It is certainly regrettable that we find ourselves discussing our brother and elder Priest Phillip Blyden in the past tense. I recently remarked to a colleague in Rastafari community that Priest Blyden has been a contributor or attendee in all the initiatives that our community has undertaken, regardless of whomever is organizing it. The zeal with which our brother approached Pan-Africanism and the development of the Rastafari community is what I believe is the true essence of a Pan-African identity. It was unwavering, consistent, and carried out with a tenacity which had a tendency to inspire others to action. The Rastafari community in the Bahamas has continued to persevere despite numerous impediments which unfortunately still exist today. One of the main features of this perseverance and resilience was and still is Priest Phillip Blyden. As a consistent voice in the arena of social and political critique, Priest was a stabilizing force in our steering committee, holding the post of Chairman since the inception of our organization, as our confidence in his ability and commitment to the community was never something questionable. In my last communication with our brother, despite having health challenges, his main concern was the continuation of our efforts, and inspiring others to give contributions of their time to bring our ideals to fruition. Jah B was a giant in the Bahamas Rastafari community, who is an irreplaceable archive of knowledge, wise anecdotes, historical references, as well as a wealth of valuable experience as an elder. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of bereavement, as Jah Blyden is a patriarch, son, brother, uncle and Father to many of the fatherless. During his time as a teacher, Jah Blyden has also made an indelible impact on the field of art education, preparing many of our nation’s BGCSE students who ultimately have achieved greatness in their results. Jah Blyden was a man of many talents and vocations, and he managed to interweave his community obligations with his educational endeavors, often times promoting his passion for the Akhepran school. He will most certainly be missed by us all, and the time tested knowledge he has imparted to us will never be forgotten or be in vain. A Luta Continua
Ras Jamal
