Someone’s personal opinion cannot divide something that had real unity in the first place. Many on this board have different interpretations of Rastafari, and many have a different focus in their journey. Some chose to focus on Selassie as God and savior while others see him as one who was able to galvanize African people in the Diaspora for the cause of Black Nationalism. This is division. It however does not have to mean disharmony. What we should be united under is the common desire for African freedom and an end to exploitation, not necessarily the uniform belief in the SAME doctrine or principles. This inability to accept different views on spirituality is a hallmark of Eurocentric Christianity and should have no place in Rasta. African people have always had differing interpretations of spirituality however it has always been THE SAME SPIRIT. This is the only truth and the source of all.

Rootsie’s post was her personal opinion as a result of her own personal experience and observation. She has not attempted to foist it on anyone, or determine how anyone should view anything. As is the purpose for all reasoning, it is for different opinions to come together and be discussed for the purpose of finding a HIGHER TRUTH BASED ON REASON. If her opinion has such potential to ‘divide’ then there was not any unity in the way you and many others have described.

I find it also interesting that many who were previously on the “One love’ bandwagon, and stated that all, regardless of race can be Rasta etc now are so incensed by a white woman simply opening a reasoning based on her own opinions and experiences AS A RASTA FOR MANY YEARS OF HER LIFE. Interesting indeed how ones conduct changes when their most deeply held views are challenged. We claim unity when it suits us a preach divisiveness when it doesn’t. If Rootsie’s whiteness is the issue then take issue with all other whites on the board uniformly. If her position on this board as a white is the issue well this board is not a democracy and we reserve the right to choose whom we wish. The Moderators believe it is important for an informed white person to assist in informing other whites. That is our right. All websites remain in the hands of our core organization and we allow those whom we wish to develop them from standpoints that we see as valuable. I deeply resent you insinuation of anyone buying his or her position on this board. It is offensive and false.

You have stated that:

“We should avoid compromising our loyalty to Africa in the name of intellectual expansionism/globalism”

If you see questioning the divinity of Selassie as disloyalty to Africa then I can only assume that you have a poor understanding of African issues. The African continent is not filled with Rastafarians who sight Selassie as their God. I suggest you read the reasoning on the Oromo on this site to see that you don’t even have to look that far to see African issues playing themselves out independent of the belief in Selassie’s divinity.

Africa is older and broader than Selassie and his legacy and AFRICAN issues will always continue to be on our front burner