Dear Editor,
Now that the Jamaica Labour Party is the Government of the day, they should make some constitutional changes which will allow an independent senator for people like the Rastafarians to have a voice in the Parliament of Jamaica.
If Jamaica is a civilised democracy, the 15 per cent of the populace of Jamaica that is Rastafarian should have a voice in the business of Jamaica.
The Rastafarian movement is older than the two political parties. Because of not having proper leadership, when Duncan Sandys came to Jamaica in the 60s to negotiate our Independence, he didn’t speak with the Rastafarians — and it was not in the interest of the two political leaders to let him meet the Rastas. The rights of Rastafarians were not factored in the constitution and I believe Rastas today will not have a voice without constitutional change.
If I am wrong, please educate the people and Rastas about the reason Sandys came to Jamaica, if was not to meet the people like the Rastas and other minorities.
Rastas are calling on the prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, to look into constitutional change that Jamaica may become a civilised democracy during his term of office. This could be one of his meaningful contributions to a developing Jamaica.
Abuna A Foxe
Brooklyn, NY, USA
himchurchny@yahoo.com
Now that the Jamaica Labour Party is the Government of the day, they should make some constitutional changes which will allow an independent senator for people like the Rastafarians to have a voice in the Parliament of Jamaica.
If Jamaica is a civilised democracy, the 15 per cent of the populace of Jamaica that is Rastafarian should have a voice in the business of Jamaica.
The Rastafarian movement is older than the two political parties. Because of not having proper leadership, when Duncan Sandys came to Jamaica in the 60s to negotiate our Independence, he didn’t speak with the Rastafarians — and it was not in the interest of the two political leaders to let him meet the Rastas. The rights of Rastafarians were not factored in the constitution and I believe Rastas today will not have a voice without constitutional change.
If I am wrong, please educate the people and Rastas about the reason Sandys came to Jamaica, if was not to meet the people like the Rastas and other minorities.
Rastas are calling on the prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, to look into constitutional change that Jamaica may become a civilised democracy during his term of office. This could be one of his meaningful contributions to a developing Jamaica.
Abuna A Foxe
Brooklyn, NY, USA
himchurchny@yahoo.com