- Winston SillLuciano, right, delivers a song by inspiration titled 'Where is the Love...' as author Robert Roskind looks on.
Anthea McGibbon, Religion Feature Co-ordinator
AT A recent press conference at the Bob Marley Museum, Bob Marley was promoted as a "21st century wise man... describing the essence of Rastafari in a holistic way".
The press conference was held to launch the book Rasta Heart: A Journey Into One Love, written by organiser Robert Roskind, author from the United States.
A former hippie, Mr. Roskind has written 10 books including In the Spirit of Business and In the Spirit of Marriage. He has founded 'Do It Yourself Inc.' which produced the award-winning, record-breaking television series, the 'Do It Yourself Show' which aired in the U.S. on PBS, USA Network and The Learning Channel. He is also founder of Y2K Solutions Group Inc.
In October 2000, Mr. Roskind and his family first visited Jamaica and were impressed by the "kindness, dignity and calm of the Rastafarians" they met in Ocho Rios. More inspiring were the words of Bob Marley, who for the author is as clear and as divinely-sent a teacher of love and in the league as other world-renowned leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu and others. As a result, the book was written to, "highlight the wisdom of the Rastas, Bob Marley and Jamaica." The launch was aimed at identifying whether "humanity (Jamaica) is evolved to a point where Jamaica can heal itself with love".
The conference, "Gathering of the Healers, Healing a Nation" was an effort to start an islandwide campaign "One Love, Make It Happen" in Jamaica. For the occasion (God-chosen) healers, according to Mr. Roskind, were invited to speak.
Referring to First Corinthians 13, Mr. Roskind brought to the fore his interpretation of love and forgiveness. The meaning of Rastafari is love, he said while forgiveness is "not pardoning", rather it, "is understanding that every so-called attack is an appeal for healing, help and love. No matter what form the attack takes." With great fervour Mr. Roskind pointed to Rastafarian culture as a good ideal to healing the nation.
Thomas "Ramscram" Anderson said that the book could be used to "teach heads of Government to deal with the lower class of people in a proper way."
Singer Luciano reiterated the "need to forgive to allow the power of God's love to flow." His focus was on the need of the nation to realise where individually we have done wrongs as he added that there "can be no love without justice". Identifying stubbornness as the main block to forgiveness, he further noted that many Jamaicans "had amnesia."
The book which also comprises photographs, reflects the extensive research by the Roskind family with help from friends such as Mr. Anderson. The team made visits mainly to sections of the island populated by the Maroons.
Dr. Dennis Forsythe, who claimed to have been healed in mind, body and soul (a mental decolonisation) has hailed the book as "riveting... the incredible adventure that reveals the true essence of the Rasta!" At the conference he supported Mr. Roskind with "Life involves a movement to a high level.. to the seventh level of consciousness." That consciousness being "one love."
Politician Mike Henry and lawyer Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas were also present to give support.
As the "One Love, Make It happen" campaign kicks off, another meeting entitled "The Fires of Forgiveness/ The Healing of the Nation" is being slated with islandwide bonfires being planned.
