Submitted by Yardbroom
My attention was drawn to an article in the Nation News by Yvette Best 5-27-2009 in which she reported that Ras Kudos Sage had said “Rasta profiling in Barbados should stop”…he further asserted…”they – Rastafari – are constantly being persecuted by the way we practice our worship and for the very things that define us Rastafari.”
The writer did not state a position but honestly reported the facts as she understood the opinions of Ras Kudos Sage. I will assume that Ras Kudos Sage has gathered information from his brothers and has personal experiences to justify that statement. His plea was also addressed to other faiths from whom he sought support.
Should we advance his entreaty by asking:
(1) Is profiling of Rastafari in Barbados a reality? – If it is.
(2) Who is doing the profiling?
(a) The general population.
(b) The police.
(c) Employers
(3) What effect has this perceived profiling on the Rastafarian community?
(d) How can they assist in its prevention.
(4) Is this possible.
If we accept that Rasta profiling is occurring in the general population, there must be reasons, are those reasons justified? If they are not, what can Rastafarians do to allay any perceived fears in the general population. The police interact with the Rastafarian community, as they naturally do with other sections of society, what are their experiences of those interactions?
Employers will always employ those who are of benefit to their enterprise, in terms of company image and profitable return for their monetary investment. What does Rasta profiling do to the self-image of the Rastafarian community? Do they interact with others expecting a negative reaction and are therefore aggressive…a self-fulfilling prophesy.
It is sometimes helpful to ask, not only what can a society do for us but what can we do for society. At times there is such a dichotomy between what society requests of us and what it is reasonable to deliver, that there is an unbridgeable gap. It is then we realize there are opposing forces at work but it has not got to be this way. It is only when we speak to each other we understand each other’s thinking, for this has proven to be the best way of solving perceived problems.
I have not ventured on the issues surrounding the death of l’Akobi Tacuma Maloney out of respect for his family and friends. I have always taken that position from the inception and I will not deviate now, as it surely will not address this “current” perceived problem…others will disagree, I respect that.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.