes of Israel influenced Rastafarian with their thoughts and beliefs. In this handbook the Rastafarian Movement and its importance were brought up numerous amounts of times. Marijuana being a spiritual relief system also introduced in this handbook. The English Bible in Jamaican Rastafarian educated its readers about Haile Selassie also known as Jah Rastafari and Ras Tafari and his Ethiopian Orthodox Church teachings. Also the handbook describes His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I visit to Jamaica in 1966. Selassie told Jamaicans that “Ethiopians and Jamaicans have relationships going back for a very long time, “and that” Jamaicans and Ethiopians were brothers by blood.”
Rastafarians believe themselves to be the original Lost Tribes of Tribes of Israel that were once scattered, but now found because of the preservation and appearing of Judah, David’s seed, in the person of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I and that they will returned to Ethiopia by God’s will and power.
• Jacobson, Mark Bob Marley Live Natural History, Nov95, Vol. 104 Issue 11, p48-53, 6p, 6c
This is a short article that describes philosophy of Rastafarian. It speaks about a very popular Rastafarian named Robert Nester Marley. Bob Marley Live discusses Bob Marley’s idea and thoughts. It shows a day in a life of a Rasta man from attending Church and preparing their Ital food products.
The article educates you about Rastafarians lived a pure live and not condoning violence. You learn they do not eat any type of meat other than fish and no products from animals. They don’t use any type of birth control because they feel as if that is what the white man uses to secure and limit the black race.
Jacobson speaks about Bob Marley was stated about Rastafarian l living positive non threatening lives and how they are just people trying to rise up and left blacks out of oppression, they just want to better themselves. Rastafarians want to see the world as what it’s suppose to be. Also Jacobson speaks about Marley’s beliefs on marijuana and what it does for the human body.
• King, Stephen A., International Reggae Democratic Socialism, and the Secularization of the Rastafarian Movement, 1972-1980, Popular Music & Society, Fall98, Vol. 22 Issue 3, p39, 22p This article shows that Rastafarian people are down people who have a positive influence on the African American community and the youths that live there. The article shows that even though these groups of people are known to smoke a large amount of marijuana they are still in good mind. International Reggae, Democratic Socialism, and the Secularization of the Rastafarian Movement familiarizes us with Marcus Garvey and his teachings that he brought all over the world.
A greater portion of this article had many different thoughts from people and what they believe about the Rastafarian religion. You can se that many people around the world especially from the westernized civilizations were totally against the idea and this new Bobo Ashanti religion. Western countries see Rastafarians as disastrous. They believe that blacks need to rise up because they are greater beings. And also that Ethiopia is heaven on earth and when they die their souls will reunite there which Emperor Haile Selassie.
• Simpson, Elizabeth B., Religion ruled valid defense in drug case. New York Times, February 3, Vol. 145 Issue, 912 “Religion ruled valid defense in drug”, was an article published in the New York Times on February 3, 1996. This article states that Rastafarians can use their religious belief that marijuana is a sacrament as a defense against drug possession charges which a Federal appealed that a court ruled. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned the misdemeanor marijuana convictions of three Montana residents, saying the trial judge improperly barred evidence of their religious views. With this happening there were many protests from people who believed that Rastafarians should not have this special treatment. The article also gave a brief background that Rastafarianism, which originated in Jamaica, teaches that marijuana brings believers closer to divinity and enhances their spiritual unity. And the religious freedom law was passed in response to a 1990 Supreme Court ruling that allowed a peyote prosecution despite claims by some American Indians that using the drug was central to their religion.
• Wexler, Paul L., Rastafarian spirit replacing violence in dancehall lyrics, Billboard; November 19, 1994, Volume.106, Issue 47, pl, 2p, 4bw
The article Rastafarian spirit replacing violence in dancehall lyrics discusses a genre of music called dancehall which originated in Jamaica. Dancehall lyrics primarily consist of graphic sexuality, gangsters, gunplay and violence. Many people around the world especially from thee Western civilization are against and oppose this type of music. During the early to mid 1990’s Jamaica was stated to be the most crime ridden island and the music which the youths had to listen to sure didn’t help this cause. Before this time there was another popular genre of music which was called “conscious”, “culture” and “reality” which was used to describe Spirituality. These lyrics often reflected social concerns and passionate belief in Rastafarianism. Conscious music cooled down for about a decade but in 1993 a Rastafarian man named Buju Banton came along with a hit song called “Murderer”. After this song came out many more Rastafarians and individuals with Rastafarian spirituality such as Capleton, Terry Ganzie and Louis Culture arose in the music industry and produced Reality tunes.
This article informs us about the life of Rastafarians and their religion Bobo Ashanti. It tells us about Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, their traditions, Prophet Marcus Garvey and how Rastafarians are not harmful to the society and should not be discriminated against because f their religion. Also it addresses their symbolism of marijuana (known to them and Jamaicans as “ganja”).
Books
• Barret, Leonard E., The Rastafarians: Sounds of Cultural Dissonance. Boston: Beacon Press 1988.
Many view Rastafarians as outcast and in this book you can see the views of one man who believes this very thong. Barret shows us our thoughts and beliefs about Rastafarianism. Barret states that Rastafarians are potheads who use Rastafarianism as an excuse to smoke even more weed. In his book you get to see that he is not very fond of Rastafarians. He makes his readers hear through his words that he doesn’t believe people should consider Rastafarian as a religion. By reading Barret’s book you also learn many facts about the way of life for Rastafarians. True Rastas only eat I-tal food, which is a unique food because it never touches chemicals and is completely natural. This food is cooked without salts or preservatives. We also learn other facts about their way of life such as the church they pray at and the men and women roles and how they differentiate.
• Van De Berg, William R., Rastafarian Perceptions of self and Symbolism in Peter B. Clarke (Ed). New Trends and Developments in African Religious. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. 1994.pp 159-175
Van De Berg’s book goes into depth about Rastafarianism and their beliefs. He discusses the Star of David and the Lion of Judah as being a connection to Haile Selassie. You learn in this book that Rastafarians was created in the early 1900 hundreds due to the social and poor economic conditions of Black people in Jamaica. And that the primary founders were Marcus Garvey, Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen also known as Emperor Haile Selassie (Power of the Trinity) and Leonard Howell. Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie was the black messiah who appeared in the flesh for the redemption of all blacks exiled by white oppressors.
This book also informs us about the Rastafarian Movement in Jamaica and the United States; you learn about how many Rastafarians lives were taken because of their belief and other ways high authority such as the police would humiliate them. Van De Berg also gives us his view on the religion and if he thinks it should be recognized as its own religion.

Bibliography: • Simpson, Elizabeth B., Religion ruled valid defense in drug case. New York Times, February 3, Vol. 145 Issue, 912 “Religion ruled valid defense in drug”, was an article published in the New York Times on February 3, 1996