ORGANIZATION of AFRICAN AMERICAN RASTAFARI UNITY
OAARU CHARTER
Pledging unity. . .
Promoting justice. . .
Transcending compromise. . .
We, African American Rastafarians, who originated in Africa and now reside in America, speak out against the slavery and oppression inflicted upon us by this power structure. We offer to African American Rastafarians courses of action that will conquer oppression, relieve suffering and convert meaningless struggle into meaningful action. Confident that our purpose will be achieved, we African American Rastafarians from all walks of life make the following known:
Establishment
Having stated our determination, confidence and resolve, the OAARU is hereby conceived on the 25th day of June, 2001, in the city of New Orleans, La.
Upon this conception, we African American Rastafarians will lauch a revolution which will provide the means for restoring our identity that we might rejoin our brothers and sisters on the African continent, culturally, psychologically, economically and share with them the sweet fruits of FREEDOM from oppression and independence of neo-colonialism.
1. The OAARU welcomes all persons of African origin to come together and dedicate their ideas, skills and lives to FREE our people from oppression.
2. Branches of the OAARU must be established by Rastafarians of African descent wherever they may be and whatever their ideology - as long as they be descendents of Africa and dedicated to our one goal: "FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION".
3. The basic program of the OAARU which is now being presented can and will be modified by the membership, taking into consideration national, regional and local conditions that require flexible treatment.
4. The OAARU encourages active participation of each member since we feel that each and every individual has something to contribute to our FREEDOM. Thus each member will be encouraged to participate in the committee of his or her choice.
5. Overstanding the differences that were created among us, the OAARU strives to ignore or submerge these artificial divisions by focusing our activitities and our loyalties upon our one goal: "FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION".
O.A.A.R.U.
c/o Renard "Ras Iray" Shy
P.O. BOX 2399
EAST ORANGE, NJ 07019-2399
Phone:(973)395-0901
E-mail: irayshy@aol.com
O.A.A.R.U.
c/o Charles "Ras Jabari" Franklin
P.O. Box 1336
Covington, Ga 30016
Phone:(404)272-4101
PREAMBLE
The Organization of African American Rastafari Unity (OAARU), organized and structured by a cross-section of Rastafarians born in the United States of America, has been patterned after the letter and spirit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) established in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia, May 25,1963; and the Organization of Afro American Unity (OAAU) established in Harlem,NY, June 28,1965. We, the members of the Organization of African American Rastafari Unity gathered together in New Orleans, La.
1. Convinced that it is the inalienable right of all people to control their own destiny;
2. Conscious of the fact that FREEDOM, equality, justice and dignity are essential objective for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of Rastafarians of African descent born in the United States of America, we will endeavor to build a bridge of overstanding and create the basis for African American Rastafari unity;
3. Conscious of our responsibility to harness the natural and human resources of our people for their total advancement in all spheres of human endeavor;
4. Inspired by a common determination to promote overstanding among our people and co-operation in all matters pertaining to their survival and advancement, we will support the aspirations of our people for brotherhood, sisterhood and solidarity in a larger unity transcending all organizational differences;
5. Convinced that, in order to translate this determination into a dynamic force in the cause of human progress, conditions of peace and security must be established and maintained;
6. Determined to unify American Rastafarians of African descent in their fight for human rights and dignity, and being fully aware that this is not possible in the present atmosphere and condition of oppression, we livicate ourselves to the building of a political, economic, and social system of justice and peace;
7. Livicated to the unification of all Rastafarians of African descent in the United States of America and to the utilization of that unity to bring into being the organizational structure that will project Africa's contribution to the world;
8. Persuaded that the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights are the principles in which we believe and these documents if put into practice represent the essence of mankind's hopes and good intentions;
9. Desirous that all African American Rastafarians should henceforth unite so that the welfare and well-being of our people will be assured;
10. Resolved to reinforce the common bond of purpose between our people by submerging all our differences and establishing a non-religious and non-sectarian constructive program for human rights.
OAARU Communications / Jan. - Feb. / Mar. - April / May - June 2002
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2002
Greetings in the Most Precious Name of H.I.M. Haile Selassie the First I, JAH RASTAFARI. I pray that this past year, in spite of all the tragedy and tribulation, was an enlightening one for every Rastafari. According to the words of JAH we are definitely living in unprecendented times. However, as long as we remember who we are and where we stand in the struggle, there is no event that can shake or break us. Truly, we are they who trod through great tribulation.
We all know that the millennium celebrated a couple years ago was not the "true" millennium. In other words, Y2K was a farce. All of the preparation -- the stockpiling of food and water, the upgrading of computer programs, etc. -- was only the reaction to a false alarm. Subsequently, the anxiety of many people has fizzled since nothing significant happened upon the arrival of the year 2000. Apart from the controversial presidential election that put Bush in office, the entire year breezed by without one notable incident.
Scripture tells us, "And he (the beast) shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws..." (Dan. 7:25). We are witnessing many within the faith being "worn out" with the passage of time. Disunity -- that evil force causing the disintegration of tabernacles in various cities -- seems to be out of control. Nevertheless, we need not fret at the sight of these things, "for that day shall not come, except there be a falling away first, and 'every' man of sin be revealed, 'every' son of perdition" -2Thess2:3.
That earthshaking event of September 11, 2001, (Meskeram 1, 1994 -- Ethiopian New Year) was the turning point. It is that prophetic signpost from JAH, and that beacon of light for every Rastafari. Remember, the prophet Daniel did say that the beast would think to "change times". Therefore, 9/11 -- Meskeram, has become that marker showing us where we are within the framework of prophecy according to the "true" reckoning of times. Who have eyes to see, let them see.
At this point in time the need for unity is at its greatest, and we must seek out ways to promote this unity -- 'by any means necessary'. Consequently, through the inspiration of JAH, the OAARU has produced a calendar to promote a simple "action of unity" among all sons and daughters of H.I.M. This calendar is an actual countdown to the "Ethiopian Millennium" or "Renaissance" -- Meskeram 1, 2000 (9/11/2007). If we accept the counsel of JAH and allow H.I.M. to "teach us to number our days", then, according to Psalm 1, "whatsoever we do shall prosper". That's right, by simply keeping track of each calendar date, I know we will be able to forge an actual "oneness in conduct". The calendar also gives us a unique opportunity to set goals for ourselves, for unity in conduct encourages unity in action. There is no limit to what we can accomplish if we would "apply our hearts to wisdom". On top of that, I am quite sure that every Rastafari is looking forward to the "Millennium" with fervent anticipation and great expectation. Why shouldn't we?!!! We have every right to anticipate it, for, as King David professed -- "...the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever" (Psalm 9:18).
Using the calendar is quite simple. The small number in the upper left hand corner represents the date of the western calendar, while the larger number in the center represents the Ethiopian Calendar date. The number at the bottom right hand corner of each box reflects the number of days left to the "Ethiopian Millennium". For example: January 1, 2002, would be the same date as 23 Tahsas 1994, with two thousand and seventy-eight (2078) days left to the "Ethiopian Mil
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