Your Imperial Highness
In response to The Crown Council’s official statement on Hurricane Melissa on October 30, I write to you on an urgent matter. I hereby suggest that Your Highness open a transparent bank account with the title THE HAILE SELASSIE REGGAE DOLLAR FUND.
This simple move will effectively organise and centralise global RASTAFARIAN and PAN AFRICAN sentiments into one united dynamic for the purpose of assisting not only victims of Melissa, but also victims of future natural disasters everywhere..
Yours faithfully
Jimmy Andersen
Socio-Economic Strategist
To all of the above, the message is one an the same. I ask that each one considers the plausibility of a centralised flow of financial resources as a foundation and framework for the fulfilmment and facilitation of the socio-economic and humanitarian objectives expressed in reggae lyrics expressed throughout the years.
I have taken the time to write to The President of the Crown Council Of Ethiopia, The Prime Minister of Jamaica,the Minister of Finance and Minister of Culture. The letters present the particular aspects of this initiative that fall under the specific jurisdiction of the mentioned offices.
From the beginning, reggae is a music and industry established by self made, self determined individuals. The fierce independence that forged its way through mud, dust, heat, cold, snow, rain, poverty, prejudice, sabotage, persecution racism ,discrimination, ,betrayal, deception, poverty and hatred has become a global force to be reckoned with. It has built bridges that have inspired hearts, souls ,minds and spirits to seek that which their innermost being desires for themselves and for others.
The response to Hurricane Melissa has brought to the fore two things that all governments around the world must take into consideration. The will and ability of the people and artists to deliver solutions and the media capabilities of independent journalism.
Necessity is the mother of invention and if administrations do not step up to the expectations oand needs of the people, they should realise that many are capable of organising. delivering and taking over. Things are just a step away from Social Media becoming Socio-Economic Strategy Media. All of us can make that a reality and significantly impact the response to the next hurricane.
It is of course a given, that media clout is desireable and an important basis for career survival. Therefore that is a legitimate dynamic under all circumstances. However, it must be recognised that a common aggregate reggae clout, could lead to a platform for sustained revenue and consistent charity.
In My letter to The Minister of Culture I ask her,given her achievement of getting Reggae inscribed on the UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY, to play a role in assisting people on the ground establish THE HAILE SELASSIE REGGAE DOLLAR FUND headquarters in TRENCHTOWN, the birthplace of Reggae.
The Reggae Dollar itself is a fundraising tool which I developed in 2006 as a means of raising money for an 18000km walk from Cape Town to Cairo. All the socio economic strategy toos that I developed in the 20 years dedicated to this project, are for the purpose of mobilising marginalised populations to take control of existing financial dynamics. All the platforms created feed into the Reggae Dollar and are represented by the Reggae Dollar. The Reggae Dollar is so to speak the currency of philanthropy, empathy and unity.
In the spring of 2020, I presented the idea of the Reggae Dollar as a permanet fundraising tool, on hold to respond to any natural disaster anywhere, to Paul Lawrence founder of Jus Tickets in London. Paul immeiately understood its significance and hosted it on his platform. Unfortunately Paul died on the 11th of December that year and no one has carried on his great body of work for the UK Black Community. Paul was originally from Spanish Town Jamaica and was responsible for initiatives such as 100 Black Men-a mentoring program by established Black role models fto young black males, who constitute disproportionate negative statistics in the UK.
Most people connected to Reggae are conscious souls on divine missions. The Most High is our guide and I pray that the spirit of The Most High will guide all who read this letter to support the establishment of a Reggae Dollar HQ in Trenchtown, complete with Articles of Association represent the will of the people.
Blessed Love. For these few words I give thanks. RASTAFARI.
YOUR EXCELLENCY HONOURABLE ANDREW HOLNESS
I pray that this letter finds you in the best of health and with best of intentions and plans for the Jamaican people. Since the age of 18 when I moved from Denmark to London, Jamaicans have played very important roles in my life. It is therefore an honour and privilege to address the chosen leader of this magnificent people.
In response to what has transpired through public debates concerning Hurricane Melissa and the commendable actions of all who have made efforts to assist the people of Jamaica, it is my personal evaluation that Jamaica stands at a crossroads that resonates globally.
Your country can play a significant role in charting the trajectory for the advancement of economically marginalised people in general. This is nothing new, and the inclusion of REGGAE MUSIC on the UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY is testament to just one of Jamaica’s positive impact on our time
As a Rastafarian and Reggae enthusiast, I urge the governemnet of Jamaica to establish the most conducive platforms for facilitating global reggae response to natural disasters in general. In reggae, the people of the world find solace, guidance, inspiration and hope. This calls for a structured framework that will transform global goodwill into universally accepted standards of philanthropy.
The recent public debate in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, is the first time, that I witnessed a cross section of Jamaican opinions on an urgent and existential issue with unprecedented intensity.For me it has been a learning experience, and the impact has shaped this communication.
Jamaica is a country of strong opinions As an outsider with love for your country, I am able to accomodate them all and contemplate their validity To a socio-economic strategis like myselft, a dynamic is a dynamic and is never subject to bias or prejudice. Therefore I beg you, Prime Minister to consider my humble suggestions. Silver and Gold have I none, but the wisdom of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie is more than enough to steer us all in the right direction.
To that effect this letter to Your Excellency is one of three letters. The two others, to your Miniter of Finanace and your Minister of Culture follow below. in the hope of establishing a manageable comprehensive front for universal participation.
My deepest concern is the plight of marginalised populations everywhere on Gods Earth. Africa in particular. As Your Excellency certainly knows, the African Union declared the African diaspora to be the sixth region of Africa. This letter is therefor part of my follow up to NEPAD’s exhortation to people of Africa in chapter 4 of its 2001 manifesto. This letter is one, in a concerted appeal for all to fathom equations of Economics and how all can play a role in leveraging dynamics for the common good. It is high time that the world makes advances in this respect and Jamaica stands poised to lead the way.
I have taken the liberty of addressing Your Minister of Culture and your Minister of Finance. I hope that my status as a reggae enthusiast justifies this breach of protocol and I pray that I have caused no offence. If that is the case, pleae accept my apolgy and my assurance that my intentions are sincerely prompted by the dire realities facing humanity.
For these few words I give thanks
JAH RASTAFARI.
Honorable Faysal Williams
As an advocate for the empowerment of women, I am pleased to address this letter to You.
Gender does matter and gender makes a difference. It is up to us all to make sure the difference is positive. However, inclusion of women,, should not be mistaken for a true understanding of the female paradigm. which should be recognised in its own right and utilised as a foundation for policy.
This letter is not about that process but I could not resist a good opportunity to shed some light on Cool Mum Records steady progress. It is my hope that your honour will in the future contribute to our many socio-economic platforms. In particular, NEXT STOP ZANZIBAR is an initiative with the objective of developing a global constitution for women by women.
The underpinning for that constitution and this letter is one and the same . I briefly allude to it in my letter to your Prime Minister, however I did not mention it by name. It is called Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility in short CCSR.
The combination of Land Value Taxation and the intensification of velocity of exchange through deliberate public participation is the essence of CCSRy. CCSR has the ability to bring resolution where any economy is faced with adversity, constraints and even conflict.
CCSR is my innovation based on fundamental contributions made by various people through history. Going as far back as Adam Smith and John Locke the idea of social contract plays a role in fiscal policy. At the core of social contract is access to land and the wealth thereof.
Jamaica is no stranger to Land Value Taxation and is on a list of the few countries that have represented its principles. Several independent communities in the United States still practice it.There it is known as the Single Tax. The people who advocate it are known as Georgists after Henry George who popularised it. Nobel Peace Prize winner, economist Joseph Stiglitz, is a Georgist
Other countries that have to a certain extent implemnetd LVT are South Africa and Denmark. In Denmark it was utilised by Viking King Svend Forkbeard. In the Bible it is represented in Leviticus 25 and Psalm 24. In South Africa during apartheid it covered up to 90 % of Western Cape revenue compensating for Income Tax and VAT.
In Denmark,,a 40 year democratic debate preceded the adoption of LVT when three political parties that advocated it . formed a coalition government in 1957. This resulted in 4 years that delivered an economic miracle.
Besides LVT, The Quantity Theory of Money Supply provides the framework for CCSR.. LVT increases the money available for the consumer, thereby stimulating spending , investment and growth-This is where platforms for public participation can be created for ,by and with the people.
CCSR will expand the country's tax base and increase foreign investment interest. A concerted combination of engineering, harmonisation, and, extrapolation opens up new activities..Transposing of dynamics opens up new avenues and industries. Most importantly though, is the consolidation of social contract when Corporate Social Responsibility is defined by collaboratios between the government, corporations and interest groups (platforms for public participation). .
CCSR allows the people to play a fiscal role beyond consumption.It saves the government a lot of "parenting" expenses in time, money and skills. It gives a country like Jamaica the privilege of economic self determination, and rewards them beyond remuneration for labour
.Above al,l for Jamaica, the long term benefit of this dynamic is a steady decrease in crime and thereby govt spending on fighting crime.
For these few words I give thanks
Honourable Olivia Grange
Dear Babsy
I have long been wanting to write to you. I
am so impressed by your work and the amazing strategic move you made by getting Reggae Music inscribed in the UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF INANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY. Today in the shadow of Hurricane Melissa it is finally possible to demonstrate the significance of it all.
Although Reggae sales do not amount to the roughly 17.Billion Dollars of the entire global music industry, the potential to do so is real and therefore I choose to work with that figure t when assessing anything reggae. If an artist makes 1 Million they should be aware that its only a drop in the ocean compared to what they could make, and should therefore not rest on their laurel leaf.
Reggae on the UNESCO list strengthens the plausibility exponentia added valuel. This information should give enough incentive to all artsist, fans and everything in between, to come to the table and get on the same page. UNESCO is part of the UNITED NATIONS, an organisation largely inspired by HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE. Therefore I feel that given, the history of collaboration between yourself and His Excellency the president of the Ethiopian Crown Council, Prince Ermias Sahle Sellasie, a common kitty overseen by Rastafari and Reggae Elders, with headquarters in Trenchtown be established.
Once again thank you for all that you.
JAH RASRAFARI
