Dear Editor    
  I am writing regarding an article that was published in  Stabroek News  dated November 29th, 2006 and captioned 'Prison rules enable cutting of inmates hair'

  I aptly captioned this letter after Alexander Pope’s poem to hint to the fact things which society might dismiss as being trivial can give rise to ‘Mighty contests’. And that if the losing of one lock by Miss Belle Fermont could have caused the estrangement of two families that had lived in friendship all their lives, the arbitrary shaving of the entire head of individuals who value their hair, not as a piece of clothing or costume, but as a natural part of their body, can have more far-reaching social consequences.    

  Those who are familiar with Ras Simeon reneging on the African Community in relation to its participation at the Culture Fest organized by the ERC, would only hope that Ras Simeon and the Guyana Rastafari Council have learnt their lesson. That lesson is the importance of collective action.

  In the Rastafari community, you can hear the smallest and youngest Rastafarian repeating the familiar epithet ‘collective security for surety’. It is amazing that this principle failed to inform Ras Simeon’s decision vis-à-vis the African community’s boycott of the culture fest.

  The Swift abandonment by the ERC of the issue of cutting of prisoners locks  and the apparent disinterest of John Public are clear indications that Ras Simeon and the Rastafari community is left alone in the cold.  It also testifies to the dilettantish manner with which the ERC deals with matter of great importance.  

  This should never be in a country that is in the process of fostering social cohesion and multi-culturalism. In any such society, the concerns of any ethnic, cultural or other group should be the entire country’s concern. The concerns of the Amerindian community regarding TIP and land rights should be the entire country’s concern. The same goes for the African community claims of being marginalized and the Indian community claim of being the victims of racial violence. But things are not so in Guyana where every one is left to paddle his own canoe. 

  The ERC has found that the practice of cutting the locks of Rastafarian prisoners is not discriminatory. The Rastafari community has found the very opposite and do hope that other segments of our society share our views.  

  The fact that the cutting of hair policy is only in relation to male prisoners constitutes gender discrimination. And while this issue can said to be outside the mandate of the ERC, the ERC can, however, in the interest of social harmony and by virtue of Provision 11 of Article 212D of the Constitution of Guyana, recommend to the relevant authorities that if exceptions can be made on account of gender, then exceptions can also be made on account of religion and culture.  

  The ERC has also found that the act is not a breach of fundamental rights. Come on! What right, apart from the right to life, food, and shelter, can be more fundamental than a man’s ability to control the growth of his own cranio-facial hair?  

  The ERC went on to agree with the hair cutting policy seeing it as, according to the prison rules, ‘necessary for good appearance and the maintenance of health and cleanliness'. Let me deal with those three issues brought out there respectively. In a multi-cultural society which culture is given the privilege of defining and deciding on what constitutes ‘good appearance’? In our society it is the European/colonial culture. Would the ERC care to explain if this constitutes ethnic and cultural equality? In relation to the issue of health, all normal healthy adult male produce both cranial and facial hair throughout their adult lives. How ironic it is then to have to shave off the hair to maintain health when good health is what produce the hair in the first place. Secondly, if the presence of long hair poses a health risk, why are females allowed to have long hair? Are they immune from such health risk or do the prison cares more for the health of males? Now on the issue of cleanliness, are both the ERC and the prison authorities telling us that the presence of hair on the head and face is equated with uncleanliness? Well then I think the Chairman's portrait of Jesus is one with bald head and clean shaven beard.

  It would also help to know how many of the Commissioners on the ERC board grow beard and hair as a religious and cultural requirement or out of natural conviction. If the answer is none, then how can they with sincerity appreciate the importance of the hair to Rastafarians or any other individuals that who grow their hair for whatever reason.  

  In closing, it is important that Ras Simeon and by extension the entire society of male hair advocates recognize that we are living in a society that disdains the presence of hair on the face of males and believes that male cranio-facial hair manifestation is a matter of de minimus import, and that any fight to be able to grow locks in prison must be fought within the broad framework of seeking to destroy the hegemony  that the European/colonial values have in our society (Courts, schools, workplaces, etc) and to foster ethnic and cultural equality. And this is a task that would require the inputs and participation of other segments of society. Collective security for surety.

Ras Ashkar

The following article is written in support of Louisa Holder’s letter published in your paper on 23rd October, 2006 and in protest against some of the retrogressive Attitudes of Leaders here in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

Let me begin by saying, the way Caribbean leaders treat their people presents a strange paradox. The paradox becomes even more strange when we see Caribbean people's reaction, or lack thereof, to treatment by their leaders. It is hard to come to grips with the fact that a people that has endured the rigors and agony of slavery and indentureship could have the capacity to treat others in any way inimical to the enjoyment of their basic freedom and rights; it is even more difficult to come to grips with the complacent attitude of the victims of these mal-treatment and flagrant human rights abuses. This attitude defies logic; it militates against accepted and expected modes of thinking and acting. One would expect, logically so, that a victim of rape show pity and sympathy to other such victims or a person who have lost a loved one in any tragic circumstances show compassion towards others who are suffering the same fate. Social psychologist describe this attitude as empathy.

