Rastafari says “no” to inclusion in cadet Corps but Muslims welcome move

By Sheria Brathwaite

Two faith-based organisations have opposing views on the notion of the Barbados Cadet Corps (BCC) being a more inclusive organisation.

While the Muslim community has welcomed the idea to have their young members be a part of the regiment, the Rastafarian community is strongly against it.

On Tuesday during a conference at St Ann’s Fort, Garrison, St Michael, Cadet Commander David Dowridge said the corps was looking to adapt a more inclusive approach and hoped that by September it would be able to attract scores of students aged 11 to 20 from other faiths and organisations.

However, in an interview with Barbados TODAY on Wednesday secretary general of the National Rastafari Secretariat Trust (NRST), Paul Ras Simba Rock, said that while he was “opened to discussions that are focused on the betterment of the people”, he believed the core values and tenets of the corps were oppressive to his religion.

“While I cannot speak for every Rastafari man and woman in our society, I do not think the average Rastafari would enrol their children in the cadet corps. I think Rastafari would prefer a martial arts programme or something in that vein, where their children can get the same moral guidance, strength of character, respect for life, patience and physical and mental exercise that they say is offered in the corps,” he said. “I think the youth of today, influenced by Western popular culture, are seeking release from all the old rules and norms that were inherited from a colonial system. These are the old norms and values the corps upholds and wishes to instil in the youth. 

“Added to this, Rastafari and police have always been at odds in a system that has been, and still is, oppressive to Rastafari. The corps for Rastafari has the same value system and attitude of the police force. In fact, many see it as a precursor to the police force. As a new republic I think we should be more innovative and culturally diverse in problem-solving and unconventional, when seeking solutions to youth violence and what is deemed as ‘bad behaviour’.”

Rock added that the discrimination and unfair treatment Rastas received through pseudo-military and armed forces were documented in history and some children grew up seeing it firsthand. He said this was why there had never been a bonafide Rasta in the Barbados Police Service in living memory.

“Rastafari youth have watched their parents be abused by this society unjustly for decades. Like their parents, Rastafari youth know unapologetically that the police force and such entities are not friends to our community. Further, to join such organisations one could not wear locs historically. I can’t recall seeing any police in locs. Why do you think no Rastafari police exist? You can abuse Rastafari by force but we will not support the very entities that have lorded over our oppression.”

Rock advocated for provision to be made for young people who are known to the police and the courts of law for violence.

Meanwhile, secretary of the Barbados Muslim Association Suleiman Bulbulia said he supported the notion to have Muslims join the ranks as that community had a lot to offer various developmental programmes to help improve society.

“We welcome the initiative to reach out to other  communities to enhance the cadet corps. We have had Muslims in the cadet corps in the past mainly males so it is a good initiative. I would encourage our young people to consider joining the cadet corps.

“I know that there are some challenges for Muslims joining the corps, especially the females in terms of dress, so that is something that would have to be considered to accommodate Muslim females – modifying the uniform,” he said.

Commander Dowridge had earlier identified the uniform as one area open for discussion with the religious groups.

Bulbulia said that armed forces across the world had become more inclusive and this was a modern adaptation that would work well. 

“Other accommodations would have to be considered like prayer time and food. So yes it is a good initiative and we just have to flesh out how it would look for our Muslim members.”

Bulbulia added that Muslim men and women had various skill-sets and they too would want to give of their service to help young people. sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb