Masimba - I see what you saying, but I think we'll have to agree to disagree. Surely one of the biggest threats to an honest people is mis-representation. I have seen this happen to honest Black people all over the world, mis-respresented as thieves, rapists, drug dealers etc, to the extent where we ourselves start to beleive the hype and start fulfilling that terrible destiny. With a movement such as Rastafari trod, which others can "join" (you know what I mean), surely its vital that InI are not mis-represented in this way, as misinformation then spreads in schools, work places, and other areas where InI can be oppressed, (all they need is a simple excuse to oppress InI!). People of truth must advocate truth at all times, otherwise pure confusion is sown.

Where I do agree with you is about the issue of not being infiltrated by those who have a destructive agenda. I think though that rather than sheltering behind the cloak of mis-representation or mis-information, the cloak should rather be anonimity. By that I mean, the fact that Rasta business is rarely mentioned in the press and world media is a good thing. I work in the media myself, and although I admit I sometimes get frustrated that Rasta doesn't seem to have a media voice or presence, locally or nationally about certain important topics of InI concern, (from legalisation of ganja, through to he development of Africa), I also acknowledge that the fact that the media seem to leave InI alone in most cases, allows InI to simply get on with I works quietly without intrusion, interrogation or interferance. It's a bit of a double edge sword though, as I am passionate about Iducation, and I am worried about how InI are Iducating the world about InI teachings. Rastafari is not an evangelical movement in the sense that InI don;t look to convert no-one. That said, how do InI ensure that this truth will not be buried with this generation? How are InI continuing the teaching? Use of the media, in I opinion, is a tool InI can use for InI benefit as well, (such as this website).

Of course this is a huge issue, but in closing, I would say that mis-representation is potentially harmful to InI, and I personally would rather be ignored all together, than mis-represented. What do you think about that? This is just I opinion.

Give thanks,

Ras Shawn Naphtali