from: Ras Wayne Rose
Blessings and love to all.
As the theme of the email suggest, it is certainly time to rally around Shashamene.
From our own experience, the best way to influence positive action(s) from any group (Government, musicians or fellow Pan Africans) is simply to act.
There are more than sufficient able bodied experts on the ground in Shashemane who fits the bill of "Experienced Extension Officer" (as proposed in the Technical Report section a.) Many of these experts (Sister IJahnya Christian, Mama Desta and Ras Tagass King comes to mind) are more than capable of providing training, and along with the current community leaders in Shashamene, do, and can continue to build on the establishment of a functional process of training, welcoming and hosting families, dignitaries and visitors to the Shashamane community.
If each of us listed in this email made a commitment of US$5 per month toward supporting a training and welcoming center in Shashamene, managed perhaps, by an available expert on the ground, and mandated by the current local and international community interest; we could certainly "Shame" those other parties (Government, musicians or fellow Pan Africans) who use the name, image and goodwill of Ras Tafari for personal aggrandizement.
There are over 60 emails listed here. My proposal is to have US $300 (60x5) sent from this collective per month toward a very specified and clearly defined objective. Of necessity, we would need to ensure that considerations be made for the legal and sociopolitical welfare of our chosen ambassador. (making sure that this person operates within a legal organization and, or retains legal status within Shashamane)
At the end of 1 year we should be able to showcase the positive gains of such an effort, show the current local and Federal Ethiopian authorities that we are serious about organizing and centralization, and thereby enfranchising others to participate in the continuation of building of a vibrant and viable resettlement community.
I am prepared with my first $5, will you join me???
“What is needed above all is patience which accepts delays, while striving to overcome them, and tolerance which comprehends weaknesses, our selfish ambitions, and our narrow self-interest, while seeking to strengthen our will and stiffen our moral fiber and devotion to principles and international morality; which can alone arm and shield and support us in the daily strife which is our fate as we toil to better the lot of Africans and all men everywhere. Unless we find the requisite courage and fixity of purpose to rise above ourselves; we shall be broken on the wheel of our own invention, slaves to our own despotism."
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APPENDIX 1
The Jamaica Technical Mission to Africa
(The Office of the Premier)
Jamaica, West Indies
As from Chion Hotel,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
March 26, 1962
H.E. the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Dear Sir,
Settlement of Jamaicans in Ethiopia
The Technical Mission from Jamaica which is now in Addis Ababa has been sent for the purpose of establishing closer cultural ties with Ethiopia, to try to lay the foundations for the development of trade between the two countries, and to discuss the possibilities of settlement of persons from Jamaica in Ethiopia.
The Mission is an official one and has full authority to deal with these matters on behalf of the Government of Jamaica.
While in the country we have had discussions with many Ministries on the subjects listed in our terms of reference. We have been treated with the greatest consideration and courtesy in every instance, and the proposals and ideas have met with spontaneous and favourable response.
The Mission humbly ask that we be given the opportunity of placing before His Imperial Majesty our ideas and proposals concerning the settlement of Jamaicans in Ethiopia, and of discussing them to this end. We have prepared the attached memorandum embodying these ideas and based on our discussions and observations here.
The Mission is composed of the following persons:
Mr. R.A. Foreman, Commissioner of Lands (Leader of the Mission)
Mr. W.T. Miller, Trade Administrator Ministry of Trade & Industry
Mr. Don Mills, Senior Economist, Premier’s Office
Mr. Rex Nettleford, Staff Tutor in Government, University College of the West Indies.
The Mission will leave Ethiopia on Wednesday, March 28.
I am dear Sir,
Yours respectfully,
R.A. Foreman
Leader, Jamaica Technical Mission to Africa.
H.E. The Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia.
JAMAICA TECHNICAL COMMISSION TO AFRICA
SETTLEMENT OF JAMAICANS IN ETHIOPIA
INTRODUCTION
It is now well known that many persons in Jamaica have for a long time had a very strong affinity to Ethiopia and the very highest regard for His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie 1. In some cases, these feelings have even crystalised themselves in the form of institutions notably the Ethiopian World Federation Inc., an(d) international organization with Jamaican affiliates, and the Rastafari Movement which is indigenous to Jamaica.
