Jah showed Himself to me in a dream. He appeared on a background of galaxies and stars. His long majestic dreds stretched across the universe, embracing the stars, creating and giving life to all. He appeared as a beautiful Black man, the most beautiful human being I'd ever seen. His eyes and mine embraced, and He asked me for my love. How could anyone refuse? My heart sang of Divine Love.
Ancestral spirits were standing nearby, these joined in the song. One of these stayed with me for a good while, kept on singing. He had been a musician during his time on earth. He had some songs he was still working on when he walked on, and some that he’d written from the other side. He gave these to me so that they could be heard. He sang the psalms of David, and songs of struggle and social comment, and songs from the Bible. Eternal songs, no hate or trivia. Songs of love for Jah and His people. I picked up drum and guitar and sang along.
I still sing some of these songs, and other songs too. Always give credit to the creators and ancestors as they are due. Working on putting them up on Soundcloud because I'm 66 now and none of us get to stay around forever. When I play in the park or on the street, people pause to listen and no one has complained. I don't make any money at it — I was always taught that it’s wrong to sell sacred things. If anyone asks why I'm doing this I tell them because I love Jah and His people.
Jah and the ancestors showed me that the human body is sacred, a Temple of Jah Within. The true religion is to honor Jah in all human beings and in all creation. All else is commentary and the customs of man. The hair on one's head is sacred, it crowns the Temple and serves as a sort of spiritual antenna. So hair should remain in its natural state, no cutting or styling or artificial products. What’s more — I knew from very early on that the so-called “American Dream” aka Babylon was pure idolatry — worship of money and status. And locs mean renouncing the Babylon way. So I had locs for a while but my 1B hair never took to it properly. I did not look trendy or edgy or cool; I looked like the outcast that I was. Wound up with a big nasty mat hanging down my back, it made me crazy so it had to go. Now I just run my fingers through my hair to keep it clean and natural.
Jah showed Himself as a Black man because every living human being is a living image of God. The first humans were African so African people are the truest image. All humans yearn for our first home, no matter what kind of bodies we’re in now, that’s why everyone else imitates Africans. This is cultural appropriation, especially if done without accreditation, without respect, without knowledge of the true meanings behind the outward signs. Especially if profit or status is involved.
When one creates beauty for the love of God, this is good. When one creates or imitates for the love of money and fame, that's idolatry and abomination. The heart knows which. Whatever we do, in all we do, is all for the honor and glory of Jah and His people.
