ICAR NEWSLETTER #4

ICAR News Publication 4

Recent news that Prime Minister Mia Mottley is
among Caribbean leaders now considering
cannabis legalisation that covers all of CARICOM
raises the question once more of why there is so
much equivocation concerning changing the
repressive laws under which this country suffers.

Over a year ago, the CARICOM Commission on
Marijuana delivered its report, in which there
was a clear call for legalisation. Before and since
that time, we have seen Jamaica, Antigua, St
Vincent and St Kitts/Nevis take steps to alleviate
the burden unfairly imposed on the region by
laws whose genesis lies in propaganda such as the claim that using cannabis made black
people think they are good as white people.

Why has our Government been so silent and inactive while our sons and daughters continue
to have their lives tarnished by out-of-date laws that deny a sector of our society, Rastafari, its
constitutional right to religious observance?

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“Medical marijuana”, a total misnomer as there is no non-medical marijuana, is now allowed.
However, it is the wealthy, who nearly never face charges for use of cannabis and who can
afford it, who benefit. What about poor people? Legal accommodation should be made to
allow those who know the benefits of this sacred plant, “the healing of the nations”, to grow
their own.

We were told in the current Government’s manifesto before last
elections that there would be a referendum on “recreational
marijuana”. This is almost a year and we have heard nothing more
about this. In the meantime, the jail keeps filling up with people who
have used a plant.

Last week, a world index revealed that 66 per cent of the world’s
adults suffer from stress, which is a killer. The vast majority of those
who use cannabis, including those who face the court as a result,
testify to the fact that it relieves their stress. This is a major reason for
its use.

Why then the talk about “recreational”? What people are doing is self-medicating and why
should there have to be a referendum on people’s intent on making themselves healthier?

This move to wait on CARICOM is nothing else but another effort to delay what CARICOM itself
has advocated. The least Government should do is introduce a moratorium on arrest while it is
twiddling its thumbs and employing state terrorism for the use of a plant which practically the
whole world sees as beneficial.

Yes, ICAR agrees that it would be “prudent and wise” to have unified legislation among
CARICOM members. InI do not agree, though, with the stalling tactics while our people are
being criminalised.

The Bible speaks of “framing mischief by a law”. This is clearly what is happening here.

Enough!

By Bro Adonijah

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How To Be An Elder

What is an el-der? And what are the attributes for being
a good elder in this time?
How do we get the system (educational and social
programming) out of our SYSTEM (our psyche and Afric
mind)?.
One of the things many African-based cultures have in
common is their reverence for elders which is deeply
ingrained in African culture. The African continent is not a
monolith, but our reverence for the elders and ancestors
is expressed in different ways and is always there. It takes many forms, including filial piety
toward our parents, obedience toward our many teachers, and deference toward senior
citizens.

The Yoruba for instance will prostrate at the feet of their elders to show respect. Bowing,
kneeling, bending down, and accepting things with the appropriate hands have all been
forgotten as the price of progress. It is considered disrespectful in the custom of the Yoruba
for a child, or young person to accept something from an elder with their left hand.

Reverence, however must be earned. Merely being around for a long time does not suffice.
We should all seek guidance and counsel from elders who have a track record of kindness,
compassion and most of all, wisdom of various African traditions. The reverence for elders is
only ideal and functional if the elders are kind, wise, loving and look out for the best interests
of the community. If people, no matter race, class, religion or creed do not know and embrace
their history, heritage, philosophy and varied belief systems, the factiousness of the Ego gone
wrong will produce arrogance against the vast universe. It is assumed that being an elder
equates to positivity and knowledge. What if some of our elders are negatively poled and
ignorant of the times we are living in? Should we defer to them simply because the odometer
of their life has a higher mileage? If we can recognize hopeless leadership and defer to
competent persons, why don’t we apply that logic to the elders in our communities? With all
respect, many elders have shown themselves to be of a one-track mind and have stopped
learning and by extension living.

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The etymology of the word (El) stems from Old French and was inherited from the Latin -ālis,
a Doublet of -al which makes an adjectival form of a noun, -(al). Diminutive suffixes are found
in words of Germanic origin. Many are not aware that the English Language beside the Greek
who literally copied ancient Kemet (Egypt)and Roman/Latin overtones also has some of its
roots in Germanic alchemy. The defacto suffix found in the word (Elder) where the tonal
significance of the letters’ combination (e) and (l) written together is a spiritual synonym for
deity, as in the biblical Micha-el, Rapha-el or Uri-el. El from its Semitic root refers to "GOD",
the Most High or Creator.