With the emergence of the rest of Africa in recent years and the leading role of the Emperor and Ethiopia in this development, these feelings have become more positive in Jamaica. An increasing number of Jamaicans now express the desire to establish closer ties with, and to settle in Africa – particularly in Ethiopia.
It is against this background that an initial mission was sent to Ethiopia in 1961. This mission consisted of some members of Jamaican organizations devoted to the idea of closer Jamaica – African relations; and while it was not an official mission representing the Government of Jamaica, in view of the strength of the feelings, that Mission visited Africa under the sponsorship of and with the blessings of the Jamaican Government.
As was stated by the Premier of Jamaica in the correspondence relating to the sending of that mission, the Government would follow with an official technical mission if the Ethiopian Government were of the view that possibilities for closer relations and for Jamaican settlement existed. The Technical Mission is now here to look more closely into these possibilities and to try to arrive at firm proposals.
The Mission has had discussions with officials in several Ministries and is grateful for the warm reception and favourable response displayed by all to the idea of settlement of Jamaicans in Ethiopia and closer relations between the two countries. The Mission visited Shashamane on Sunday, March 25, and was impressed both by the work of Mr. and Mrs. Piper and by the possibilities for further settler-development on the area of land so graciously provided by His Imperial Majesty.
The Mission would therefore like to submit to His Imperial Majesty the following proposals based on background information, discussions and observations. These proposals, when examined and discussed, will in turn form the basis of firm proposals which the Mission would like to make to the Jamaican Government.
PROPOSALS
The Mission is of the opinion that any project for settlement should be carefully phased:
- One or two experienced Extension Officer from Jamaica could be sent to Ethiopia to participate in the Extension Training programme at Awasa training Centre which was visited by the Mission. This would provide the Jamaicans with experience of the Ethiopian situation necessary for any selection and orientation programme that might be carried out in Jamaica. The professional experience of the Jamaican Officers might also be of value to the training programme of Awasa.
- Two young prospective settlers from Jamaica should come to Ethiopia for training as Extension Officers at the Awasa Centre so as to prepare them for work among Jamaican settlers when a settlement gets underway.
- As the first phase of a pilot project, six carefully selected Jamaican families could come to Ethiopia to settle on the Shashamane lands. This would be an ideal beginning in view of: The pioneer work of the Pipers, The proximity of the Awasa Centre and the Co-operative Farm and the need to make full use of the area of land already allocated for settlement.
- Full settlement of some 50 (fifty) or more Jamaican families could be undertaken, as the second phase of the pilot project, on lands which might be allocated by the Government of Ethiopia.
Following on (d) above, plans could be made for the early establishment of appropriate machinery for selection and settlement.
It is assumed by the government of Ethiopia would take an active part in the screening and selection of settlers. Already, from the discussions which the Mission had, it is clear that there is general agreement that the persons who would be most acceptable as settlers are those whose activities would have a positive impact on the progress of the country and who have a real desire to integrate into the Ethiopian community.
A Mission could be sent from Ethiopia to look into the Jamaican situation with special reference to settlement and to the establishing of machinery for selection. Members of the Ethiopia Mission might well form a part of any visiting Delegation from this country, to the Jamaica Independence Celebrations in August 1962.
The question of the establishing of a permanent Agency in Jamaica for dealing with selection and other related matters will depend on any arrangements which the two Governments might make concerning diplomatic representation.
Settlement in Ethiopia (e.g. of the first batch of 50 families) could be introduced on the Ethiopian side through the existing Co-operative Farm System whereby settlers would be afforded a period of orientation before assuming ownership of allocated lands. This would facilitate the settler’s transition into his new community and ensure to the first scheme, greater chances of success. It is clearly understood that such orientation farms would cater not to the Jamaican settlers exclusively but to the Jamaicans living together with those Ethiopians selected for the current Re-settlement Schemes. This would also facilitate the integration of the new settlers into the Ethiopian community which is deemed desirable.
On the matter of preparation of settlers, Jamaica could also devise a programme of orientation for settlers, which would be carried out in Jamaica during the period immediately before their departure from Jamaica.
(The participation of the Government of Ethiopia in this would be ensured by any Ethiopian Agency that may be set up in Jamaica to take care of all matters relating to selection and settlement.)
