Blessed Love,
InI as Rastafari ussually dont involve much in politics or politricks how we call it.
We have had many problems dealing with politicians over a long course of time, from the beginning of Rastafari up till now. There seem to be more acceptence and recocnition in these days, but for InI Rastafari it is difficult to be a part of something (an organization) that has been so much against of what we trying to achieve and strive for, which is rightiousness and good, honest living, sharing good vibes, and such...that we prefer to stay out of politricks and just do InI own thing without being influenced by the rules, regulations and political games that accompany such an endevor.
Ras Sam Brown
Ras Sam Brown was an exception, Ras Sam Brown (16 December 1925 – August 1998) was a Jamaican Rastafari elder who was well known in Kingston for his politics after he participated in the elections of 1961 with his Suffering People's Party. He received fewer than 100 votes. However, by being the first Rasta to ever stand for politics, his influence has been greater than this statistic suggests. At the time there was a generalised feeling in the Rastafarian movement that Rastas do not vote. He had a 21-point plan. Some of his ideas were:
Leonard E. Barrett includes an interview with Brown in his 1977 book The Rastafarians whom he describes as "one of the most complex personalities within the Rastafarian movement". Barrett also provides extracts from Brown's election campaign literature. Barrett refers to Brown's political party as the Black Man's Party rather than The Suffering People' Party, though he also quotes the party's position that all were free to join regardless of colour. Also included in his book is a photograph captioned "rare photograph of a Rastafarian political party symbol", depicting a group of Rastafarians (one of whom may be Brown) standing by a placard advertising Brown's campaign.
In 1996, Brown became a roots reggae singer and poet with an album called History, Past and Present. He passed while attending an international trade fair in Barbados in 1998.
There have been some attemps from different Rastafari groups and individuals to deal with politicians involving different cases, like Prince Emmanuel writing the leage of nations, in different letters, adressing recocnition, repatriation and reparation. There are also such things as land grants and protective heritage sites that have been reasoned about with political entities. Other then this there havent been many attempts from Rastafari to particpate in politics, Except maybe the Rastafari bredren from New Zeeland who we see in the videos above.