Well bredren I see how you ARE a ninja, because most Rastas, myself included, don't really like to think much about the Oromo.

But now I feel that if I am going to do honor to this ancient Rasta tradition which has nurtured me for many many years, I will be strong to follow my I-tegrity and I own common sense, even if that means ones burn fire on I for it.

Of course Oromo come here to challenge ones and ones worship of Selassie by reminding ones of the possibility that he was a man who erred, who made mistakes as all men do. I found ways over the years to rationalize, but I feel no need to anymore.

Some Rastas in Jamaica in the 1930's took hold of Selassie as symbol for worldwide Black unity and aspiration. Here was a fabulously wealthy gorgeously-attired King in Africa, after hundreds of years of brainwashment that Africa was a primitive and savage place. Holding to the symbol of Selassie was a way of upliftment and pride for many.

Now more and more idrens have learned of the REAL Africa, the rich source of everything people call 'civilization' today in the world.

And now more and more people are coming to a different understanding of "God' as well. And the concept of "I and I" states that understanding so beautifully, that I is of one substance and one essence with JAH, even though I like all other humans make mistakes. But I can refine, and make fewer and fewer mistakes, and see more of I own Jah-nature.

So I do not worship Selassie any more than I do my own self. And I don't need him to be perfect to still chant Rasta.

And so, I do not have to do intellectual acrobatics to deal with the Oromo reality, or just skip the thread and ignore.

Rootsie