Associated with the settlement schemes could be a programme of technical assistance involving the services of Extension workers, public health nurses and doctors, teachers and other persons with particular skills which would be of use in the actual task of settlement. Such services could well extend to other communities in Ethiopia.
This aspect of any settlement schemes could provide an easy channel through which certain advantage could flow to the rest of the Ethiopian farming community e.g. newer farming techniques, improved public health methods, and an effective and safe transition from a subsistence to a cash economy.
Jamaican settlers coming to Ethiopia should come with the understanding that the acquisition of Ethiopian citizenship is open to them as is implied in the principles of integration.
(Discussions in the Ministry of Interior have equipped the Jamaican Mission with some knowledge of the present terms under which Ethiopian citizenship may be acquired. Any modification on behalf of Jamaican settlers will no doubt involve policy decisions, and might well be that arrangements relating to citizenship should be an integral part of any agreement between Jamaica and Ethiopia on the matter of settlement)
The question of Finance, being a major one, should receive the attention of both Governments at the earliest possible time. At this stage only the possibilities can be contemplated but some arrangement could be arrived at in principle on the matter of sources of supply and approach in tapping these sources.
Expenses in connection with the visit of two experienced Extension Officers (see 1a above) and of the visit and training of two young perspective settlers (see 1b above) might well be the responsibility of the Government of Jamaica.
Similarly, the expenses of the Ethiopian Mission proposed in 2 (a) above could be the responsibility of the Government of Ethiopia; as would the expenses in respect of any permanent Agency that might be established in Jamaica to deal with the subject under review.
The other aspects of settlement will demand such sums that a different approach may be contemplated e.g. joint negotiation by the two Governments with international organizations with the experience and/or means to assist in such matters.
GENERAL
It is hoped that once the above proposals are examined and discussed, appropriate machinery can be established at the earliest possible time by both Governments to work out the many details involved in such an undertaking.
For the Mission feels sure that many people in Jamaica wishing to come to Ethiopia could actually come and settle and make a positive contribution to the development of Ethiopia.
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From: Michael
To: Drummond
Cc: "ronaldreggaenomics>
Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: Appendix 1 & Memo
To: Drummond
Cc: "ronaldreggaenomics>
Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: Appendix 1 & Memo
These are my thoughts:
1. The Government of the day led by the Political movement called the PNP was heavily influenced by the concept of self government for the Jamaican people. The leaders, however were more intellectually inclined to discuss and seek to develop such an initiative rather than being convinced that the "masses" were ready and willing to assume that responsibility. It was felt that this process had to be "led" by those of the so called learned class/sector.
2. The leaders probably recognized that the Rastafarian movement of the then day was a genuine manifestation of the will of a sector of the " masses" and was trying to establish some context in which the movement could be assimilated in their political agenda. They however did not honestly believe that the sector of the society which was reflected by Rastafarian views should be an equal partner in the evolving process. That is why no urgency was attached to the report prepared by the delegation even though those entrusted with the responsibility to visit and report were quite radical (for the day) in their views and eventually (as for eg Rex Nettleford) became ardent advocates of a cultural definition which was first articulated by the Rastafarin movement.
3. The succeeding Government led by the JLP was into a divide and rule approach to political action in Jamaica and since the PNP seemed willing to at least listen tot the Rastafarian movement, they had to oppose that. This attitude inevitably led to the famous Coral Gardens incident and the wholesale persecution of Rastafarians and the diminishing of their leaders.
4. The exigencies of the political experience popularly called the "Cold War" has effectively together with the divide and rule syndrome which has morphed into political tribalism has effectively derailed any real attempt to advance the interests of the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica and it a minor miracle (also the strength of the overall Rasta message which has refused to die) that Rastafarians still have such a significant influence in the society.
5. The Government of the day (whether PNP or JLP) has become so entwined with and controlled by the financial powers of this world must not be expected to take any interest in advancing the justice of the Rastafarian experience. The singers and players of instruments, some of whom have amassed large fortunes USING the name of Rastafari must be shamed into contributing (financing?) this process instead of being just another set of exploiters who aggrandize themselves for the benefit of their families, friends and entourages only.
Maybe this only my pipe dreams.
https://theblacklist.net/
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