Greetings,

Indeed, i would not call myself a rasta as such, i am extremely uncomfortable with labels of any kind, believing them to be largely at the heart of a great many problems. The livity that i follow is remarkably close to that of a rasta, and rastas have had a tremendous impact on the way that i see the world, which is why i reason here. It is out of respect for the points of view that are being expressed, and in many cases their similarity to my own world view.

I would also like to point out that it is not so much that i dont care about the plight of african peoples, but that it is not the ONLY thing i care about. I live in a complex multi-racial society, to concentrate on the concerns of any one group to the exclusion of all others would be, in my opinion, to miss the point.

The kind of fundamental change required to make the world a more just place for african people would also have to address a plethora of other issues to do with power and injustice that affect a wide range of people, and for that matter the planet itself.

Indeed, for me, reasoning should be about honesty, even if that comes at the cost of not saying what it is that people may want to hear. Despite what some folk may think, this battle is being waged on more than one front.

I would also like to give thanks for the respect which i have been shown in this reasoning, despite its often controversial edge. All concerned have my respect in turn.

love and life
paul