peace Rob.

i think this is a good illustration of what ones have been saying on this board for a while now about the reality of whites in the system being different - and your experience is a prime example as an Italian who is removed from the original context of the manifestation of the Rastafari movement. it is our life experiences which has a large effect on our perception of reality - that is why it is important(from an operational standpoint) for the dialogue and direction of Rastafari to be constantly guided by the interests of the original reasons for its manifestation. It is with the black Carribean experience that Rastafari is foundationally rooted - when this context is removed, there are many strange turns that the "faith" can take that in many instances can in fact contradict and work AGAINST the interests of the Africans in the diaspora seeking for self-determination and repatriation. That is why many times the "one love" philosophy is so often taken issue with - because it can and does distract from serious issues that effect black people in the diaspora.

That is where my viewpoint has evolved from - it is not that just because someone is black they are right (which was your accusation towards me) -it is the fact that there are perspectives that black ones have that as someone who identifies with the Rastafari movement, I have a responsibility to overstand and not ASSUME that hatred is the underlying cause - but a need to rectify deep seated issues that need to be rooted out in order for justice(and as an effect, peace) to cover the earth. When your heart is in the Right place one has the ability to have faith that true workers for justice will recognize their comrade in arms and the haters will simply fall to the wayside.