Greetings sistren
Give thanks for the reasoning.

I too have some of the same questions you do. Nor do I have the answers. I do think the first question that needs to be delved into before going on to the others, is whether man has a natural propensity toward some form of hierarchal system(I prefer to say social order)?

If it is a natural occurence with man, then we have to find out when and where man went wrong and made it oppressive instead of edifying.

If it is not natural, then where did it come from?

I asked for examples of other societies who had a community that had no form of king/kween or council of elders as leaders of the community. If there are ancient examples to turn to then it could be argued that hierarchy is not natural for man. Yet as I have researched, there seems to always be some form of leader/king/pharoah etc appointed to lead the nation.

In my opinion, not all hierarchies have to be oppressive.

If InI thinks otherwise, then why appoint leaders and councils when InI know that they will be oppressive?

I think hierarchy has developed a negative connotation as it applies to white supremacy and imperialism.

BUT, we have to acknowledge that hierarchy have existed prior to europeans crawling out of their caves.

The etymology of hierarchy comes from "hieros (sacred)" and "archein (to lead)."

So essentially, hierarcy is a "sacred leadership"...well that was the inspiration behind the development of the word.

As far as "oppressive" hierarchy specifically in Rastafari, well that may need to be presented in a whole new thread.

Bless up