In linguistics, “syntax” refers to the rules that govern the ways in which words combine to
form phrases, clauses, and sentences. Be mindful that the way we greet (hello) contains the
concept el as deity along with the place. The Christian mind was conditioned to fear (Hell)
relating to the forces of specific deities. A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or
nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language.

The genesis of the analogy “once a man twice a child” may seem abstract
to some people, however Biblical Proverbs give us some guidelines in
telling us about how a man is born as a child, grows to adulthood and
consequently enters old age, where the degeneration of faculties causes
the effect of reverting to a childish state of mind. We must once again
see as a child to acknowledge we are more God than the (Hu-man/ego).
We cannot recover the innocence we had as children, youth and young
adults; however we have to make atonement for innocence before we can see others as god/s
in likeness of the creator. Phonetically when we speak words which contain “el”, depending on
our intent; we conjure, summon or invoke positive or negative energy. The El was a title
applied to several gods in Semitic traditions. The Canaanites used it for their chief deity, the
father of the gods and mankind. The Hebrews used el to refer to Yahweh. In grammar El is
a suffix forming noun originally denoting an instrument, from verbs, usually spelt (le) except
after (n) and (e).

This article was written by “Ras Ra Sekem Re Ba-Shango El”, I.C.A.R. member Ian Douglas, a
Rastafarian Shaman, creative director/international choreographer, Intuitive healer,
herbalist and botanist. He is the chair of the executive of House of Re-Discovery Charity No.
1065, with its core projects “Global Day of the Drum” and the “Etho-botanical lab and herbal
sanctuary”.

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With the current social conditions that we face as a
country, whose trajectory has been going on a
downward spiral for some time, it is crucial to us that
interventions of socialized behavioural processes are
being made available to the general public. Their main
purpose is designed to provide specific prevention
and intervention techniques that address the
underlying cause of one's Anger (natural emotion)
which morphs into Aggression (violence/behaviour) if
left unchecked.

As a facilitator who addresses Anger and the
foundation of one's Anger contributing to Aggression, it is essential to have realistic solutions
to realistic challenges facing our nation. This path is designed to help change the mindset that
leads one to utilise violence as a means to an end. Through careful instruction, we get to the
“root” of one's Anger and give the participants the tools to recognize their anger and utilise
behavioural interventions to replace these deviant behaviours. So why would this be of
significance to I.C.A.R.?

The members of I.C.A.R. are stakeholders in the socialized process of Barbados and are either
directly or indirectly impacted by the scourge of violence that we have witnessed during the
first three months of 2019. Members of I.C.A.R., their families, whether biological or
extended, friends and loved ones are being affected by this violent epidemic that we are
witnessing at this current time.

I have a theory that says: “If you discuss it, it is important to you!!!” With that reality firm in
hand, we as members of an organisation have entered into dialogue whether on a familial,
communal, parish or a national level about the recent spate of violence. These dialogues were
given center stage recently as I.C.A.R. was given an invitation to attend a recent National
Consultation Dealing with the Upsurge in Crime (held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center) in
March 2019. This invitation by Government officials was premised upon the recognition that
I.C.A.R., based upon its many works, can and will offer viable solutions to the ills that we face
as a nation.

The importance of this cannot be understated as for far too long the Rastafari community has
sat in the shadows and “reasoned” amongst itself about social issues. I.C.A.R. has also taken up
a role on the National Social Justice Committee, which is tasked with addressing key social
issues that stakeholders have identified. I.C.A.R. is proactive in our approach, for we recognise
that we are playing a major part in the social revitalisation construct of this nation through

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Education, Organisation and Deliberation. Rastafari have worked hard for the opportunities
now presenting themselves. We are aware that we must deliver and deliver with conviction,
principled agitation and purposeful direction.

Our ancestors have paved the way and we stand on their shoulders of sacrifice. Let's get the
work done!

