Greetings to one and all. After witnessing certain things lately, I wanted to bring forth a reasoning on the matter of Rasta identification.
If ones claim say they are a Rastafarian, or a Christian, or a Muslim... they had better be serious, because it is a dangerous thing to mix vanity with livity or devotion. Outward appearances and symbols are always noticed first by people, but these looks can be extremely deceiving. As the Scriptures say, "render your hearts and not your garments." Plenty of people are not Rasta but imposter, or rastatutes polluting the teachings of His Majesty. When trodding Rastafari, heart and hands should be clean in JAH sight. How is it that one can give praises to JAH and in the next moment come with some slackness, profanity, indecency and hatred? What is this teaching the youths? It only creates a whole set of mixup. The Bible says that fresh water and salt water cannot come from the same spring, so as Rastafari how is it that ones are behaving in ways contradictive to what they are supposedly following? As a Rasta, one should always try their best to live humble. It is a spiritual trod above all else.
Cultural symbols can be misused, robbed, and commercialized. Images with meaning and purpose often become no more than a fashion statement. Some men and women pose as Rasta for ulterior motives, enticing the flesh and leading people astray. A Rastaman or Rastawoman shall be known by their heartical vibes and their deeds. Nuff dreads out there are robbing and killing in the streets, nuff people wearing the ites, gold and green, but not knowing what it means. Nuff artists in the music business sending mixed messages. Pure ignorance. However, this phenomenon is nothing new, it has existed since ancientcy. What better way to set a trap for JAH children than to come as a wolf in sheeps clothing? The devil comes in disguise, but he is revealed to the wise. The wiseman also sees what the masses usually overlook, true righteousness and simplicity in the soul of a man. A man like the Savior, a man like the Emperor, a man like the Prophet. The martyrs, teachers, and freedom fighters are often misunderstood by their own kinsmen and even their own followers. The people dem see and blind!
Besides the more obvious deceivers, those ones with the wicked intentions, the carnal minded and the hypocrites, people should also be wary of those who out of ignorance claim Rastafari, those who think it is all about smoking the ganja herb, listening to some Bob Marley songs, having a good time and shouting empty expressions of one love. Rastafari is a serious thing and it should be taken seriously. It is a faith and a lifestyle that should be respected. Although Rastafari is about love, peace, and unity, it is likewise founded in equal rights and justice, liberation, black upliftment, and African conciousness. It is about loving His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I. And it is about fighting a spiritual war, there can be no peace without justice, a Rastafari is revolutionary not a sedated conformist. Without these components, there is no true identification with Rastafari taking place. People cannot just rewrite what defines Rasta in order to suit themselves. While certain people may be sympathetic to the Rasta way of life, they never bother to find some understanding or educate and check themselves, and they do a disservice to Rastafari by presenting a watered-down, diluted version.
What is strange to me is why somebody would half-heartedly livicate themself to Rastafari. Most people come to Rastafari through revelation, through a natural mystic. It is way of life, not a national religion with ones indoctrinated in it since birth. Even if youths grow up knowing Rasta life from their parents or family, it is ultimately something they must personally seek and know for themselves. A way of life... if you do not live that way, then how you fe say Rastafari is your way of life? Of course, like any movement on earth there is disagreement as to who is Rasta and who is not. Dreadlocks or baldhead? Vegetarian or some meat? Black or brown and white too? These things are a personal matter really... between someone and JAH or someone and the next man. People will not always agree. Sometimes people avoid conflict and keep to themselves, but other times petty war and divisions come about. Yet some things are spiritual matters and can't be argued, indisputable universal messages like the Ten Commandments. No matter religion or creed, nobody has ever been able to argue with these laws written on the heart. And according to Yeshua Christ the two greatest commandments are to love JAH with all of your heart, mind and soul, and to love your neighbor... neighbor being any man or woman you may come across during the day. So why are there some Rasta imposters coming as dreadlocks and garbed in the liberation colors but breaking 9 out of 10 commandments and sitting on Babylon throne?
I am aware that because I do not look like a stereotypical Rasta bredren and because certain things of the culture were foreign to me during my upbringing, that certain ones could perceive me as a "false Rasta" or unauthentic as well. Perhaps some may even question my addressing this very issue. Some ones may ask I-man, "what makes you think you're a Rasta?", and similar things. But I say, "just ask my Father". I have nothing to fall back on, no images or symbols other than what I can wear, so if I am dealing with Rastafari, I am dealing with it straight from the heart. Yes bredrens and sistrens, live clean and let your works be seen. Stand firm and JAH will let you wear His crown, for no weakheart can enter Mount Zion. Selassie I!
JAHsh
