LIBERAL VS CONSERVATIVE RASTA
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liberal vs conservative rasta
by negus shabaka
I actually grew-up with a conservative Rasta father and a conservative-minded, but liberal leaning mother. So to me, while growing up in the Virgin Islands, all Rastas were "conservative". Ones who were not conservative couldn't really be considered Rasta. However, I didn't realize how liberal some Rastas could be until I started surfing myspace.com and talking to various people who purport to be Rasta. Here is what I've noticed to be (what I have termed) "liberal" and "conservative" Rastas broken down into a few categories:
Acceptance:
Liberals appear to be all inclusive. That is to say, to a liberal, anyone, whether homosexual, white, bald-head, etc. can be Rasta, so long as they claim to hail H.I.M. Haile Sealssie I.
Conservatives seem to be very particular about who they consider to be a Rasta. To them, a Rasta can be anyone who is at least of Black-African decent, heterosexual, Knotty Dread
Appearance:
Liberals appearance from the female POV is ...well, liberal. To a liberal, a female Rasta can be scantly dressed, wear excessive make-up, have perms, weaves, extensions, and various "un-natural" hairstyles. From a male perspective, liberal Rastas pay attention to a lot of grooming. That is to say, locs are always neatly and nicely twisted and face is clean shaven or shaven in some particular style.
Strictly conservative Rasta women typically wear dresses or long skirts with head wraps in public. If not, they don't really dress scantly and seem to dress "elegantly" depending on the occasion. Make-up is not worn at all or is worn conservatively and they wear their hair naturally whether it be afros, plats, lox, etc.
Both Conservative and liberal men seem to dress however they choose with turbans, tams, or not. They may wear African garb and religious robes. The y grows beards and locs and locs are typically "organic".
Spiritual/Religious Beliefs:
Liberal Rastas may or many not Hail H.I.M Halie Selassie I. If you ask such a person, "hey, what is your view of H.I.M. Emperor Halie Selassie I?" You would get a reply to the effect of "Well, he was a great man, but..." Or, they really have no perspective on H.I.M. and believe more so in Jesus.
Conservatives generally recognize some divine aspect of H.I.M. and partake in various religious and spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, binghi, etc.
Diet:
Liberal Rastas don't necessarily have any dietary considerations. They general consume sea scavengers such as shrimp, crab, lobster and other crustaceans, don't follow any Livitcal guidelines, and may or may not consume animal products depending on what mood they are in. Liberals also tend to consume strong, cancer-causing alcoholic beverages and have no issues with being drunk and/or intoxicated.
Conservatives follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet.
Conclusion:
So now the question is, what is Rasta, who is Rasta? Generally speaking, at this point in Rasta history, there appears to be no uniformity. In a sense, it's every wo/man for himself. The only thing keeping "the movement" together is the respect and brother/sister-hood amongst Rasta people. However, it's my view that the majority of people purporting to be Rasta do not have a developed or fully developed spiritual faculty. Rasta seems to have become simply a badge of cultural pride.
Let's be clear. Regardless of the mystical ideas of Rasta being "from creation" and the utopian ideas of "one love", the Rasta movement started as a post African Holocaust (what Europeans have been calling the 'slave trade') ideal with the aim of bringing about the redemption of Black-Africans. Has this redemption occurred? It seems to me that it hasn't. The question we have to ask our selves is where and how did the movement fail? Has it failed? Or is it too soon to declare failure?
In my opinion, one reason for failure is that Black-Africans have fallen into the trap of Western ideals. That is to say, we have not gone above and beyond the limitations of what we learn in Western institutions. We have also fallen prey to the pop media culture for the sake of material gain. And we really have little sense of useful spirituality. How do we change/transform/transmutate our Self? The fact is that we all individually have to accept responsibility for our own destiny.
Another aspect of failure comes about from all these individuals who claim to be artists and misuse the power of Word and Sound. With Rasta being a predominately oral tradition, I think that most contemporary musical artists have failed miserably to uplift the mentality and spirituality of the yutes and have basically "sold-out" to sell records opting more so to write and sing "lust ballads" and promote a gangsta/murder/material mentality. I think the question they have to ask themselves is what is the purpose of your life? Sadly, most ppl have no idea and can't even begin to answer that question.
