Letter to Newspaper

Gambles Terrace

St. John’s

Antigua

3^rd November, 1954

FreeTown

St. Barclays

Jamaica

Beacon Light Publications

Dear Editor,

I write to inform you of the vile attack of a man, known as “Brother Man”, in a small village called Orange Lane in Jamaica. My heart is filled with grief to recount the maliciousness of some of the villagers as they beat this innocent man and jeered at him, screaming wicked and cruel words. I observed as the malicious villagers chanted “Down de ole Ras Tafarite, murderers dem”.

As they ferociously attacked this man, for no apparent reason, I thought to myself, “What man deserves such an injustice?”  In my opinion, Brother Man was kind, helpful, and righteous and treated everyone who came for his help with great care and he definitely did not deserve to be treated in this manner.

However, as I helplessly watched on, my sullen, grieving mood was somewhat lightened, when an old lady from the village threw her body over Brother Man , sacrificially, so as to protect him from the vicious villagers. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of admiration to her, for trying to prevent the brutal attack. However, her efforts were merely disregarded as she too became a victim of the villagers’ brutality.

I write you this letter, with a mournful heart, recounting the ill-treatment of this innocent man , in this little village of Jamaica, based on the villagers’ stereo- typical mindset.

In their view, Ras Tafarianism was a “cult-like” group of bearded men who practiced rituals and traditions which were not norms of society. As a result, Ras Tafarianism or Ras Tafarians were discriminated by outsiders and were not welcomed as a part of society. Therefore, I believe that Brother Man’s attack, was based solely on his beliefs as a Ras Tafarian.

Yours Sincerely

A concerned witness.