Caribbean people have emerged out of the worst system of oppression, exploitation and subjugation known to man. The methodical cruelty meted out against Caribbean people, particularly Africans, is unparalleled in the history of mankind, though there are those who are trying to amplify the atrocities meted out to six million Jews above the suffering of over 100 million Africans and its crippling ripple effects to hundreds of million more. (I am prepared to prove that the Jews were not wholly innocent victims).

Those who were the perpetrators of these cruelties are now living is some of the most liberal societies as some of the staunchest advocates of human rights. Conversely, the victims of these atrocities and unprecedented human rights abuses are now living in countries that are still grappling with the issues of human rights.

Let us take the marijuana issue as a starting point. The penalty for the possession of anything above 15 grams of marijuana is no less than draconian. How do one explain having to serve three years in prison among murderers, rapists and other hardened criminals for the possession and personal use of a plant that is scientifically proven to be less harmful (if harmful at all) and far more helpful to both humans and the environment than cigarettes and alcohol. There are many instances of persons going to jail for marijuana and coming out far from being rehabilitated, as hardened criminals. (This is a classic example of penalties against the use of marijuana being more harmful to the individual than the use of marijuana itself.) While many rationales can be used to explain this transformation, one of the chief reasons for this behavior stems from a sense of being dealt with unfairly on the part of the victim.

Caribbean Leaders and Lawmakers should now reappraise their stance on the marijuana issue and seriously study its ramification. Many European countries have done this and the result is far more laxity in the administering of penalties.

Let's look at some examples. In Austria, possession of marijuana is a criminal offence resulting in a fine or up to 3 months in prison. Compare their three months with our three years. In Belgium, possession for personal use was decriminalized in early 2002. In Sweden, Norway and Finland possession is a criminal offence resulting in a fine or up to 6 months in prison. In Denmark possession is a criminal offence but not punishable unless linked to other crimes. In Spain, Portugal and Luxemburg, possession is not a criminal offence and is punishable only by fines and treatment referrals. In France, possession is a criminal offence but only 10% leads to prosecution. First time offenders can be held for 48 hours and are cautioned and warned, while repeat offenders can be jailed for up to 1year. In Germany, possession is a criminal offence but small amounts for personal use not usually prosecuted. In Italy, possession is not a criminal offence. Anyone caught gets a verbal warning. Repeat offenders interviewed by social workers and in extreme cases have their driver's license or passport confiscated. Then there is, of course, the 'cannabis-shop' policy as in the Netherlands, Holland where there are around 900 ganja cafe, and elsewhere.

The 'cannabis shop approach is a boon to tourism. Caribbean countries, such as Guyana, which are struggling to boost the tourism industry, can consider adopting this approach. (If casino gambling can work, this approach can more than work)

The above list is by no means exhausted and was enumerated to give Guyanese Nationals a glimpse of the semi-civil manner (real civility would entail outright legalization) by which European leaders treat their nationals. We should now ask ourselves this pertinent question 'Aren't we worthy of the same or even better treatment by our leaders?'

In the Caribbean, Rastafarians are left alone to fight the battle against the marijuana law, although the benefits that could be accrued from marijuana being legal can in no way limit itself to Rastafarians. Although Rastafarians can be credited with waging a single-handed and formidable battle against the marijuana law, our ineffectiveness is underscored by our failure to go beyond the mental and spiritual benefits of the herb and to highlight the human rights implications along with the medicinal and industrial benefits. It is futile to fight a materialistic enemy with mere religio-spiritual appeals.

Let's look at what two American presidents have to say on the marijuana issue vis-à-vis human rights. In a letter to Congress, Jimmy Carter stated, "I support legislation amending federal law to eliminate all federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one once of marijuana." The he went on to state that the penalty against the use of marijuana should not be more damaging than the use of the substance itself. This in his words 'is a human rights abuse'. President Abraham Lincoln in support of the use of marijuana stated "Prohibition...goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes...A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which this government was founded." (The principles referred to by Abraham Lincoln are those outlined in the Declaration of Independence, the first two draft of which were written on paper made from hemp (marijuana) plant)

