Research Institute for the Study of Man | |
The Earth Most Strangest Man: The Rastafarian by Mortimo Planno | |
The U.C.W.I was invited by Ras Tafari Brethren to tell the public what the movement
stands for, how it is organised, and what the brethren want. As we have shown, the
movement is not homogenous, and most of its members recognise no single leaders or
group of leaders. Nevertheless, certain common desires can formulated.
All the brethren want to be repatriated to ETHIOPIA. There is no agreement, however,
on what should happen in the meantime. The majority recogine that they have to live,
and would welcome efforts to provide employment, housing, water and other amenities.
There is, however, a very vocal minority which regards any effort to help Ras Tafari
brethren in these ways as a plot to keep them in Jamaica. They profess themselves
to be violently opposed to any measures which might have the effect of rehabilitation.
At a meeting held on July 15th between the U.C.W.I. team, the Principal and a large
number of brethren, it was agreed that the following is a fair statement of what
Ras Tafari brethren want. In commenting seriatim, we also include our own recommendations.
Readers will find how very hard it is to tackle a problem like
this: and how easy things can be done. when People Recognizes one Right and act.
The goals and needs are specific and operational. There is nothing inherently impossible about them. The most important are also the most difficult and the most generally wanted. Of these, repatriation, that is, return to Africa, is undoubtedly the most passionately held and widespread demand of the Ras Tafari brethren.