Did Babylon trump Rasta?
The visual emergence of Rasta’s in the 1970s in the U.K marked a transition in black British identity... marked in part by its difference to 1st generation immigrants to Britain.
It was a turning point.
In response to social and instituaitional racism, divisive policies, struggles with policing and denials of rights ect, many 2nd generation British 'blacks' begun to carve out a new identity.
Add to that, the global struggles for independence of former colonies, and it was an interesting time historically.
Whilst Rasta’s may have been distinguishable with the wearing of locks etc, many others identified with its basic premise but preferred to remain less visual, nevertheless, it’s arguable that 'Rasta' had one of the biggest impacts in the UK in terms of cultures of resistance, and a new way of being.
In music, those who couldn't handle the more militant stance or teachings of Rastafari may have opted for the softer more apologetic 'lovers rock' but let's face it, without Rasta.. there would have been no U.K lovers rock.
Who can say that Rasta (directly or indirectly) has not impacted on them in some way?..
A high price to pay?
Round 1
Rasta’s were ostracized. They found it difficult to gain employment, and were increasingly marginalized. Whilst we can argue that marginalisation was one of the building blocks to its appeal... the battle was on.
'Babylon' (oppressive immoral government policies, lack of virtue and the promotion of cash greed and the ungodly over a purer existence, individual and plural ... in short... fuckery...) verses Rasta.
Many black youths ‘messed up’ by the education system at the time, ultimately left school without qualifications and found it harder to find work, and those who appeared unwilling to assimilate and accept British ethnocentric ideas, were always to have a hard time.
Yet why didn’t Rasta’s fight back?.
Why are there few Rasta men in offices? or working in banks or business?
Why? Because they were told no, and they accepted it.
The women however did work, humbly becoming the matriarch at home, earning some men the unfavourable image of 'living off their women'.
True or false, that is not good for a man’s self esteem.
Round 2
I'm everywhere.. even your best friend will choose me in the end
Rasta’s saw ‘Babylon’ as the great corrupt monolith that will undoubtedly fall... collapsing into itself in a shameful heap.
Yet, it hasn’t happened yet.
‘Babylon’ may indeed be its own downfall, yet that cannot cloud the fact that Rasta's were knocked out by about the 2nd round... and sadly... very few were in their corner with a towel or water (Even those they supported, or thought they were struggling for)
Rasta could have provided a huge benefit to many employers...
Yet it didn’t happen
Rasta got lost in symbolism, and essentialist notions of what it is to be Rasta took over. Losing itself.. within itself.
One question to ask is did Rasta’s secretly fear Babylon, or honesty detest it.
Yet... I'm reminded that this is not a sprint.
Indeed, ‘Babylon' is
not in great shape, and many ideas adopted by Rasta have been since adopted by many others.. as increasingly people begin to focus on livity
( aspiring to a higher way of being way of life).
Ital food, has been given the lovely bourgeoisie sounding term... ‘organic’.. or ‘healthy eating’ tweak.. More and more people want to grow their own, reggae music sells a few cars, and politicians may or may not chill out with green...it’s all good though.
We learn as we go along.
We may history every day.
Rasta’s biggest mistake may have been to opt out.. either that.. or their smartest move.
We await round 3