P.S BEWARE OF THOSE HIPPIES INA RASTA CLOTHIN
by negus shabaka
I actually grew-up with a conservative Rasta father and a conservative-minded, but liberal leaning mother. So to me, while growing up in the Virgin Islands, all Rastas were "conservative". Ones who were not conservative couldn't really be considered Rasta. However, I didn't realize how liberal some Rastas could be until I started surfing myspace.com and talking to various people who purport to be Rasta. Here is what I've noticed to be (what I have termed) "liberal" and "conservative" Rastas broken down into a few categories:
Acceptance:
Liberals appear to be all inclusive. That is to say, to a liberal, anyone, whether homosexual, white, bald-head, etc. can be Rasta, so long as they claim to hail H.I.M. Haile Sealssie I.
Conservatives seem to be very particular about who they consider to be a Rasta. To them, a Rasta can be anyone who is at least of Black-African decent, heterosexual, Knotty Dread
Appearance:
Liberals appearance from the female POV is ...well, liberal. To a liberal, a female Rasta can be scantly dressed, wear excessive make-up, have perms, weaves, extensions, and various "un-natural" hairstyles. From a male perspective, liberal Rastas pay attention to a lot of grooming. That is to say, locs are always neatly and nicely twisted and face is clean shaven or shaven in some particular style.
Strictly conservative Rasta women typically wear dresses or long skirts with head wraps in public. If not, they don't really dress scantly and seem to dress "elegantly" depending on the occasion. Make-up is not worn at all or is worn conservatively and they wear their hair naturally whether it be afros, plats, lox, etc.
Both Conservative and liberal men seem to dress however they choose with turbans, tams, or not. They may wear African garb and religious robes. The y grows beards and locs and locs are typically "organic".
Spiritual/Religious Beliefs:
Liberal Rastas may or many not Hail H.I.M Halie Selassie I. If you ask such a person, "hey, what is your view of H.I.M. Emperor Halie Selassie I?" You would get a reply to the effect of "Well, he was a great man, but..." Or, they really have no perspective on H.I.M. and believe more so in Jesus.
Conservatives generally recognize some divine aspect of H.I.M. and partake in various religious and spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, binghi, etc.
Diet:
Liberal Rastas don't necessarily have any dietary considerations. They general consume sea scavengers such as shrimp, crab, lobster and other crustaceans, don't follow any Livitcal guidelines, and may or may not consume animal products depending on what mood they are in. Liberals also tend to consume strong, cancer-causing alcoholic beverages and have no issues with being drunk and/or intoxicated.
Conservatives follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet.
Conclusion:
So now the question is, what is Rasta, who is Rasta? Generally speaking, at this point in Rasta history, there appears to be no uniformity. In a sense, it's every wo/man for himself. The only thing keeping "the movement" together is the respect and brother/sister-hood amongst Rasta people. However, it's my view that the majority of people purporting to be Rasta do not have a developed or fully developed spiritual faculty. Rasta seems to have become simply a badge of cultural pride.
Let's be clear. Regardless of the mystical ideas of Rasta being "from creation" and the utopian ideas of "one love", the Rasta movement started as a post African Holocaust (what Europeans have been calling the 'slave trade') ideal with the aim of bringing about the redemption of Black-Africans. Has this redemption occurred? It seems to me that it hasn't. The question we have to ask our selves is where and how did the movement fail? Has it failed? Or is it too soon to declare failure?
In my opinion, one reason for failure is that Black-Africans have fallen into the trap of Western ideals. That is to say, we have not gone above and beyond the limitations of what we learn in Western institutions. We have also fallen prey to the pop media culture for the sake of material gain. And we really have little sense of useful spirituality. How do we change/transform/transmutate our Self? The fact is that we all individually have to accept responsibility for our own destiny.
