The entire world, it seems, is engaged in warfare of some type, we’re threatened by nuclear destruction. I ask, however, could it be that everything is proceeding according to the laws of nature that structure humanity’s destiny? In spite of the grim outlook depicted today, the war between Russia and Ukraine, the displacement of millions fleeing for their lives for reasons that makes no sense. However, I am optimistic because I believe that everything is inter-related. Concurrently, Babylon is falling, and Rastafari is rising. The fire of Rastafari was ignited nearly a century ago by men like Marcus Garvey, and Leonard Howell, subsequent to the coronation of Rastafari who was crowned; The king of kings, Lord of Lords, and the Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah; by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Africans in the diaspora who were Christian saw Rastafari’s crowning as the return of their biblical Messiah; the second advent of Christ.
Other non-religious Africans embraced Rastafari without any theological rationale , but out of the recognition of the importance of a nation to define for itself; as self-determination is an inalienable right. Throughout the diaspora, Rastafari is inexorably rising, both slowly and bitterly. Slowly, because it has taken nearly 100 years for the consciousness of the African masses to conceptualize Rastafari. Bitterly, because Rasta culture was both advocates and consumers of marijuana in the days before the scientific validation of it’s medicinal properties, and health benefits. However, Rastafari has grown exponentially subsequent to the 21 st century’s scientific research report of significant health benefits of marijuana among veteran’s with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Marijuana is used by Rastafarians as a sacrament, that is, an act which imparts divine grace; just as wine is a sacrament in Christian worship. The name, “Haile Selassie” in the Amharic Language means, the power of the Trinity. The house of Rastafari is therefore, being built by the Lord himself; with unstoppable momentum, Rastafari is rising, rising in the flames of righteousness to meet the needs of this, our time. Rising to create a new conception of God; God as a Black King, God as a man and not a demi-god, a man with a mother and father known; not from a virgin birth but according to natural law.
The God of the Rastafarians is a historical figure, an African, not someone from another race, a spook, or a holy ghost. Through a process of subliminal conditioning, with the white picture of Jesus, the Africans and the entire world was conditioned to see, believe and to think of God as a White man. Rastafarians, refute this notion with a quote from the Torah, “ Man is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)”. According to archaeological evidence and other scientific finding’s, the original man was Black African. Being made in the image of god means being Black. The god-head conception of the Rastafarians is that of an African king, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie 1st. At the appropriate time, having completed my professional education, I embarked upon the quest of finding my true self. I knew this quest would entail walking away from the secure environment, leaving my past, and walking into the unknown which took me back to my roots. In Jamaica, I met Rastafarians and felt an attraction and synchronicity with their energy; it was as natural as being myself; only with a much deeper sense of identity. When I encountered Rastafari, for me was an awakening from the deep sleep of Afro-American socialization, a breaking asunder of the erroneous views held by Black Americans about the concept of “Messiah”. Rastafari is a journey into Afro-centrism that evokes serious thought regarding international politics, and the subliminal processes which up-hold racism, and denigrate the African. Rastafari is a boat that ferries the slave across the sea of forgetfulness to the shores of freedom, self-determination and Afro-Centrism. Previously, I was devoid of the knowledge of myself as an African. In fact, my education involved the subliminal conditioning against my Blackness because it makes members of the dominant culture feel uncomfortable. Blacks in the professional arenas must exercise great caution against being,” too black”.
Divine Providence brings the evolving African to a mental precipice , which requires a leap of faith. He must choose between Eurocentric or an Afrocentric life. The Eurocentric lifestyle offers integration, tentative acceptance, access to material existence and compromise of the soul. Afrocentrism offers the opportunity to truly optimize your potential and be yourself at the risk of socioeconomic marginalization. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, I chose Rastafari! For my initiation, I lived in a Rasta community outside of Montego Bay, near the Nyabinghi center, in Grandville. During that summer, I reasoned daily with: Jah Victor, Pepsi, Q-Shaun, Jean, Valerie, Sandra, and Brian. We would meet at the sea-side daily, smoke Ganja, and reason about the Bible, slavery, a historical injustice, and the legacy of Rastafari. Words are born to bring into fruition the energy and creative intelligence inherent in the sound, idea of the word. The word “RASTAFARI”, has within its vibration a celestial power which unlocks the mental chains of slavery; which itself is a sin and a curse.
RASTAFARI is a name of God, the blackness inherent in the universe, a name that is embraced, loved by millions, recited daily, and invoked in prayer by millions of black men with locks and beards the world over. Rastafari is a name associated with the word “ Nyabinghi “ which means. Nya = black and the word, binghi = victory; Black Victory! The rhythms of the Nyabinghi drum of RASTAFARI are mystical; they are used to call forth the rise of self- awareness, in the quest of self- determination. Lift every black voice and sing until earth and heaven rings out with the New Name of God with the celestial cry of redemption for I& I, the head-creator; JAH RASTAFARI!
Dr. Yisrael is available for public speaking engagements, an introductory course in Hebrew alphabet and basic Hebrew reading, and personalize instruction in the Self-Reflection Technology of Consciousness. Interested parties should contact Dr. Yisrael at Babayshua@gmail.com.