Ayinde said: "I would say if people knew the antecedents then they can recapture more of the ancient meaning of Rasta, and Rastafari as a movement can be greater and have more depth."

I wholeheartedly agree.

Ayinde said:"I doubt I would accept Selassie the person as the symbol of our historical greatness, especially when we can easily read and study the works of others, and give them their due respect."

I am in wholehearted agreeement in that ones need to search the depths of history to find the roots and not simple get stuck in the Christian empire of Abyssinia as the be all end all. I do recognize though that it is THROUGH the symbol of Haile Selassie that the consciousness of many has been awaken out of the slumber, so I have to give credit where credit is due - this does not mean I advocate this as the pinnacle, but perhaps that first step that begins the walk of a million miles. When one takes the journey, the symbol reveals more and more.

Ayinde said: "Well I don't think people need to look to one person alone to learn and then realize that the 'Might of the Trinity' is in them. This is part of most ancient African concepts of Spirituality, which was also used in Christianity. I rather suspect those who did not know this just need to learn their history. It is far easier to fit Selassie into our body of ancestors than to try to fit all of them into him. As far as I know he did not demonstrate the ability to embody all of our ancestors."

I don't think they need to look to one person alone to realize this either - I am only revealing the way that the process has unfolded for me.