Rasta and Resistance: From Marcus Garvey to Walter Rodney

by Horace Campbell, Eusi Kwayana (Preface)

Rasta and Resistance is a study of the Rastafarian movement in all it's manifestations, from its evolution in the hills of Jamaica to its present manisfestations in the streets of Birmingham and Shashamane Settlement in Ethiopia. It traces the cultural, political and spiritual sources of this movement of resistance, hightlighting the quest for change among an oppressed people. This book serves to break the intellectual traditions which placed the stamp of millenarianism on Rasta.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Race, Politics, Music, Theory

250 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1987

Reviews

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful for this! While very sympathetic to the general Rastafarian movement, Campbell doesn't hold back on criticism. Involvement in the Ganja Trade, sexism, and support for reactionary movements in Africa all come under heavy fire. I learned a little bit about a lot of Caribbean movements and history, and I feel I have a better understanding for why Selassie -- and also why not. I am excited to read more about "Ethiopianism," the New Jewel Movement, and the history of Africans and West Indians in the UK, and of course, the complete works of Walter Rodney.

I borrowed this from the FB Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie Freihand Karibik 284 https://ubdata.univie.ac.at/AC01601452
This copy is so used and abused, it's a crying shame. It looks like some 20-something anthropologist dragged it through the bush in the Land of Look Behind. Get thee to a bindery!

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely worthwhile look at the Rastafarian movement in the Caribbean from a socio-political perspective. Horace Campbell is in many ways an intellectual heir to work of Walter Rodney.

[Carlos Llosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Campbell does a concise study of the rastafari and reggae -- the music of the rastafari. It´s very interesting to see the panafrican context in which the rastafaris emerged, and how it was shaped by key moments-like the Ethiopian Revolution and the DEA intervention in Jamaica. This book is nice if one tries to understand Reggae songs, as they could be politically charged and thus deserve to be listened thoroughly-- not a thing we tend to do in our consummerist societies.
This book also teaches the left that the Rastafaris were not some passive cultural force -- they were at the vanguard of the revolution; whether it´s the internationalism and antifascism in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Granada Revolution or the 1981 Brixton riots.

[Patrick Miller]

very good book to read about the struggle of live in jamaica.
Rasta resistance is a powerful books its a must read.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proper book, couldn’t put it down. Details the origins of Rastafari as a revolutionary and antifascist movement against imperialism in Jamaica and Africa, born out of the enslavement and oppression of African people. Also explains how the FBI attempted to deradicalise the movement by pushing strict religious versions of Rasta ideology, and is honest about the impact of this in developing apolitical, passive elements to Rasta thinking.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a readable, accessible book about the history of the Caribbean and Africa. Reading it, reminded me anew, of the connection between the Rastafarians and the Mau Mau -- not to mention so many other similar threads. What makes it stand out to me is that Mr. Campbell tells the story from the People's perspective rather than the perspective of Capital. A great overview.

[Okan Ergul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campbell Rasta'yı merkeze almakla birlikte, sömürge döneminden ve 1930'lardan bugüne Jamaika ağırlıklı olmak üzere Karayipler'de siyahi hakları akımı üzerine detaylı bir çalışma yapmış. Sol bir bakış açısıyla siyahi politikası üzerine detaylı ve güzel bir inceleme. Fikir veriyor ve ufuk açıyor. Rasta'ya ise hem bilgilendirici, hem de umut edici bir bakışı var...

[Nhlamulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative learned alot 😌

[Odd Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of the impact of left politics on Jamaica

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am interested in reggae music. I decided to delve a little deeper to learn about the Rastafari movement. I am happy I did. Of course, it is easy to debunk the movement, imo. This is one of the books I read in my study.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever feel like a dread in a Babylon?

[Jacob Shirima]

PANAFRICANISM

[Yusuph Msukwa]

Landscape