“A house built on granite and strong foundations not even the onslaught
of pouring rain, gushing torrents, and strong winds will be able to pull it down. Some people have written the story of my life, representing truth what in fact derives from ignorance, error, or envy; but they cannot shake the truth from its place, even if they attempt to make others believe it.” (H.I.M. Haile Selassie, the first (I) – Preface of My Life and Ethiopia’s Progress 1892 - 1937)
“It is important that [InI] Rastafarians come to grips with our doctrine and faith relating to our concept of the Almighty. His Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie bears the title, Elect of God. He was not “elect of himself”, as some have misquoted, or implied. He always acknowledged that he was the instrument of the Almighty” Bro Karl Napthali.
Elders, brothers and Sisters of Rastafari, greetings in the divine name of our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Kristos the Nazarene who has revealed Himself to InI in the personality and character of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1, of Ethiopia, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God, Defender of the Orthodox Faith, custodian of the Davidic Covenant and Father of African Unity.
Today, InI are gathered here in this Nation Island of Jamaica to attend the Conference, convened by the University of the West Indies, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Report on the Rastafari Movement in Kingston, Jamaica, and more importantly, to host an inaugural Studies Conference. InI trust that this Conference will conclude with a statement that it is of paramount importance to Rastafari development that the Worldwide Family of Rastafari first convene its own Conference to deliberate and pronounce on the Fundamental Tenets of Rastafari before the University commences its own teaching and research programme in Rastafari Studies.
Brothers and Sisters, what will this Conference achieve for us this time round? A careful reading of the entire text of the original Report will reveal that it was, in some respects, wittingly or unwittingly, biased and racist to say the least. The style of writing simple reinforced fear into the
minds of the establishment. Horace Campbell in “Rasta and Resistance” had this to say:
“The Daily Gleaner, the voice of the planters and merchants which carried stories of Britain and the writings of the racist Rudyard Kipling, gave notice to the white cultural leaders of Jamaica of the true significance and potential of the doctrine of Howell by giving wide publicity to the charges of sedition which were being preferred against him because he sold pictures of a black Emperor. Within the space of one year Howell was holding meetings of more than 800 in the Pear Tree Grove and Leith Hall Districts of St.Thomas, the Parish of Paul Bogle. It was clear to the colonial authorities that the message of Rastafari constituted a potent anti-colonial message, for the Gleaner reporter declared on hearing Howell's message that: “Devilish attacks are made at these meetings on Government, both local and imperial and the whole conduct of the meeting tend to provoke an insurrections if taken seriously”
The Rastafari Millennium Council Facebook article by Ras E.S.P McPherson: Representing Rastafari into the 21st Century seems to corroborate this view as commented below:
“The ideological weakness of the “Sixty Report,” lies with the fact that the main purpose of it was NOT the history of Rastafari movement; but rather the presentation of specific policy recommendations to the Jamaican government of the day. The hope was that it would guide public policy in the context of the crisis to which the state of emergency declared in April 1960 to deal with attempted insurgency of Rev. Claudius Henry (‘The Repairer of the Breach’) and that of his son, Ronald Henry had given rise...”, did NOT manifest. [6] The historic government sponsored Mission to Africa 1961 – the first from the west did NOT change these contending perspectives of the Rastafari Community and the society. [7]”
Representing Rastafari Into The 21st Century - RAS E.S.P. McPherson. Taken from the Rastafari Millennium Council Facebook Site!
Rastafari brother and member of the Millennium Council, Prophet Greg, wrote in his brilliant book: Rastafari Messengers of the Ages:
“Another attempt being made to identify this Faith is done by various Universities. A compilation of news and ...
(See the attachment for the rest of the 11 page article)
A PAPER SUBMITTED BY GEBRE MEDHIN SAMUEL TO THEUNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIEIS CONFERENCE RE: NEGOTIATING THE AFRICAN PRESENCE. RASTAFARI LIVITYAND SCHOLARSHIIP: INAUGURAL RASTAFARI STUDIES CONFERENCE, AUGUST 17 – 20, 2010, KINGSTON, JAMAICA.
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