The movement for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana took on a unique expression in the Caribbean through the emergence of Rastafari. So, one can safely conclude that the marijuana movement in the Caribbean which is by and large synonymous with the movement of Rastafari is a purely Caribbean thing. It was not imported from Europe or North America, not even from Asia or Africa. This, however, cannot said to be the same with the gay-rights movements which, from all indications, will earn the right to practice homosexuality and lesbianism long before marijuana users earn for themselves and others the right to use marijuana without the least obstruction and harassment by 'Babylon'. This will happen, believe you me, in spite of the fact that there are far more marijuana users in Guyana and the Caribbean than there are homos and lesbos. That's because we have a lot of spineless, weak-knee, drawing-board politicians in Guyana that rather to be spoon fed by Europe, America and the World Bank than to take their destiny in their own hands. As a consequence, we are left with a situation in which "he who pays the piper calls the tune". It is as if the teachings of Walter Rodney and LFS Burnham on self-reliance and self-determination become a tabula rasa in our local history.

In the medical field, marijuana is known as a panacea. Written records shows its use in the pharmacopoeia of Shen Nung, one of the fathers of Chinese medicine, around 2700 B.C. The Persian prophet, Zoroaster, placed marijuana at the very top of his list of 10,000 medicinal plants in his sacred text, the Zend Avesta. In 800 A.D. the Islamic Prophet Mohammed, while forbidding the use of alcohol in the Koran, permitted the use of cannabis. The fact that the healing wonders of this herb that Rastafarians refer to as 'the healing of the nations' have not been buried under the sands of time is illustrated by the following BBC report of 2001.

“ There is scientific evidence to suggest that cannabis may be useful in treating a wide range of conditions. For instance, cannabis appears to be able to help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatment given to cancer patients…Cannabis is an antiemetic, a drug that relieves nausea and allows patients to eat and live normally. Extracts also seem to benefit patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, stopping muscle spasms, and reducing tremors… There is evidence that cannabis may stimulate the appetites of AIDFS patients. It may also help relieve the pain of menstrual cramps (Queen Elizabeth can testify) and child birth. Campaigners claim the [herb] is useful in treating depression and other mood disorders. Cannabis has been shown to prevent seizures in epileptic patients when given in combination with prescription drugs. The [herb] can also help in the treatment of patients suffering from glaucoma, a common cause of blindness, by reducing the fluid pressure in the eye. Claims have also been made for its use in treating asthma, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism and insomnia.”

With the revelation of the above, Guyanese people are now forced to ask themselves 'isn't the denial of a people of one of the most natural way to heal a multiple of ailments, one of the most flagrant and colossal violation of basic human rights?"

As if the denial of a people of the means to heal themselves both physically and mentally is not enough, the marijuana law also denies us the means by which we can feed, clothe and house ourselves by outlawing the industrial use of hemp. Industrial hemp is very low in THC, the ingredient that causes highness. The THC level in industrial marijuana is so low that no one can get high from smoking it. This particular kind of marijuana is ideal for industrial uses and it renders the raison detre behind the illegalization of marijuana as baseless. The following quote from 'Rasta Heart' by Robert Roskind is informative in this area. (pg. 129)

“Of the over three million edible plants, hemp seed has the highest nutritious vegetable oil known, complete and high in protein. It can help feed the planet with a crop that grows anywhere without the use of fertilizer and chemicals. If its use as a fabric was encouraged, it could replace cotton, the growing of which accounts for almost 50% of agricultural chemicals that are polluting our planet. Hemp provides four times as much pulp with at least four to seven times less pollution than paper made from trees. By switching back to hemp paper(used to make the American dollar at a certain time), we could save our forests and greatly reduce global warming and other problems created by deforestation. Research shows that 10 to 20 percent of all pharmaceutical prescription medicines could be eliminated by using ganja, potentially saving hundreds of billions of dollars annually and decreasing the amount of poisons we take into our bodies through these ‘better’ medicines. Add to this the amount of over-the-counter medicines that could be reduced and ganja’s benefit mounts even higher. Cannabis hemp is the only annually renewable plant able to replace fossil fuels and thereby reduce their unhealthy and dangerous effects. It is the only resource that can make every country energy-independent. It is the planet’s number one biomass resource, capable of producing ten tons per acre in four months. This can then be used for everything from fuel for vehicles and heating to making plastics… Finally, ganja makes hard physical work much easier, lessening the burden of the toiling masses while offering them relaxation without alcohol induced hangover.”

Then there is also the issue of the cutting of locks. (Re: Prison rules enable cutting of inmates hair, Stabroek News, Wednesday, November 29th 2006) I wouldn’t say much about the locks issue in this letter (I will definitely deal with it in another letter) other than that the reason given in the article for the cutting of locks is a gross, I mean gross, disrespect to Rastafarians. I would indeed like to know how Ras Simeon and the Guyana Rastafari Council will respond to this utter nonsense. 

Ras Ashkar