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Lothar121

Rastafarians Want Looser Marijuana Laws, Reparations
Associated Press | Jamaica Observer | 08/05/2005

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Dozens of Rastafarians from across the Caribbean and North America gathered in Guyana yesterday for a conference calling on governments to decriminalise marijuana, pay slavery reparations and repatriate followers of the faith to Africa.

About 60 Rastafarians from the United States, Canada and the Caribbean were attending the five-day meeting of the Caribbean Rastafari Organisation, said the group's chairman, Ras Frank I.

Frank said Rastafarians continue to be arrested, jailed and sometimes deported for using small amounts of marijuana, which the faith considers a holy sacrament.

"This practice by Caribbean governments should end," he said from the meeting in the coastal town of Golden Grove Village, about 17 miles (27 kilometres) east of Georgetown, the capital.

Frank also denounced what he said was a practice of cutting the hair of Rastafarians in prison or jail. Many followers of the faith grow their hair into long, matted strands called dreadlocks to express a oneness with nature.

"Some of us have grown those locks ... for over 30 years," he said.

The conference will also focus on ways of boosting economic opportunities for Rastafarians by seeking funds for mostly rural development projects from international aid groups, Frank said.

Guyana's government has already donated 500 acres (202 hectares) of coastal land to the group to be used for organic farming, he said.

The biennial conference plans to present petitions to the government and the 15-member Caribbean Community seeking assistance in winning reparations from European countries that participated in the slave trade. It also plans to ask the African Union for help in returning to Africa, a key tenet in the Rastafarian faith.

The religion emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s out of the anger over the oppression of blacks and spread throughout the region. It was popularised in the 1970s by its most famous adherent, late reggae legend Bob Marley.

Followers worship late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie as their god, and preach a philosophy of moving back toward African roots.

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grillmeats

I have been to the Island, 3 times, and have noticed how they hate Americans. They really hate our economy, because of the restrictions. They also hate the fact that we support making MJ illegal. This is why, Kingston is not a good place to visit, if you are a white american. This subject goes on all the time in Jamaica, as so does the fight for the legalizing of Ganja.

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killer12382

That's why they need to legalize cannabis....it will help curb their aggression.

troublemaker_42

Been there once, and I cannot say I was privy t any hate of those with white skin. In fact, if anything, they welcomed us with open arms, hoping we'd repay them with open wallets. I don't disagree Jamaica is a poor country, and that our govt has played a significant part of that (Anyone interestested should watch the documentary " Life and Debt"). However, to say they hate white people, IMO, is a gorss overstatement. Yes, there is a degree is racism, but it hardly extends to the Jamaican population as a whole. I find Jamaica to have, on average, much easier-going, friendly people than anywhere else i have visited. i felt safer than I do in many areas of the US. I'm not saying racism doens't exist in Jamaica, but I think its important to clarify that, as a whole, the people aren't racist. It IS one of those places where , in order to be respected, you must also give respect back. I can see how the average person would see some of the behavior there as racism, but in the end it comes down to respect. I treated everyone I was in contact with the same repect I'd give a friend, and never once felt any animosity or negative vibes coming my ways. Then again, seeing the "typical" spoiled brat tourists attempt to interact with the Jamaican's was downright funny. They wanted all the respect in the world, and showed none. therefore, they were basically ignored. I actually saw a sense of justice in this. While such "customer service" would never fly in the US, I got a kick out of seeing it in action there. AS long as you don't go there with the impression you are somehow "better" than the Jamaican's themselves, you shouldn't run into problems, or I should say at least we did not. That probably has something to do with why I'm saving the pennies for another trip to Negril.....

grillmeats

TM it'll take more than pennies to get Negril. That Customer service is fine, but that's just the cover of the book, it's the inside with the content.

 

troublemaker_42

I wasn't speaking of only the "customer service" aspect. i was not only in Negril....I was also up in the mountains, where seeing a white face was almost uncommon. I spent time with Jamaican families. I saw a lot, heard a lot, learned a lot. I saw no indication of racism in any conversation I had, nor did I see racism in my observations. I have no doubt Kingston is different, and quite frankly, i habe no plans on going there. However, to simply say Jamaicans hate White people is just painting with too broad of a brush. Yes, racism is there, but if you can show me a place where SOME members of a group aren't prejudiced against SOME members of another group, I'll show you utopia. I still think its WRONG to portray an enitire group of people as racists because of the beliefs of SOME of the members of that group. Thats like saying "Americans hate black people". Do you consider that true? I don't. If you had said "there's a group of US citizens who are members of the KKK, and these americans hate black people" you'd be much more accurate in what you were saying.

grillmeats

That's why we live is a great country, we all have the right to say our point of views. The reason that I was giving mine was because I was buying property out there and changed my plans at this point.
TM it was nice debating with you again. Have A nice Day!

GM

killer12382

But racism is somewhat embedded within the Rasta religion. White people = white devils. Oh, I'm sure there are those that will say it just isn't true anymore, but the hateful feelings are still there.

BC.Buddy

I'm surprised Rastas can't smoke in Canada legally. Maybe they can, I don't know. But it would shock me if they couldn't. The claim that it's part of their religion is extremely legitimate, and would have great political weight here in Canada.

In fact, I really think it's impossible to be turned down. Have they ever tried and was it struck down, or was it possible.

My instincts are that Mamabudz may know, she seems privy to just about every fact under the sun.

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ChronicSmoke7

TM and I alread figured out that Rastas cannot legally smoke in the U.S. although times change.....I have no clue about Canada