Rastafari Interview with Bredrin Myles Wise

From The Rastafari Expression,
A regular column by Kaya I Isesajah, Aug 01, 2005         

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

MW. Actually, I have been troding on the path of Rastafari for only a year. But the past year has been unlike any I have ever experienced, for real!!!

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

MW. Well, being that I am only 19, I grew up and am still growing up in Orange County, California. I have lived in this little surf city of Dana Point the past 19 years, except for one year that I was held exile in Utah in a Treatment center. Which brings I to my colorful youth days.

I was raised by gracious and loving Catholic parents who were vigilant about their faith. They tried their best to teach I the ways of the Roman Catholic church, but for some reason it didn't sit right with I.

Eventually I totally gave up on "God" and decided that there was no god. I did well in school up until the 7th grade when I decided to not follow under the Babylon Shit-stem. I thought Anarchy was the only answer, but that was because I was ignorant, and not learned yet.

I started experimenting with drugs, and Herb. Soon the drugs took hold of I life, and I started the downward spiral of self destruction. I mind and soul was overwhelmed by wickedness, and I could not see the Light because I was without the guidance of the Most High.

I turned to self-mutilation and increased drug dosage to try and drown I pain, but it just made I go insane. I landed in a rehab center which I promptly escaped from, then I was placed into a mental hospital. After a month or so I was deemed "sane" and released, only to return two months later with a belly full of over 200 pills of vicodin and sleep aids.

I had no hope for life, no mean or reason, so I tried to end it. But He had plans for the I. After I recoverd from the over dose they shipped I to a wilderness program in Southern Utah for 3 months, where we hiked all day in the desert looking for water. After that they sent I to a Lock-Down Treatment Center north of Salt Lake City.

I spent 10 and a half months there be systemized. Though, let I say that if I didn't get help I would not be here today. This all happened before I turned 17. After I was released, I just got a job a started working and going to school. But I started smoking the herb after a while, and this I parents didn't like, so I was out on the streets. After a few months I finally found a place with family of Mexicans. I rented out one room and shared it with one of the Mexican cooks from I work. He was a drunk, and I was always taking care of him, so I had to leave.

I got a job silk-screening stickers and other stock, which I am still working at today. After that I moved out and got I own studio which brings INI up to the present.

Last July I had yet come to know the ways of the Most High-I didn't really care about Him or know about Him. But one night last July, the spirit of H.I.M. Haile Selassie came to I in a vision, and let His presence be known and the Presence of the Most High be known to I. It was I baptism into I Rasta livity!!!

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

MW. The internet is the only portal of communication that I have with other Rastas--it is most VITAL!

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

MW. I don't personally see any governing factors because I don't see any other Rastafari in I area.

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

MW. I think that the Rastafari family is heading in the right Direction, just keep trodding.

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 albeit for different reasons INI are walking this way, so is there a next trial that I has had to endure because of your livity, or your faith?

MW. There is not significant event that has happened, it is just everyday things. People staring you down for your livity, at work people making remarks. But I just smile and turn the other cheek.

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

MW. Easily. Babylon will suck the life out INI, the people, it's prey. We are its source of wealth and power--without INI they would have nothing. So the hold INI down and suck the life blood from us.

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

MW. I feel lonely most the time. I have no real tight group or brotherhood. I feel like an outsider, like I don't belong.

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

MW. Married No.

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 action with the 10 commandment law thou shalt not commit fornication?

MW. I agree with what Ras Astor has answered to this one.

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?

MW. INI need to watch over our youth, and see what is goin inside their minds. Correct un-truths taught by babylon, show them the right from the wrong.

KI. What is the idea behind ‘not every dread is a Rasta, and not every Rasta dread’?

MW. Simple I, some people where dreads to be cool in Man's eye-others where them to be cool in Jah's eye.

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

MW. I think that EVERYBODY will see the path from a different view point, so having sects and branches is inevitable.

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

MW. Nope, just trodding I path.

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

MW. Not really

KI. There are so many views, and ideas of INI of Rastafari should sight His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, in terms of divinity, would you care to comment?

MW. I give Selassie I divine nature because He was the One who brought I to see Jah. He is like a personal friend and teacher. I learn and live by His ways, or try to. But I do not hold Him Higher above INI, because He was a man also, just like INI.

This is part one of two, watch for more...