children. On the other hand, Reggae music is a popular genre which rangesfrom spiritual to degrading lyrics, further accompanied by explicit sexualdances. Ras Tafari reject these expressions as the representative music of ourdivine faith. We recognize that Ras Tafari musicians have used reggae to spreadthe culture, however we object to cultural institutions and academicians whoseword and actions today become part of the history books tomorrow that usuallydo not represent our voices.Further, we do not appreciate the promotion of RasTafari synoymous with reggae and thereby reducing and our painful struggle andjourney to a mere minstrel show or festival. Neither the approximately 20 minutes per day of Nyahbinghi chants, nor the 3presentations on Pan Africanism nor the reggae films; represent nor address ourhistory, culture or music, much less our concerns and priorities as Ras Tafariin Ethiopia. Reggae music has had spiritual, social and cultural impact worldwide. However, it is one thing to be inspired by a song and another tostereotype an entire People based on popular cultural musical expression. It isinsensitive and misleading. We object to the disregard of the Ras Tafaricommunity, who made this event possible by their participation, promotion andmere presence, yet are not mentioned along with other valuable sponsors onpromotional materials. Is our input of no value hence not worth mentioning orworst can only be mentioned for marketing purposes as in the title? Or are weexpected to express silent gratitude for being a benefactor of the organizersgood intentions - which include 300 birr for transportation, a hot meal eachday, and a chance to appear on TV? Is this truly a goodwill gesture based onappreciation and understanding of our culture or is this an attempt to useculture to re-define and re-focus a serious spiritual Movement with a strongPan African vision filled with African pride and fighting for repatriation andreparations from colonial powers for Africa's development? We object to Dr. Bonaccis desire to create a bridge between Ethiopian and RasTafari through this event. Qadamawi Haile Selassie I said, We are all bloodbrothers.... This evidenced by His invitation for us to return home and giftingthe landgrant in Shashamane exclusively to Black people of the West for theirshow of solidarity to end Italian occupation and aggression against Ethiopiadecades ago. We have lived, loved, worked and even laid ones to permanent restin this land for over 50 years. We have intermarried and now have a generationof children who share Ras Tafari and Ethiopia parents. The Ethiopian governmenthas treated us with due respect and though Ethiopians may not fully understandus and our reason for being here, they express love, courtesy and respect forus the Black people returning to our Motherland, our inheritance, the land ofour Fathers. We also object to what appears to be an attempt to undermine RasTafari: The Majesty & The Movement Exhibition being planned since 2010 andadvertised at Bonaccis book launch in 2011. People are now confused and thinkour major exhibit being planned and supported by Ethiopian Ministry of Cultureand Tourism, Addis Ababa University Institute of Ethiopian Studies and theNational Museum of Ethiopia Gallery - scheduled to open on May 25th, 2014, isyour festival.