This article was written by I.C.A.R. member Glenroy Babb, an Anger Management/Life
Skills/Self-Development/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Facilitator. He has developed a
curriculum titled the Benevolent Anger Management Project. a.k.a. “Good Anger Building”.
This curriculum is currently being taught at H.M.P. Dodds, The Substance Abuse Foundation,
Verdun House, and also during one-on-one and group counselling sessions he conducts.

DARK DAZE,,,

This happened to me and maybe it happened to you.
I suddenly felt so sad, alone and blue.
I felt disconnected, distraught and distressed.
I couldn't tell anyone, didn't need an eye witness to my mess.
I was sure this wasn't just in my head, I felt it in my chest
It was stronger than me, this invisible thing.
For years we've been having a fling.
It turned out the light and kept me in the dark.
Took away my strength, made me an easy mark.
It's not dramatic, it was rather gradual.
I never saw it coming, it's not visual.
In the beginning it stole worthy possessions like humor and appetite.
Then without notice my days were as dark as night.
This thing moved in, taking over without an invite.
Constantly reminding me of all I've endured, loss, pain and sorrow.
Convincing me I'd be better off if there were no tomorrow.
How weak I must have been to accept that as solution..

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An escape from a worthless, powerless life, finally a solution..
As I prayed for absolution for my intended transgression.
It occurred to me that I can pray for a life free of depression.
I could ask for strength to overcome life trials and tribulations..
This had to be a spiritual intervention.
I felt grateful to be a part of this divine creation.
Here, because of an Almighty determination.
With happiness my sole intention..

By Sis Sophie

RASTAFARI AT HOME AND ABROAD

Greetings in the name of H.I.M. Haile Selassie 1st

and Empress Menen I.

This year 2019 will be an eventful year in the
Rastafari calendar of gatherings/meetings at home,
regionally and internationally.

#At home, Sis Asheba has been appointed to the
board of the National Conservation Commission.

#Ras Iral has been invited to sit on the Oversight

Committee for Medical Marijuana.

#Ras Steve has just returned from Geneva where he attended a gathering of the United
Nations permanent forum for people of African Descent. ICAR is a part of that group.

#Ras Adonijah has been appointed as a member of the Social Justice Committee.

#Regionally, we have been informed by the coordinator of the Rastafari Studies Unit at U.W.I.,
Mona Campus, Jahlani Niaah, of their triennial gathering and conference during the month of
August in Jamaica. The details of this event will be shared with us in the coming weeks.

#Additionally, the Caribbean Rastafari Organisation (CRO) has stated its intention to meet in
Grenada sometime in September for a Rastafari family gathering and convention. It will be the

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first time that CRO is meeting in Grenada and will focus on strengthening the local
organisation while forming positive links with our brethren and sistren in the Spice Isle.

#On May 25, the UNESCO Slave Route Committee, in partnership with the Nyabinghi
Theocracy Orde, presents Pan-African Dialogue in the Square, in Independence Square,
Basseterre, St Kitts. The event, which features Mutabaruka and any other artistes, runs from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

# A significant recent development in our Caribbean region is the report that the St.Kitts/Nevis
High Court has now ruled that Rastafari have the right to smoke in privacy as part of their
religion’. The ruling was also that all citizens of the state are allowed to smoke cannabis in the
privacy of their homes. This would suggest that in addition to our regional governments’ great
interest in the area of ‘medical marijuana’, they are softening their approach concerning the
sacramental use by Rastafari of the ‘hola herb’. Of course, I and I in Barbados are still waiting
to see how the issue of recreational use of the herb is tackled, with the promise of a
referendum to chart the way forward in this respect.

#Two other events that are of interest to our community are due to take place on the
continent of Africa in May and November. During May 22nd to 25th, the Rastafari Continental
Council will convene their 2nd annual conference in Ghana while in November the All African
Rastafari Gathering will be held in South Africa to coincide with the usual celebrations
associated with the Coronation of H.I.M. on November 2nd.

#Briefly, we can state that the focal points that will be discussed at the May gathering include
Rastafari governance, preservation of Rastafari way of life, inter-African trade as well as trade
with the diaspora and maintaining advocacy re rights of Rastafari among others.

#It should be noted that the inaugural RCC conference was held in Cape Town, South Africa, in
May 2018.

#Finally, for all who are making the journey to this much-anticipated conference in Ghana and
overall return to our Motherland, I and I from ICAR-Barbados wish everyone Jah Rastafari
Guidance and Protection along the way. SELAH.

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