Paying for the Rasta stereotype

THE EDITOR: I notice with great concern that the population is in a furore over the Rasta girl being denied access to a school because of the style of her hair. The reason for the style could be many but there is something that I see that I think those who are calling for the girl to be reinstalled in the school should understand. This child is paying for the years and years of stereotype that   Rastas themselves have honed by their actions and presentation. It is not her fault that she is being targetted. Her foreparents have solidified a culture that is not pleasing to some, and therefore, the accepting of this image could well indicate that the institution in question is allowing ‘undesirables’ in their fold.

Let me state that I am by no means saying that the good Sister is correct but I can sympathise with her and indeed see her point of view. If we look at it, we would see that the general outlook of Rastas is that of a people who smoke weed, chant all day and do not indulge in anything productive except shouting Jah!  Again this, as evidenced by the successes of other Rastas to positions of greatness could be a misleading notion. However there is little to suggest that this attitude and outlook will change One can liken it to the stress the Muslims are now facing because of the interaction between the USA and Al Qaeda. Muslims (both innocent and partisan) are targetted for more vigorous searches when travelling, longer stares and more harassment because of the image that they are terrorists.

Most Muslims are not at fault but then again who am I to say the one who is allowed to go unchecked is not the one who will reinforce the ‘ideals’ that are not desirable. Those in authority have been placed in a catch 22 situation where they will be dammed if they do and dammed if they don’t. The Sister is in a position to make a decision as to wether the child should conform to the school’s image. I believe that the child has a choice. There are equally good schools that will allow her an education as she is. Added to the fact that the school is a private school, the decision is hers. She should be left to make it until Rastas have convinced the society on the whole that they are not what they let the world believe

RYAN   MARTINEZ
Gasparillo