The Editor, Sir:

There seems to be great joy among theRastafarian population since Zahra Redwood won the coveted Miss Jamaica Universe title. I understand from the different articles I have read so far that she is an intelligent young woman, meaning that she should be a good ambassador for Jamaica.

The question I would like to have answered is, what is her true faith? What does she really believe? The following quote from Dr. Sonia Stanley-Niaah, lecturer in cultural studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, in the Sunday Observer of April 1, leaves me wondering as to where did I lose my sources of information.

"Rastafari is what put Jamaica on the map. Rastafari is what Jamaica is known for, coupled with reggae music," she said. If this is so, then Jamaica is in a pitiful state of affairs. What is she saying, that Jamaica is all about Rastafari to the outside world? I want to know if anyone honestly believes that Haile Selassie is God?

Ganja as sacrament and Selassie as god is something that is created through much idle chattering.

I am, etc.,

RAY G. STENNETT

ray4rs2000@aol.com

Larchmont, New York

Via Go-Jamaica