Chapter 5 of Rastafarianism.docx

CHAPTER 5 -History of Rastas may be described as ?process of?.ambivalization?? ?Barrett -Hepner thinks Rasta history can be periodized. From about 1930 to about 1960-61, the Rasta movement was pretty much a Jamaican phenomenon. Most people had never heard of Rastas outside of Jamaica; it was local. This year really witnessed the radical rejection of Rasta society. Barrett might term this radical rejection period as ?flight.? Rastas fled from cities they were {judged} and formed communes. They tried to live outside Babylon and form Zionic places. In communes, electronics and money are not allowed?they are left with guard on the outskirts. This is all part of their rejection of capitalism. -1962, perhaps, through about 1972 represents period Barrett refers to as ?Routinization? although he calls it an ?ambivalent routinization.? Hepner calls it ?fight? because they decide to stay and fight. -Haile Selassie came to Jamaica, and he received the most praise out of any head/emperor/whatever the right word is; he met with Rastas; for the first time, Rastas were treated with respect by a government official, and in turn, Jamaicans had to treat government officials with respect. (-Liberation before repatriation: Rastas contributed to Jamaica?s popular musical development (the first of many contributions)) -Next period: 1972-present Globalization of Rastafarian movement; its globalization is occurring largely, peacefully and through reggae music. The first world religion to be spread through music (non-violently!!). Rastas would become the ?forerunners of the ideology of democratic socialism,? Barrett said. -This socialist project (and fascination with Manley) had nothing to do with the Soviet Union. -Part of Rastas? fight: to distribute the wealth and fight for democratic socialism. Why should 1% of the population be in conrol of 80% of the island?s wealth, Rastas ask. -The other 5% controls 10% of the wealth; 90% controls 10% of the wealth. -In the 70s, Rastas emerge with new image; no longer referred to as lazy criminals by the media. Jamaican society had previously DESPISED the Rastas. -But in the 70s, during routinization, Rastas emerge as social change agents, those part of the avant-garde, struggling for a better Jamaica and become pride of Jamaica. -Poor, despised, downpressed people to champions for human/civil rights= Rastas.