A Rastafari Interview

When I went to find out who is Ras Astor Black, I found out that the man I was about to interview is a complex and very intelligent Bredrin, committed and capable. He was first to give I full answers to questions I needed to ask, without complaint.

Before I get started on the interview, I would like to tell you a little more about the Man on the Move, Ras Astor Black.

Not only is Ras Black an ‘Action’ Bredrin, for INI movemant, Ras Black has been showing INI his determination for quite some time. He is currently involved in the Reggae Sun Television Programme and the Bredrin has also founded the Bob Marley Institute of The Arts and The Rastafari Village/Centre in Trelawney. This was no small feat, and according to my sources if you are going to Jamaica, this is a spot you will not want to miss.

Ras Black has created a cultural centre, which is a repository for Education and The Arts, in addition to being an actual Village where INI who are of the Rastafari Trod, can rest, tour, listen to the meditative Nyahbinghi drums and eat Ital, fresh food (be sure to ask him about the lobbying he did to establish a Rastafari Farmers Market for that purpose). There will be a Tabernacle soon in place as well, so that a vacation to this Educational, Cultural, Art and Spiritual Centre, will be a true Exodus out of Babylon for those who thirst.

If that is not enough, the Bredrin has had big aspirations and is making them come true, despite the Odds. When asked why he was so sure that his works would be fruitful he answered “Jah never fail I yet”.

He has an air of confidence which makes ones proud and encouraged, just by being in his prescense. Ras Black has from the year 2001, been running on his own party’s ticket to become a member of Parliament in Jamaica.

With this he would be the very first Rastafari to hold political office and in the future will run for Prime Minister! I believe the man is truly the one who will take the Poli-’tricks’ out of Govern-man-t for INI Rastafari and for all of Jamaica. Please check out Ras Astor Blacks links to his party webs, The Jamaican Alliance (JAM) at the end of the interview.

So without further delay, I welcome you to the first “Rastafari Expression” Weekly Column, and the very first Rastafari Interview with Ras Astor Black:

KI. How did the I come to trod Rastafari/How long has the I been trodding the path?

RA. It was 1963 my parents sent I to our Point District Post Office in St. James, Jamaica. That is the year when the Jamaican Government declare war on Rastafari, Bad Friday. While walking I man notice a police beating a Old Rasta man. The Rasta man was performing the task of a tour guide to a white couple. The cops stopped inflicting harm to the Rasta man after I told him I was going to tell my Dad what I saw.

I man father was a Justice of the Peace and was respected. Jah bless his soul. He was laid to rest on Feb. 6th 2004 after his work ended after 100 years.

In 1963 I man was touched by Jah to protect poor people..Rastafari

KI. Where did the I grow up, what was the I experiences before your present path?

RA. In the hills of Point District in St James, Jamaica.. at 13 I was in training for the ministries of Jesus in the Methodist Church

KI. What is your opinion of the Internet, in terms of the Rastafari experience?

RA. It is the best thing since slice bread. A Rasta man once said the internet is some thing to net I and I in a web. To expose Rastafari to the web, I did reasoning in Falmouth Library in Trelawney.

I knew before that a Rastafari singer was in the reasoning so I called out asking him the name of his group “the viceroys” Bannie shout forward.

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With about twenty five Rastafari gather around the slow dial-up I google the viceroys and Bannie picture came on the monitor .. the walls of the library echo Raasstafaarriii

KI. How does the I find the governing factors of Rastafari presently?

RA. There is none in place. Today Rastafari should have a spokes person in education, health, tourism, etc.

KI. Does the I have any suggestions to the Rastafari community in achieving Inity?

RA. Economic empowerment. Unity will come when Rastafari have the economic power to partner with each other globally

KI. How does Inity of Rastafari benefit ones in the Livity of Rastafari, both individually and on the global scale? Is Inity globally achievable and why is it necessary in your view (or opposite of this, if not necessary, why?)

RA. If Rastafari come to a Rastafari Country, (Jamaica) for a Rastafari Vacation and Rastafari meet them at the airport, drive them all over Jamaica, showing Rastafari Tourist Rasta Banana, Rasta Sugar cane, Rasta river, Rasta Theatre, etc. Rasta will make the money that they now give to all inclusive hoteliers of which I and I can not get a job.

KI. What has been the biggest trial or tribulation that the I has encountered since becoming Rastafari? INI Realeyes that in this Iwa, ‘locks’ an a green diet is accepted for different reasons than why INI are walking this way, so is there a next trial that I has had to endure because of your livity, or your faith?

RA. In Jamaica, the shitstem inclusive of the government use I and I Rastafari colours to attract business. The Tourist Board, Margaretville, Indian Gift shops, attractions are big exploiters of Rastafari. I man working to break this trend is a big job, especially because we have dreadlocks people begging them favors. Bob say never let a politician grant you a fava.

KI. INI know that it has been said that the Babylon system is a vampire? Can you interpret this for INI?

RA. The politicians and the private sector over tax the poor so they can enrich themselves.

KI. What is the challenge today walking in Babylon, but not being ‘of’ Babylon?

RA. Rastafari today is proving to the people that I and I are of Jah and now Babylon is feeling the effect.

KI. Is the I married? If married, does the I have Children being raised in the Rastafari Traditions?

RA. I am/was married to a cool lady of African American Origin. Together we have an Irie son whom can not wear dreadlocks and get a good job but as Morgan Heritage say “You don’t have to dread to be Rastafari”

KI. How does the I view marriage in the sense of Rastafari tradition, INI know some Bredrin and Sistren in the Livity do not marry in the conventional sense of marriage, often times opting to live together rather than obtain a license. What is your view on this? If the I is of this view, how does the I justify this with the 10 commandment law thou shalt not commit fornication?

RA. That was the teaching of those times, today, I and I know the stereotype the children experience in school.. We are in the world so we have to save the children from bad mind people.

KI. Education was always stressed by King Selassie I, how does the I see Education in these times, how important, and what should INI be doing to educate our youth, to supplement the Babylonian Education which the system provides?

RA. Help to develop the Bob Marley School for the Arts Institute in Jamaica http://www.bobartsinstitute.edu

KI. What is your opinion about the different ‘houses’ or ‘mansions’ within Rastafari?

RA. It is good, where one and one gather Jah Bless

KI. Does the I belong or align your self with any house?

RA. I man is a Rastafari, so I align as long as a Rasta ting

KI. Have you heard of the newer groups like the Fullfilled Rastafari, the Orthodox Rastafari, or the Messianic Rastafari?

No

Part One of Series..Part Two Soon Come!!