Keznamdi embarrassed to call himself Jamaican

Reggae singer Keznamdi says he feels a great sense of shame owning up to his nationality following what he describes as the unfair treatment of Rastas.

Speaking with THE STAR recently, the Natty Dreadlock singer said that after recent incidents involving dreadlocked women, he believes Jamaicans have lost touch with their African roots.

"Jamaica lost, memba mi tell yuh dat. I am disgusted at some of the things we have allowed to happen to our black brothers and sisters as a country. I am very embarrassed at present to call myself Jamaican. Mi nuh even wah tell people say mi a Jamaican anymore that is how me feel about Jamaica," he said. "Mi lose hope inna us. Our people are brainwashed by the colonial rule and mi nah talk bout the every day people inna Jamaica, mi love dem people deh. Mi a talk bout the people dem weh have the chance fi make a change and nah do nothing."

Using the recent incident involving 19-year-old Princess Nzinga King, who was allegedly trimmed while in lock-up, to drive home his point, Keznamdi says Jamaica continues to treat Rastas like second-class citizens.

"Anybody who really thinks that we've been independent for 50-odd years is really living an illusion because we are not thinking for ourselves. In schools dem still a say getting dreadlocks is inappropriate but when you cream your hair, it is natural. Creaming your hair should be inappropriate not locks. And it's the same in the professional world," he said. "I really hoped that these behaviours were something of the past but systematically it is clear that certain changes still need to be made. For all the contributions Rasta has made, people still do not accept and respect us."

Keznamdi said the biggest impact made by Rastas has come through reggae music, and expressed disappointment that more artistes are not speaking out against the recent incidents.

"Mi very disappointed at this point inna mi colleagues dem because the whole reggae fraternity was made and built on the revolutionary moves that Rastas used to get locked up for. Now, all of us as artistes and influencers make a lot of money from the foundation of Rastafari but only few will stand up in this fight," he shared. "All the artistes who benefit from reggae music need to stand up and stand with us and really help to put a stop to this because the Government won't. We need them to raise awareness on their platforms. We need them to use their voices and unite in this fight. We counting on dem to stand up for us now."

"Rastas are indigenous people, a national treasure of Jamaica that needs to be preserved, not just protected but preserved," he continued.