| Like
so many Jamaicans before him, Ras Howard
Henry tells us how in 1991 he left to
America to "search for the American
dream". A dream that didn't turn out to
be for everyone...
Being a conscious Rastaman, he noticed
that there were other things to do for him
than the ones he initially sought after. And
so, he "shifted his focus to assisting
the poor and downtrodden". One of the
ways in which he does so, is by speaking the
truth. Telling the things the way they are,
from his perspective as a Rastaman. And he
does so, in a very special way.
It's a way that shows what is in his
heart, what is in his eyes. Take a little
time, and you will really feel what he has
to say in a deeper way.
A way, which explains just what it is to
be a Rastaman in the center of Babylon. To
have to see the abominations, the injustice
and inequality.
A way, which some people call
"poetry".
He writes poems straight from the heart,
without forgetting the brain. And this is
where "Doors To Reality" enters.
It's his first collection of poetry, and
comes with illustrations in full color.
It's a well-balanced collection, with
humor and seriousness each having their
place. Thoughtful lines will keep you
meditating as you see deeper layers telling
you even more than what is already on the
surface.
Ras Howard Henry asks, for example, why
there are so many vacancies to fill, and so
many educated black people unable to find a
job. He observes, how a parasitical Babylon
uses all kinds of technology to enslave the
human race and loot Jah creation.
He addresses and exposes Babylon, using a
prophetic language and symbology that
doesn't leave room for too much
interpretation. In the same time, He gives
praises to JAH and shares his reasons to do
so.
Someone once said: "If you do not
know your history, you will not know your
destiny". Ras Howard Henry addresses
this topic too, and asks himself why Babylon
tells him to forget about Marcus Garvey but
still remember Christopher C. He points out
to the racism of ones like the Ku Klux Klan
and the book also contains a photograph that
shows this to the fullness.
"Doors to Reality" therefore is
not merely a book of poetry. In fact, you
can read all about Rastafari too. And
because everything written from the Heart of
a Rastaman, you will learn more about the
Movement than you would ever learn if you
stick to scholarly works.
|