I expect all kinds of responses, however, I posted this in several places on the internet and it will be interesting to view the differences in how the topic is handled.

I noticed this week, two television shows that were basically satires on white Rastas. Saturday Night Live and last night, of all things, Wife Swap. I don't normally watch Wife Swap as the whole idea gives me the creeps, however, as I was about ready to turn it off, this white guy with dreadlocks starts shouting RASTAFAR-I and I knew I had to see what it was about.

The guy turns out to be the very thing that most Rastas of all color and creeds dislike. He had no job other than going out to a few clubs at night to play music- but was usually unpaid or very low pay, slept all day, had four children under the age of seven, home schooled his kids but wasn't really serious about having his children learn how to read, spell or write, expected his wife to be 'the responsible one' caring for the children while he did whatever he wanted and when asked how he was going to care for his kids, the answer over and over was "JAH will provide." Every other word was RASTAFAR-I drawn out like peanut butter on warm toast. My mind immediately compared this whole scene with someone who uses a culture or religion to remain irresponsible, promote masogyny, and in some cases (not this one) allows them to do unlawful things (such as some of the accusations against the fanatical side of the Mormon church-having sex with underage girls.) Of course, this was not that extreme but it did demonstrate the typical immaturity that clings to a 'religious or cultural belief that is 'borrowed' in order to promote a person's (mostly male's) egotism and selfishness.

My very close friend who is a devoted Rastawoman, white and lives in Kingston, didn't see the show but happened to call right after and I asked her- "when you see white Rastas like this who seem to do nothing but smoke herb all day, hang out playing music as their one an donly job, leave the wife and kids at home to do most of the hard work and who can't speak a sentence without shouting "RASTAFARI".. does it make it hard for people to take you seriously as a true Rastawoman. And, of course the answer was YES.

She and I are both disappointed that this extreme behavior which has continued to evolve and grow over the years has become so mainstream that a reality show and a satire on SNL have captured it for all to see, giving Rasta, and especially white people who are Ras and don't act this way, a very bad image. Most of the Ras I have come to know of all colors and creeds do not stand around yelling RASTAFARI every five minutes like it is the period at the end of a sentence. They are humble, quiet, and mostly keep their spiritual beliefs within.

I have to admit the SNL satire was somewhat humorous. I watched it mainly because my friend's husband was one of the Caribbean Ras shown sitting on the sidewalk watching the white RAS skate by chanting and yelling RASTAFARI!

I said to Ricky- I have never seen a Rasta (someone who truly lives the faith) act like these white dreads. Even from the perspective of male dominance most Rastamen truly respect and treat their queens well. T

I tried to picture Mutabaruka on a skate board shouting RASTAFARI and leaving his four tiny children home while he did nothing to make a living. No way, altho, there are some Rasta musicians who do. However, for the sake of this topic, I am thinking less of musicians and more of the Rasta farmer and fisherman. I also feel sad that the true roots and origins of RASTA get lost in this misadventure. No wonder there are black Rasta who are so hostile towards white Rasta. AND YET, there are so many very devoted white Rasta who support and promote the beauty and nature of Rasta.

Did anyone else see these shows and what did you think? I am not going to promote an argument here so I hope everyone can keep it cool and just respond with a constructive point of view no matter what it is.