At the heart of this call for dialogue lies a deep-rooted desire to acknowledge the historical injustices that the Rastafarian community has faced. The COR recognizes the importance of engaging with the government, seeking to establish a constructive platform for discussion and collaboration. By fostering this engagement, the Rastafarian community aims to find common ground and work towards solutions that address their concerns.
The COR's letter also highlights the community's critique of the government's previous responses, which they believe have fallen short in adequately addressing the pressing issues at hand. This call for a more robust and inclusive dialogue reflects the Rastafarian community's determination to play a central role in shaping the policies and decisions that directly impact their lives.
As the Rastafarian community in Bermuda continues to advocate for their rights and seek redress for historical wrongs, the COR's letter to Chris Famous represents a significant step forward. By calling for a collaborative approach, the community hopes to facilitate constructive engagement and pave the way for meaningful progress on the issues of reparations and cannabis legalization.
The Centralized Order of Rastafari (COR) in Bermuda has sent a letter to Chris Famous, a member of the Bermuda Parliament, calling for a dialogue on reparations and cannabis legalization. This letter represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts of the Rastafarian community to address longstanding grievances and advocate for meaningful change.
Acknowledging Historical Injustices
Past Apologies
COR acknowledged the broader movement for reparations and the challenges faced by the Rastafari community, noting recent apologies from some jurisdictions for past injustices against Rastafari practitioners.
Recognition is Key
This acknowledgement is a significant step towards recognizing the historical wrongs and injustices faced by the Rastafari community.
Seeking Engagement with Parliament
1
Parliamentary Dialogue
COR expressed interest in engaging with Chris Famous, particularly in light of his radio show featuring Sir Hilary Beckles, a prominent historian focused on reparations.
2
Birth of Emperor Haile Selassie
The timing of the broadcast coincided with the birth date of Emperor Haile Selassie, which is significant to the Rastafari community.
3
Collaboration
COR urged Famous to facilitate a meeting to explore how the Rastafari community could collaborate with the government on these critical issues.
Critique of Government Response
Cannabis Legislation
The correspondence critiqued the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) for not involving the Rastafari community in discussions about cannabis legislation.
Disappointment Expressed
COR expressed disappointment that a member of the PLP, who identifies as Rastafari, had not advocated for this engagement.
Call for Collaboration
1
Open Dialogue
COR stressed the need for open dialogue to address historical and ongoing struggles for justice and empowerment.
2
Bridging the Gap
The letter underscored a significant trust deficit between the Rastafari community and government officials.
3
Moving Forward
COR emphasized the need for genuine communication to bridge this gap and move beyond mere rhetoric.
Role of the Emperial Group
The Emperial Group plays an instrumental role in moderating this dialogue between grassroots organizations like COR and parliamentary officials. By acting as a facilitator, the Emperial Group ensures that conversations are productive and focused on the greater good. Their involvement includes:
Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue
The Emperial Group organizes forums where grassroots voices can be heard, promoting transparency and mutual respect between community leaders and government representatives.
Empowering Community Voices
They provide resources and platforms that empower organizations like COR to articulate their concerns effectively, ensuring their perspectives inform policy discussions.
Building Trust
By fostering open communication, the Emperial Group works to rebuild trust between the Rastafari community and the government, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to address historical injustices.
The correspondence between COR and Chris Famous highlights the urgent need for dialogue on reparations and cannabis legalization. The Emperial Group's role in moderating this dialogue is vital for ensuring that the Rastafari community's voice is heard and that meaningful partnerships are formed with the government. By facilitating constructive engagement, the Emperial Group aims to promote justice, empowerment, and a collaborative approach to addressing these critical issues.