I CALLING RAS BRIAN WALTERS
By: Pablo Naptali

Greetings Rastafari children, over the years I n I have all had grief to deal with, and when we encounter these situations, our families and friends rally to our support. Love and kind words counteract the pain and despair within the hearts of those afflicted by loss or illness. When facing the fragility of our humanity, hope and faith assists us in healing and enables us to continue.

H.I.M. HAILE SELASSIE has taught us, that “with faith, hope, and a just cause, even in the 21st century David will still defeat Goliath”, and as I n I have witnessed His tribulations through out history, there is no doubt that he has conquered all fear. These valuable lessons are guidelines for us to follow. It has been over a year now that we have lost our brethren Ras Brian, and it is with joy that I man recall his livity. My reason for writing this message is not through grief, but rather through raspect. You see, in the week before his journey I sat with him and made some notes at his request,(written on brown paper napkins), but I man wasn’t able to put it forward to the brethrens and sisters previously; however I give thanks for the opportunity to do so at this time.

Ras Brian said that he grew up in Jones town, Kingston Jamaica, an active youth in sports and a lover of music; after he finished school, Brian started to learn trade, such as mechanics and auto body work. One day while fishing on the docks of Kingston harbor, he assisted a Captain in docking his tug boat; it seems that the dock worker was missing at the time. He quickly became friends with the Captain and his crew, (for we all know Ras Brian’s smile and friendly ways). He soon after began to work on the tug boat, rescuing ships and vessels that were broken down or crippled at sea. The Ras being a fast learner was promoted from apprentice to become an able body seaman, after that finding work on a barge. While working and traveling on the barge, Brian visited most of the Caribbean Islands and parts of South America, and even lived in Venezuela for almost two years. At this part of his telling I man paused and asked him if by chance a lady was involved in his decision to stay there. Ras Brian bus out a laugh (which caused him some pain, for he was quite weak) and said, “Pablo I man did love me time in Venezuela, put it that way.” The Ras went on to tell I that he spoke and understood a little Spanish, we then had a brief exchange in this language, and his command of it far surpassed my limited ability, ….we laughed some more.

I man then inquired of him about his sighting of Rastafari, and he was quiet for a moment his brow knitting in deep thought, when he spoke his voice suddenly got stronger…and said, “Selassie I call I from school days and I use to go around Sam Brown, Mortimo Planna and the elder brother man dem from those time, and I man never leave him from then.” At that moment one of the Rasta sisters that were vigilantly staying at his side during his hospitalization, answered a phone and brought it to him, Ras Spanky was on the line, and once again him perk up and sit upright in the bed and shout out, “RASTAFARI!….RASTAFARI!….RASTAFARI!” I man stepped out of the room at that point to give the brethren some privacy and went for a walk, the vibes penetrate the whole hospital wing. A little later when I returned I asked the Ras if he desired to rest a while, “Naw man come in.” Brian smiled and continued to talk; he told me that he had two children that he knew of (his words). He also mentioned his first trip to America, on a barge that broke down for two month in Cleveland Ohio, he migrated to Canada in1990.

I man met Ras Brian in 1998 at a Rastafari event and I’ve always loved his behavior, his humility was exceptional, and he had a polite manner about him. A member of the Black Inmates and Friends, charitable organization, he always encouraged others to assist incarcerated black people. Ras Brian attended most Rastafari occasions throughout the city and was well known amongst the family as a man weh love to dance. He even left the hospital one night, with Reuben 1st (Ben Hur), to surprise I n I at a gathering. I man give thanks for the giving, an me glad fe share this with de I dem. Don’t feel no way, this is a ilebration of the life of Ras Brian Walters. For these few words I give thanks…Pablo Naptali.