Another aspect of failure comes about from all these individuals who claim to be artists and misuse the power of Word and Sound. With Rasta being a predominately oral tradition, I think that most contemporary musical artists have failed miserably to uplift the mentality and spirituality of the yutes and have basically "sold-out" to sell records opting more so to write and sing "lust ballads" and promote a gangsta/murder/material mentality. I think the question they have to ask themselves is what is the purpose of your life? Sadly, most ppl have no idea and can't even begin to answer that question.
P.S BEWARE OF THOSE HIPPIES INA RASTA CLOTHIN
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Demeku on -
guess the i would have lots to say bout i as i am a non dreaded, semi-meat eater. bein a model i do wear heavy makeup (not in everyday life, but it is required for some photo shoots) from time to time and scantily clothed from time to time too.
de i say "However, it's my view that the majority of people purporting to be Rasta do not have a developed or fully developed spiritual faculty."
i will address dat by sayin dat i am troddin de path 2 righteousness. before one can walk dey must first learn to crawl. if de i wan fe judge a book by de cover den i most likely will be comin from babylon. however if de i take de time & look within de i may see somethin different. de i may see a clear path OUT of babylon is bein trod. one cyant just wake up one day an say, 'i'm here!' without first travelin de distance. it a journey. if de i knows a way i can stop troddin & skip to the end where the knowledge would already be gained please share with i lol! no, on second thought, dat a shortcut i no wan fe take!
bless up
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Permalink Reply by Ras Nandor on -
Blessed love
I see a difference between those who say "I am trodding the road to righteousness, I'm not there yet and maybe stumble and fall along the way, but I am on the way", and others who say "I have no need of instruction or advice, I can do whatever I like because I am already righteous in my own sight. Rastafari faith is whatever I want it to be".
I personally have many things to work through still. I have much to clean up in I life. I can seem contrary because I will always ultimately follow I inner guidance rather than the authority of another. However I welcome instruction and learning, especially from elders (and I give thanks for the presence of all of them here on WOJ), and I do not mistake my own ego desires for JaH guidance.
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Permalink Reply by Baby Tafari aka Jah Fireworks on -
Beautifully put, I can really relate to that, Bredrin Ras Nandor.
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Permalink Reply by JAH LoveIrit on -
This is an interestin reasoning. I enjoyed all the points of view. Not sure about the titles of 'liberal' and 'conservative'. I am a caucasian, lockswomban. Non-meat eating - totally vegan. Try to live as ital a life as possible. Environmentally conscious. Always interested in herbal healing over the chemical poisons of babylon 'medicine'. I was this way for many years before I even knew this was a Rasta lifetsyle. It was part of I nature. And all through those years I was looking fe something I couldn't seem to find. Some way of relating to the Almighty power. I was out of sorts with the 'traditional religions'. Didn't fit at all. Couldn't find comfort in the hypocrisy and joylessness I saw within them. I first learned about Rastafari through I love of JAH prophet, the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley. Then I couldn't get enough of learning - and I read and read about the faith. And as I learned, it seemed to I that I had found a home. Still it took I some years before I believed that I, as a white woman from England, could find acceptance as Rasta. Then I discovered that I wasn't the only non-black to have these feelings. And although I may not be black, I certainly would not describe I-self as any sort of 'hippy' type, or 'liberal' Rasta. I don't play at Rastafari. I feel it in I heart and soul.
Bless all.
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Permalink Reply by organic Pryncess on -
As a daughter of the diaspora it is my intention to make it clear that Rastafatri is our passage way back to Africa. Through becoming identified with his majesty we began to no longer see ourselves as mere slaves, but as truly Royalty, an identity stripped away from us and replaced with "chattle and nigger". The rastafari movement has since then expanded from Jamaica and has traveled worldwide and yet the message remains the same. As Rasta, we should drop everything that disconnects us from our culture. Meat (drugs, caffeine, etc..) and all other toxins contaminate our mind, bodies, and spirit so we should drop those immediately! Vanity is a waste of time, money, and energy so we should drop them immediately! As women we have no need to apply chemicals to our hair, skin and nails, we are created perfect. Also our dress and attire should promote our African identity. It may seem hard initially (it was difficult for me too!) but realize that all created "beauty concepts" promote rascism- white supremacy and the idea that you need to "make" your self appealing and beautiful, instead of affirming that we are already that which we aspire to be. We need to boycott all so called roots/reggae artists that do not uplift the image of the black woman and that promote ignorance.
