BLAKE-HANNAH... I hope I will be around

I am often asked what about a Rasta political party. Why don't Rastas get involved in politics?

The second question can be answered first: Most Rastafarians do not consider the inherited Westminster model of government a workable format with which to organise Jamaican social and economic life. To enter a system which has created divisiveness and which exists in perpetuation of this divisiveness is anathema to a movement that preaches "One Love".

Yet, Rasta culture at this time is synonymous with Jamaica, and so deeply ingrained and accepted that the Rasta colours of red, gold, green and black have been chosen to decorate the celebrations of Jamaica's 40th year of Independence. "Bald heads" smoke ganja openly, and dreadlocks are the latest fashion hairstyle for women and men. Jamaica's "national song" used to lure tourists to Jamaica. Is Bob Marley's anthem exemplifying the Rastafari philosophical creed: "One Love"? Small wonder that first-time visitors to Jamaica are surprised to see no Rastas in national positions of power, influence or general income generation, not even in the tourism industry.

If the time is ripe for a "Rasta party", how might this be assembled? If it were in my power, I would go about it this way. I would select 14 candidates from among Rastafari Jamaicans who have achieved wide social and professional respect over and above the fact that they are Rastafari. One Rasta candidate would be offered for election in one constituency in each parish, while an additional two candidates would be offered in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St James and St Ann.

The 20 Rasta candidates would constitute a Shadow Cabinet that, if elected, would speak on behalf of the Cabinet needs of the entire island, not just the constituency to which elected. This Rasta Cabinet would offer in its election manifesto proposals for governing the entire island. Some proposals I would include:

* Jamaica to seek membership of the African Union as a part of the African diaspora. This would open up business opportunities, preferential market access and waiver of certain taxes and tarrifs, to provide favourable access for Jamaican goods and services to this continent of vast human and natural resources.

* An immediate stop to all non-emergency national construction projects, with funding to be diverted to an emergency programme to demolish and rebuild all sub-standard buildings in the inner-city ghettos of Kingston below Heroes Circle and North Street, and from East Kingston to Tivoli Gardens.

* A parallel programme of adult and computer literacy for all residents of those communities who will be displaced during construction.

Re-occupancy of the new buildings for former residents will be conditional on presentation of graduation certificates from a course of educational upgrading.

* Creation of TV dramas and programming which can change negative social and sexual behaviours evident in the society, which lead to anger, violence, "bad mind" and "tear down". Concurrent reduction of negative foreign cultural influences via film and TV.

* Use of Information Technology training for community development and small business self-help entrepreneurship, especially in inner-city communities.

* Mandatory AIDS testing as a prerequisite for acquiring tax compliance, marriage and driver's licence, etc.

Even if the 20 Rastafari candidates are elected, this will not give them enough numbers to form the government as one of the two established parties will have already gained a larger majority, while the other may well have gained fewer seats than the Rasta candidates. However, if at least half of the Rasta candidates are elected to Parliament, they will use this independent presence to press for a new constitution with major changes, including the creation of a presidential government.

The new constitution would also reduce the 60 constituencies into 14 parish governments headed by parish councillors who will replace MPs and serve as efficient business managers of their portion of the parish. A budget will be allocated from Central Government for each parish, and monthly accounts presented publicly.

Here is my selection of Rasta candidates and their shadow ministries:

Dr Nsombe Jaja, business management consultant: transport and public utilities;

Dr Kerida McDonald, education;

Dr Leachim Semaj, psychologist: industry and commerce;

Albert "Franno" Francis, businessman, sports administrator: sport;

Sandra Joy Alcott, attorney-at-law: human rights and justice;

Mutabaruka, poet and broadcaster: information and culture;

Raymond Forrest, Gleaner financial journalist: finance;

Dr Clinton Hutton, professor of sociology, UWI: community development;

Stephen Marley, musical artiste, businessman: youth;

Dr Freddie Hickling, professor of medicine: health;

Bro Sam Clayton, cultural historian: housing;

Neville Garrick, Marley Foundation art director: tourism.

Barbara Blake Hannah, communications consultant: foreign affairs;

Sister Pauline Petinard, events organiser: Portland;

Ras Ikula Topping, international reggae artiste/promoter: St Ann;

Ras Astor Black, educator, Trelawny;

Ika Tafari, bookstore proprietor, St James;

Ras Ibo Cooper, musicologist: Kingston and St Andrew;

Ras Buju Banton, entertainer. Kingston & St Andrew.

Who would finance such a Rasta party? Good question. Despite three decades of reggae fortunes, there is still no Rasta foundation or financial unity which has stepped forward to fund any other needs of the Rastafari community, such as schools, medical institutions or media outlets to capitalise on the use of Rasta reggae products. So I have no immediate answer. But since a Rasta party will have to appeal to, and work on behalf of all Jamaicans, not just outwardly visible and culturally identified Rastas, maybe such funding exists in the wider community waiting to be harnessed.

This idea is just some food for thought. I have absolutely no power to implement it, but it was fun thinking about a possible scenario. One day Rastafari may lead this nation, and it may be sooner or later. I hope I will be around to see the day.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World