Rastafarianism
...of Black people in Jamaica. The primary founders were Marcus Garvey, Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen also known Emperor Haile Selassie I (Power of the Trinity) and Leonard Howell. The Rastafarian religious and political movement has come under great scrutiny by society because of its beliefs and traditions. They have been referred to as a violent cult not only in Jamaica but also in America and Canada, where many of the members and sympathizers have migrated. In my opinion these myths are not accurate and I believe this religion in no different than any other religion of today.
The followers of Rastafarianism believe that Haile Selassie the former Emperor of Ethiopia, is the Black Messiah who appeared in the flesh for the redemption of all Blacks exiled in the White oppressors. The movement views Ethiopia as the Promise Land. The group has no individual leadership. Most of the members are men from thirty-five to fifty-five years old. Women play an important role in the Rastafarianism today, but the majority are followers of their husbands. In 1965 the membership was essentially lower class but this is o longer the case. The Rastafarians wee once considered “products of the slum” but Rastafarians now can be found among the middle class. They are found among the elite, some are students at the prestigious University of he West Indies and some are in the medical and legal professions and other upper-class occupations.
The Rastafarians have their roots teachings of Jamaican Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who in 1930 preached a message of Black self-empowerment and initiated the “back to Africa” movement. This movement called for all Blacks to return to their ancestral home, specifically Ethiopia. Marcus Garvey taught self-reliance in Jamaica where he was born, as well as abroad and preached a “back to Africa Movement” consciousness. Marcus Garvey in 1920...
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