I came across this article a couple of years ago explaining the arrogance of white "rastas". It was written by a white woman, but before reading it I could never put my finger on exactly what made me detest white (and basically non-African) rastas (and you can throw "wiggas" in there).

It really is an insightful read. I wonder if she's read James Baldwin as there is a similarity on their views of white acknowledgement of white privilege.


ROOTSIE.COM - White Rastas and Unconscious Racism
White Rastas and Unconscious Racism
By Rootsie
June 19, 2004

"My views are certainly not about hating anyone, or trying to advocate that people should not make their own judgement on how they form relationships." - Ras Ayinde

The following comments from Ras Adam amount to an excellent example of the unconscious arrogance born of white privilege. While he chooses to believe that attempting to unite with blacks under the banner of Rasta somehow constitutes fighting racism, Adam operates without fail under assumptions born of his privilege. It is just not possible for whites to do anything about racism unless they are willing to be merciless in examining their own conduct. But the very fact of privilege makes self-reflection and self-criticism difficult to do. White supremacy dictates race as a non-issue for whites, and the overriding issue for every black....... ROOTSIE.COM - White Rastas and Unconscious Racism

Some info. on this "Ras Adam" character she refers to:

Meet Ras Adam



Ras Adam web site http://web.syr.edu/~affellem/raslinx.html is one of the most comprehensive collections of H.I.M. Haile Selassie and Rastafarian link on the web. His photo and memorabilia links might the largest in the world.


Here is a link to a very engaging discussion on the motives of white/non-African rastas
Re: Rasta waste of time talk

How about one that's Jewish(nothing against Jewish people personally), was a former geek, started practicing djing, taking African dance classes, and hosts reggae parties, and also caught jungle fever during his transformation and hits on every black female he sees. Uses his venue connections and money to host shows with big name artists, and gain popularity yet feels he's doing it to promote 'reggae culture'......lol. These guys are all over the place, and there are gullible black people, blind to their arrogance, who embrace them.

lol. i know what you mean.
You know what though I love Matisyahu (I know you're not talking about him but he's the first patois-rappin jew that came to mind). But the man's as hacidic as they get (at least from outward appearance) and to my knowledge has never claimed rasta although it's clear he has a great affinity, maybe even respect (though many may disagree) for rasta ideologies and jamaican/west indian culture and music.
I don't mean people who love cultures other than their own and are engrossed in African and subcultures as long as they stay true to themselves and do no expect to be praised for said appreciation for these cultures just because they read up on the "subject", adopt the vernacular and clothing, fight for the "cause" etc etc. and get upset if people from that culture don't take you seriously; acting like something is wrong with THEM that they don't take you is as their own.

I don't like white-bashing as my father is white (and there's enough that goes on here) but white people are the main culprits for (as mentioned in the article) jumping into someone else's cultural space and immediately taking over with the arrogance of schooling THEM on why their culture should include them.


It's one thing to admire a culture and adopt certain aspects of that culture to your own life, but to claim entitlement to (at least on the same level as the people out of which that culture was originally created) rubs me the wrong way.