Be mindful that as rasta we are training ourselves to regain a higher conciousness and sense of self that was lost to us when our culture was stolen.It has already beenproven that the oldest fossils known to mankind named "lucy" by the anthropolgists was found in the fertile crescent and analysis showed this species had a plant based diet. If our ancestors could do it we can definately do it. In order for us to survive as a movement and as a race, we need to fully commit to the livity. No more excuses, no more "trying" its either now or never. Stand firm in your livity.
Selassie I bless
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Permalink Reply by Baby Tafari aka Jah Fireworks on
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Blessed Love Sis Organic Pryncess!
Yes I, true true true. Natural. And I give thanks for the info bout Denkenesh (in Amaric) also known as 'Lucy', dat she was eating strictly Ital! I had heard other studies say dat the early people living along the River Nile ate hippopotamus, that there are traces of people hunting and eating such, which also suggests more strenght compared to the ppl of today coz they fought the hippos physically, using spears or sumtin..
Guidance
/Teee
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Permalink Reply by Aydee on -
From the few and far between thoughts it is good to see that there are still those who are willing to say what I find often gets left out in the discussion on Rastafari. It is and always will be a "movement of and for the people". Although we often tend to associate ourselves with the under dogs of society it is within this context that people of non-black descent ( I use not African descent here because of the fact that many people of colour are born there, i.e. South Afrikaans.) empathize with a situation that has escalated out of a collective nature to buy and sell the black African. Now while I do not underestimate the knowledge of our non-black brothers and sisters it is of the utmost importance that we do not try to sweep under the rug the horrors of the last 500 plus years. It is both misleading and a serious transgressing slap in the face. I do my best not to hold grudges so people have to understand that there are years of regressed memories and experiences that people not descended from the African slave holocaust will not and cannot experience.
Now on the aspects of the movement and the enduring qualities of a natural way of living, that is something that ALL are privy to having been born into this world. Having said that we must all understand the differences between religions and a natural way of living. One must and I repeat MUST study "his" story of our people. Why is it that all forms of AFRICAN knowledge are predominantly taught by white scholars? What would make European nations consider people who did not speak their language to be uncivilized and ignorant. Or why is it that most schools of thought are only validated by the Eurocentric way of thinking. Why are we of black African descent so inundated with all forms of Western visually cruel stimulants. These forms being everything from our food ways to our forms of celebrations. Our understanding of the elements, our ability to transcend the physical limitations placed on us. The sleeping giants must and will awaken.
Are we afraid of coming together for fear of losing our place in society? Has our sense of self worth been under attack for so long that we do not recognize our face in the mirror? Has Europe been so buried into our subconscious that the very mention of the words Africa, Ethiopia, black man, black woman, kinky, knotty, natty, Diaspora, slavery, plantations, drive fear into our very hearts. Have we been turned towards hating ourselves so much that we fear of facing the truth even when we know it. It is what it is. Understand what it is that you/we take within to our conscious selves. Question, examine, re-examine all that we come in contact with. For within the fire is gold truly purified and we must honestly look within ourselves deeply and see through the mass manipulation of the masses ( I mean them asses). I do not and would not question the integrity of any one... only their intentions. Is it to continue perpetuating the myths and stereotypes of an archaic nation of uncivilized barbarians. Or is it a return to the splendor of our rich history still buried beneath the sands of times. Time is short and the lessons are few.
"They will hide the very truth beneath your noses and make you afraid to look at your face..." ~Adriel~
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Permalink Reply by Baby Tafari aka Jah Fireworks on
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Blessings.
The article (or whaeva it is) gat some strong points, Ispecially the last part. But the conservative and liberal part is way to simplified far I to even consider. Lots are wearing long sleeves and headwraps etc but dont gat Jah at Heart.. this type a reasonment (the article) lean towards becoming pharisee biz, straight. Some ppl wanna fit in and be accepted as Rastafari to the point of becoming some kinda robots, but I wonder if most even kno or feel on a personal level why they do the things. If there is any depts in it.. and dats where the fear kick in when they see Idrens wid a real relationship wid Jah.
