Whether someone chooses to vote or not is their choice.
That being said...
If my ultimate goal is to make video games for a living, should I have no other jobs until then?
There's nothing wrong with wanting something. But if you don't put in the work to get it, then what good is all your wanting?
The example of Rastafari is H.I.M. Who was a king, a ruler, a political figure, a well-educated man, someone who had both allies and enemies, who had both domestic and foreign policy, diplomacy, etc.
https://thehaileselassie.com/Haile_Selassie_And_The_United_States/#:~:text=During%20the%201950s%20and%20the,gave%2C%20it%20was%20never%20enough.
This is either true or not true.
If it's true then we should consider that not everything is simple.
According to this, Selassie counted on the United States for assistance and it provided both economic and military assistance. The US trained and equipped Ethiopia's army. The US's support helped rid Ethiopia of the British. The US also aided Ethiopia in annexing Eritrea. Selassie made numerous visits to the US to meet with US presidents.
So we can play the "US is the beast game" but if that's the case then Selassie was working with the beast.
Foreign aid from the US to Ethiopia has decline since 2008 (as it should) but in 2008 it was almost a billion dollars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia%E2%80%93United_States_relations
What's my point? My point is who's example should Rasta follow? The example of those who stay in the hills and never want anything to do with politics, technology, or other nations? Or the example of H.I.M, who I have nothing but respect for, who didn't have the luxury of isolation, and who worked with allies in order to do what was best for Ethiopia?
And he offered African Americans the opportunity to settle in Ethiopia and some actually did go. And some of them played a role in modernizing the country.
The US was one of only five countries, according to Haile Selassie himself, which refused to recognize the Italian attempted conquest.
There was a mutually beneficial relationship there.
This doesn't mean that Haile Selassie trusted Richard Nixon or any of the others at all. That's my point. But he USED them and made deals with them and he participated in the mutual benefit which is what good business is all about.
1934, under British control, Barack Obama Sr. was born in Kenya. And you can see where I'm going with this. His son Barack Obama Jr became president of the United States. This wouldn't have happened if he didn't try, didn't believe it was possible, didn't participate, or if he allow himself to feel defeated.
You can change the world but you need power to do it. Haile Selassie I understood power and the need for it. He had no problems seeking help and alliances in order to leverage the power he needed for his people. So therefore I, bearing the full weight of history, the History of Jamaica and the History of America, having ancestors who were around during the civil rights era, knowing all they did to gain the right to vote, and also seeing everything white supremacy has done and is doing to take that vote away from us as much as possible, even on this forum, I have no problem using the voice they gave me in order to leverage the power I need to benefit my community and my people.
Do I trust the politicians? No. THAT IS WHY I VOTE.
The ones I want out, I vote to replace them.
The ones who represent what I want, I vote to keep them.
Selassie I understood that the US needed him; needed him in the region and needed Kagnew Station. He had something they wanted. They had some things that he wanted. The same thing is true today. And if I'm not willing to work with people they will find someone else to work with. But to control politicians they need to need your vote and they need to believe you're willing to vote for someone else. That is what we can learn from H.I.M, not some kind of isolationist strategy said in his name because he never advocated for such a strategy. That's like people saying "I'm rasta, I mon nuh learn babylon science". Meanwhile, Haile Selassie I is inviting educated African Americans to settle in Eithiopia so they can bring their modern knowledge and skills with them. There is NO GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD that wants refugees they have to take care of and give land to and get nothing in return. They want a trade. They want people who can improve their survival and socio-economic conditions.
And I'm not trying to disrespect anyone. I'm just being real. The land grant by the emperor in 1948 wasn't aimed at repatriation alone. It's more like what Marcus Garvey said. I believe the expectation was never to "take everyone" but to have the option open for immigration to those who could benefit Ethiopia. For everyone who wants to go, what are you bringing to the table?
Many Christians who follow Jesus say his name constantly but don't live anything like him. By the same token many people worship Haile Selassie I, but let's be honest. How many people are actually choosing to live, as much as possible, like he lived?
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