Letters from Rastafarian Ñaño (Hector Riscart) from a Cuban Prison / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Letters from Rastafarian Ñaño (Hector Riscart) from a Cuban Prison /
Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo
Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo, Translator: Maria Montoto

Holy Emmanuel I Selassie I JAH RASTAFARI, Light of This World and
Creator of the Universe, May the Peace be in InI and his holy spirit
illuminate us and protect everyone. Let it be so!

Blessings, my adored family. After the passing of the tense moment, I
ask you, my love: how did you see everything? To me it seemed like
craziness, above all because the policeman who was in the cabaret, a
so-called Ernesto (Martinez Ramirez), simply didn't appear at the trial.

You saw, Ne, this was bad from the start. Look, before leaving the
prison I had several run-ins with the Babilon, because they made me take
off my white shirt. They didn't want me to take the patchouli, incense,
nor the turban I had on so that the judges wouldn't see them. Then I
told them a few things without loosing my temper, all in good judgement,
Ne, any which way I got tense.

When I go down, they handcuff me and put me in the car. They take me to
the chief officials outside, close to where you guys come through when
you come in here. There they took me down and, Ne, waiting there was a
man named Pacheco and a higher-up from the DNA (Dirección Nacional
Anti-Droga, that is, the National Anti-Drug Administration). He said he
was the Chief here in prison. He spoke with me, telling me to be
careful what I said at the trial, that he had learned about me, and
everything was positive, but this has taken on a new path and I was
going to calmly cooperate with his help in prison. That my family had
written, and that what will come to pass will be determined in the Vista
Oral.

Then they put me in the car, and they followed us in their white Lada to
the courthouse. When we arrived, I was placed in a cell. Well, Ne, I
don't know what you think, nor how everything will turn out, not even
what it is we are expecting. Supposedly that justice be served, but
there were subjects that were not even touched upon in the trial, and
many details needing clarification. For a moment I thought they would
end the session in order to continue the next day, since two important
policemen were missing: the one who assaulted me during the arrest
(plate 45717), and none other than the accuser (Ernesto Martinez Ramirez).

But when the judges decided that the absent witnesses were not
necessary, Ne, my heart sank. I believe they have decided on sentencing
without clearing up the facts. But I quickly turn around, my queen, and
I think positive, because we cannot, no matter how unjust they are, be
anticipating, nor putting negative thoughts which, like I told you, my
Ne, that only brings bad things: to the body, mind, and soul. And you
know I wish for the family to remain in perfect harmony and good health.

Ne, tell mom to present a letter at the Prosecutors' explaining well
everything that was missing, and the importance of those two witnesses
who irresponsibly didn't attend trial. The importance of the closed
circuit cameras which are the ones who can say what really happened,
those which we know have been used in some cases to incriminate persons
who have committed crimes. The manipulation of my file from the station
on Picota street: because, Ne, the agent from DNA who declared at the
trial isn't Yoandrys Solón Hidalgo: the one who went there I don't even
know, Ne, I've never even met him, and he wasn't the one listed on the
list of witnesses cited by the Prosecution in the Provisional Conclusions.

You saw what little seriousness there was in his declaration, he didn't
even know the address to my house. Ne, this is too much, I hope the
judges have taken note of everything, or if not the fire of the Highest
is going to burn all of them, because Jahovia surely does not allow tricks.

I, Ne, am a bit anxious, I barely sleep. I awaken at four in the
morning thinking, my queen, when will all this anguish end. I think of
the children who are so beautiful, Ne. You saw how Amani talked to me on
the telephone? And Jahseh, how big he's grown! There I write him a
little letter, for I don't want this situation to estrange us bit by bit
and that communication be lost.

Ne, we can't cease praying, demanding divine justice, my love, and
without fearing what Man can do to us, always increasing our faith that
everything is going to go well, with the help of the ABSOLUTE
ALL-POWERFUL OMNIPRESENT CREATOR.

Ne, don't go through difficulties. If it's necessary, we'll sell the
instruments little by little, but for(the three of you. Don't worry
about me for now. They are giving a bit of potato, and the brethren
here always give me their's, because they know how our (vegetarian) diet
is and so I am surviving.

I would desire some fruits to heal my stomach, which burns a lot. Try
going to 15 and K, to see if they will authorize you to bring them to
prison. And also garlic or scented clove for the molar, which gives me
such pains, and the care of a dentist is bad or, better said: there
isn't any. They fix things with pills and you know InI doesn't take
those. Garlic is a natural antibiotic.

Ne, I also need, if you can, a sheet lighter in color: there are many
mosquitoes and I think the green one attracts them. Aloe vera, paper
clips to organize my papers and pamphlets, a toothbrush. If you can get
pencil or pens, because this one is running out. If you can, some
natural oils: pachouli, jasmine, whichever, Ne, because there is a lot
of stench and humidity.

Also bring your beautiful smile and the boys. Ne, don't feel stifled,
flow: if you can't bring anything, that doesn't matter. Ne, have faith
and patience, nothing of sadness that soon we will be together again, my
adored queen. Take very good care of the boys, I know this is needless
to say. And take a lot of care of yourself. I don't want you to destroy
yourself thinking nor suffering.

Tell mom to come and see me. Greetings to all the brothers who are
close to you, who accompany you, give you support, and help you. Give
them my blessings. Remember the Sabbath, Ne, to rest. Don't allow the
good customs at home to be lost. It is good for the health and you know
it, nothing should change because the law of Jahovia is immutable.

I love you very much, my sweet maiden.

BLESSINGS.

STRENGTH.

RESISTANCE.

I dedicate these lines to Prince JAHSEH MAKONNEN from his dad TINGO FARI.

Jahseh, my son, I hope that in spite of this distance you find yourself
in good health mentally and very fundamentally spiritually. Nene, I am
going through some difficult moments, but at the same time I am very
calm, because I know that all of you back home, desire me to be there,
and that is the energy that soon will take me there.

I don't know how long it will be, son. I can't make any promises to you
in that regard, since it doesn't depend on me, but you have to be
prepared because the time is JAH. I only ask you, my son, as major head
of all the males present in the household, that you take good care of
mom for me, behaving well and taking on all of the responsibilities as
if you were me. You are already big and you can understand things
better. You should help mom a lot, so that she doesn't get worn out,
mainly harmonizing a lot with little Amani, teach him sweetly, guide him
as the youth that he is in everything, and have a lot of tolerance for
his immaturity, remembering that he is innocent, and love him, giving
him a lot of affection, that he not be absent in any work when you refer
to him.

You should always be head of the family and keep watch that peace cover
the home. This you accomplish behaving exemplary in school. You should
be attentive to your studies and also your circus school. Concentrate
your mind on what you must do so that come tomorrow you give happiness
and prosperity. Have your hand always at the ready to cooperate at home
and that the last thing be playing. You will have time to play, but
first you must help your mom in all daily chores. I know this will be
difficult for you, but think of the responsibility your father has given
you, and sacrifice yourself so that good may govern at home and there
won't be sadness.

You can't be a transmitter, yourself, of any energy that leads your mom
to feel bad. Be jealous with the house and careful with everything,
learning always, my prince. You should become accustomed to praying with
mom and with your little brother Amani. Even at bedtime, sing psalms and
invoke JAH, so your wishes will be fulfilled. Do not doubt it, dedicate
your space to father Jahovia and he will give you reward.

I desire very soon to see you all, but first finish your classes. I
need that gift from you: that you pass everything with good grades,
that way we will be like always a happy family.

Blessings, my prince.

Sacred Emmanuel I Selassie I JAH RASTAFARI.

Translated by: Maria Montoto

April 23 2012

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