Blog # 14: Rastafarian Extremists

I find that the video about a rastafarian community in Jamaica fits the ideas that I got from reading the book. The book discusses how the rastafarians wish to distance themselves from basically any organized society, especially politics and law. It would make sense that they would live in a small, isolated community, where they would be less likely to be disturbed. However, I didn't get the sense from the book of just how far they were willing to go to dedicate their lives to God. To deny themselves luxuries like electricity and running water shows that they truly believe, and are willing to sacrifice. It's not just for fun, but it also reveals the extremity of their religion.

Also, the rastas in this video may be a little more dedicated than the typical image of rastas that we are exposed to. They seem more focused on the Bible and Ethiopia, and less on the problems with Babylon, or local government or education. They clearly have a goal, and, based on the fact that they get up at three in the morning to worship, are very dedicated, and possibly obsessed with achieving it. Past the point of excentricity, and almost to the point of insanity, from my view.

All in all, I found the video very interesting, and I feel that it provided a new look at the rastafarian community, one that can't be gotten from just listening to Marley, and more poignant than only reading the text. It also shows how extremist their views are, which is discussed in the book, but not quite as clear as signs showing black over white, as righteousness over evil.