Buju Banton Slams High Court Decision To Bar Seven-Year-Old From School Because Of Dreadlocks

Buju Banton and several Dancehall and Reggae artistes continue to strongly oppose the decision made by the Jamaican Supreme Court on Friday, July 31, that the Kensington Primary School’s decision to bar the seven-year-old daughter of reggae music producer Dale Virgo, from attending the institution with dreadlocks, was not unconstitutional.

Bounty Killer, Kabaka Pyramid, Vybz Kartel, Spragga Benz, Ce’Cile, Skatta Burrell, Tanya Stephens, Agent Sasco, and Konshens were also among the entertainers who voiced their opposition to the ruling over the weekend.

Banton has also expressed his disappointment with the decision and took to Instagram on August 3 to share his views in a video clip. Buju has been an influential member of the movement and is respected by many as one of those who helped bring awareness to what Rastafarianism is.

The controversy over the young girl’s hairstyle began in 2018 after it was reported that she was accepted to the St. Catherine-based school, but later her parents were informed that her locks would have to be cut. The decision by the Supreme Court has caused outrage in many sectors of society in Jamaica, where Rastafarianism has become more accepted over the years. The movement which started in the 1930s faced decades of discrimination before its influence spread across the Caribbean region and the world thanks to reggae.

Buju wasted no time addressing the issue which he perceives as a threat to the Rastafarians.

“Once again Rastafari is under threat. We have come a far way now to the point where even the herb legal and everybody ah make a money off ah it but they still ah hamper our education and our children’s ability to be educated in new schools,” he said.

The Wanna Be Loved singer added that he sees the decision as discrimination because he believes the same sacrifice would not have been asked of a Jew or a Muslim, or any other religion. He added that since rastas were being denied the opportunities to form their own education system it was unfair to ask them to cut off their locks to seek education.

“We refuse to be what you wanted us to be you know. We can’t be that anymore because our eyes are open every day.”

He called on the Rastafarian movement to “wake up” and see the level of discrimination that they have to face on a daily basis.

One of the first commenters on the post to express their support was Foota Hype who said: “Yehmon unu talk up mon and put some venom inna unu voice mon the lion fi a roar.”

Many other fans shared Buju’s sentiments like this one who said: “What the hell does locks have to do with education!!!!!!! So “they “ are trying to say that people with lock can’t learn. This is just plain stupid,” and this one who added: “Agree with you Buju. It’s is religious discrimination.”

As an indicator that many people may be incensed by the decision, the post was viewed over 88, 000 times in less than 24 hours and over 1900 people commented on the issue showing their support for Buju’s stance.

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