He sat in the second row on the government side of the youth Parliament. On the concept of "lookism", he did not quite fit in with the other young men who were all dressed in suits.

Dressed in a burgundy dashiki with trimmings around the collar, he nodded when points were being made, though abstaining from the desk thumping which his colleagues happily engaged in.

Though not mimicking the looks or actions of his peers, his passion for Jamaican youths was very evident. Did we mention that he is a Rastafarian?

Deray Brooks, who represented the Nyabinghi order in the annual youth Parliament, yesterday said he did so to bring the concerns of the young people he knew back in the Norwood community of Montego Bay, St James.

Don't judge by faith

Brooks, a culinary chef, said one should not judge him by his faith, but by the substance of his thoughts. Similarly, he thinks that all Jamaicans should be treated equally.

"I strongly believe in equal rights and justice, I believe every man has a right to their own thoughts, philosophy and opinions and I believe what Haile Selassie I believe, in that a man beliefs is his personal thing," he told The Gleaner.

"I don't think because you are affiliated with any religious concept or religious group you should be judged on that level. I believe in equilibrium, we are all human beings. Blood run through our veins, so the fact that I am a Rastafarian, I am still a youth, and whatever affects the youth of Jamaica affects me," he added.

Felt no discrimination

Brooks, who was born in Manchester, said he felt no discrimination against his faith at the Parliament, or the fact that it was a novelty that a Rastafarian was sitting in the parliamentary benches of Gordon House.

He hopes that his presence will encourage people to drop some of the misconceptions they might have of the Rastafarian faith. He also wants more Rastafarians to become advocates of their lifestyle and beliefs.

"I think that we should have more advocacy. For far too long we have to make the society listen to us. We have to make people understand more about the Rastafari culture and livity," he said.

While not planning on becoming part of the two-party political system in Jamaica, he said he would continue to be a voice for the voiceless.