A most recent editorial of the Sunday Observer urged me to pay close attention to a few recent issues regarding race, rape and politics.

It was the neglect of "race matters" that produced very serious responses by "black heretics and black prophets": Paul Bogle, "cleave to the colour" and the 1865 Uprising; Alexander Bedward and his combative "black prophetic spiritual movement"; Marcus Garvey and the UNIA, LP Watson and his Native Defender Committee (anti-foreigner movement), and Leonard P Howell and the early Rastafari Movement, providing a new moral alternative.

I was moved by the passion with which the editorial in the Sunday Observer (August 19, 2007) treated the "outburst" of Peter Fakhourie against his political opponent, Ms Lisa Hanna. The editor writes, "For a country that has been battling the evils of domestic violence can ill afford to set vulgar public examples." This sensitivity brought to the fore a moment of enlightenment. With this shining moment I reread the article, "Jah Cure released early, said greeted by scores of Rasta brethren" (Sunday Observer, July 29, 2007), it took on newer meaning. I read the article days ago and placed it on my desk in bewilderment. However, the moment of enlightenment asked me, who speaks for the black woman who was raped? Who comforts the black family? How could such celebration take place, but more important take place without "notice"? We the people, the black people of this country should understand very well the matter of rape of our black women by the white males, the slave masters constituting this history. Where is Jah love in all of this celebration? Where is the love for black woman and child?

I am not the police nor the court, but a man of conscience, a black man. I am extremely concerned about the state of black consciousness and black solidarity in this country. Was the crowd meeting Jah Cure comprised of human rights advocates fighting for his innocence? A people ignorant of its history will repeat errors of the past - such is the manifestation of the issue of rape. We speak with deep resentment of the rape of our black women by white men in the past. It is with even greater resentment that we should look at rape when committed by black on black, just like black on black violence. Rastafari is not "a joke ting". The idea of Rastafari, as put forward by the incomparable Leonard P Howell, emerged to provide a moral alternative to the ex-slave world view. In his court trial, Howell made note of the thinking that only the truth shall set man free. Only the truth will set Jah Cure free, "a so Rastafari seh". We must reach out to both people: a black woman was raped; she was raped by a black man. The media, the church, the human rights groups and the youth organisations turned a blind eye to this disorder - the celebration.

My concern regarding who speaks for the poor, lower-class black majority of this country deepens when I survey the forces that have pooled their millions to back the forces that they think will serve them "better" in the coming election. Better mus' come, but for whom? It was a similar scene to 1962, a victory for the white elites in this country. Only black people in this country have struggled for freedom, equal rights and justice. All these were elusive the moment our national flag ascended and the Union Jack descended. Who speaks for the black majority in Jamaica? Who speaks for the powerful elites?

In our history, only the incomparable Michael Manley had the "moral conscience" and the boldness to deal with race matters without any apology. People of my generation have a fresh memory of 1968 regarding the government and race matters in Jamaica. No apologies have been made! Today, both political parties are faced with Mr Robinson's request, and believe me, he is not alone in that sort of thinking. The question is posed for both political parties, it appears that none (of the parties) seem to have read his article. The "freedom fest", the issues regarding "race matters" and this discussion are taking place in the month of the birthday of Marcus Garvey. May his spirit continue to provide guidance: "Up (ye) mighty race, you can accomplish what you will."
Much is expected of the Rastafari movement, but I am sure that this Jah Cure issue and the "fiery exhibition" at the St Mary Mi Come From concert have left many confused about the modern interpretations of Rastafari. The crowd that gathered to welcome Jah Cure was commendable in terms of solidarity but questionable in terms of morality.