Tek a ting like I tattoo. Some come wid their robot voice saying its wrong, dat Rastafari shouldnt ave tattoos. But if U ask them why they dont gat nuff reason, just some bibleword totally teken outta context, and they neva care nuff to study it themselves. Its enough for them dat anodda Rasta said so, and so they wanna conform to dat one.
I-Wombman dont conform to noone, and aint noones puppet. I follow Jah direct. I might slip and fall from time to time, dats where Jah Grace comes in, and I am always ready to get up and march on no matter whaa. I an I be who I an I be and who I an I be needs no excuse. Jah Jah Loves I as I be - Rastafari - not liberal, not conservative - Rastafari, straight, without apology.
Love
/Teee
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Permalink Reply by JAH LoveIrit on
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There are no excuses. Rasta is Rasta. U either are... or u are not. U either live Rasta... or u do not. Hippy is NOT Rasta.
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Permalink Reply by Dawta Hodesh on -
InI say this always and will repeat this again.
The Ras Tafari Movemant has grown to a dimension that now include many children of long haired pirates and the harlot. InI Icent warned against this pollution. InI see these long haired make up lipstick wearing, meat eating, scavenger eating, ones that Haile the King Emperor Haile Selassie the First and Empress Menen with dem mouths, while their hearts burn with hate against his people. Bob Marley really dragged in de cats of de past with reggae. Now see dem deh hey ah chant folly while they CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF THE MOVEMANT.
What will happen when the true Ras Tafari trim dem natty???What will the long hairs do???
Raspect young Garvey for a well written article. Imagine de slavemassa ah send him cohorts feh destroy destroy destroy. From Jakes Homick to Helen the pirate Lee. Who next????
Well the fyah key has been lit for the cut and paste long hairs to chat what the TRUE Ras Tafari is. The same ones who kill and kill and kill will get destroyed or exposed by the elements.
Never get caught without melanin, the solar hormone, and send things to InI calling InI Hateorade...What a nerve of the long haired imitators. Humble yuhself fore u wrek yuhself. InI love the skin InI in.
Take that to the bank all the way from Groundaton Pinnacle. Your words mean nada for they reveal your lousy hateful hearts.
InI am a BLACK NUBIAN Ras Tafari. Does it hurt????Live with it.
"Keep it "LIT"
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Permalink Reply by Humble Wombman on -
Greetings,i've been following all the posts and always seem to come across similiar responses from you Dawtah Hodesh,the I would like to know what has angered you so much against fellow world of Jah members. for everyone (for the most part)is here to learn about Rastafari,and as far as i know no one has the ownership over His Majesty to call him their "God". I keep seeing comments about Long Haired ,and Harlots. Is This hatred against "white people" who hail the king or is it a personal issue the i have with some of the members. just curious. Bless!
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Permalink Reply by JAH LoveIrit on
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I have been keepin out of this cos it is goin nowhere. No quarter is gonna be given in this reasonin. But like Sistren Humble Wombman, I also am wonderin where all this hatred comin from. The intensity of it is palpable.
Heck, I don't pretend anythin. I am vegan, wear no make-up, dress modestly, live quietly, don't hang out wit anyone at all cos the people I know are not Rasta, and have no overstanding, and they live babylon materialistic party life. I don't consult wit any babylon doctor. I beloved King is a beautiful black Afrikan man - and he loves I for who I am. I love and hail the Hola Continent as the motherland of all creation. I found great peace when I was there. I read Bible, Kebra, Lost Books - and I praise Haile Selassie I, JAH Rastafari, and RASpec Empress Menen for a model of wombman. I am not here to trash, flay and denigrate others. I am here fe commune and reason wit Idren. Yes I have white on the outside. I am sorry if that offends some. Some will take I fe Rasta true, and some will say I can't be so. But it is not for mere human to pass judgement on another. Only JAH has that right. And HE knows what is truly in I heart and soul. So I will continue to be who I am and try not to let the haters get I down.
Blessings all.
Rastafari live!
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