[Nathan Hopkins]

I come from a family with strong Irish roots. Earlier immigrants did face pretty extreme discrimination, the whole ‘no Irish need apply’ thing. So many Irish families immigrated to the States during the Potato Famine in Ireland that they would fill large sections of the cities; they, like many immigrants, usually stuck together, you know. These are huge reasons why they maintained such a strong cultural identity and tie to Ireland, which still exists today.

Now, when my family and I ‘celebrate’ our Irish heritage, we are not trying to distance ourselves from the mainstream, and I don’t think anyone else sees us as different. It is really just an expression of our love for the culture, the music, the faith and the spirit.

User Detail :  

Name : Nathan Hopkins, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 18, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Nathan Hopkins]

It is obvious why many Africans whose ancestors were slaves would associate so closely with the Exodus and it is very probable that there were Africans in the group freed slaves led by Moses. However, I think it is a little misguided to think that the house of Abraham, or the Israelites, refers only to ‘blacks’ as we know them today. To say this would be historicaly, anthropologically, and religously incorrect. Israel was certainly not populated exlusively by people we would call ‘blacks.’ The safest way to characterize the population would be to call them Jews or Hebrews. It is an interesting point to highlight ‘black’ people’s close empathy and physical ties to the Israelites, but it is incorrect to say that only ‘black’ people are Israel. Also, don’t forget that the Jews have had their fare share of bondage and oppression. Rememeber the Inquisitions, the Holocaust, the Babylonian Captivity, the Persian invasions, the Roman invasions, slavery in Egypt, the list goes on and on. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that only ‘blacks’ have been oppressed.

User Detail :  

Name : Nathan Hopkins, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 18, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Nathan Hopkins]

Early in the Rastafarian movement, Leonard Howell gave the religion these principals: hatred for the white race, the complete superiority of the black race, revenge on whites for their wickedness, the negation, persecution, and humiliation of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica, preparation to go back to Africa, and acknowledging Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia as the Supreme Being and only ruler of black people. However, as Dr. E.E. Cashmore observed, ‘The belief system of Ras Tafari was so vague and loosely defined, even at its inception, due to its lack of a single authoritative voice, that what was to be acceptable doctrine was largely matter of individual interpretation.’ Now, Rastafarianism is very secular. Dreadlocks, the colors red, green, yellow, and black, and most other symbols have lost their meaning and simply become a fashion statement. Those who do follow the religion have significantly loosened their doctrines toward whites, women, and Selassie. I totally copped all this from the University of Virginia’s Religous Movements webpage. It is a great site to find answers for almost any religous question. Here is the address: http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/profiles/listalpha.htm

User Detail :  

Name : Nathan Hopkins, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 18, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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