Rastafarian Concepts in America?

While reading Rastafari, I recognized how there are people in the United States that practice some of the Rastafarian rituals or identify themselves with Rastafarian style.  Particularly while I was in high school many kids that could relate to Rastafarian ideals took it upon themselves to follow the Rasta movement.  I feel like many students followed this ideology for its style more than its actual beliefs.

Throughout high school there was always a group of kids who had Rasta like characteristics.  They always had red, gold, and green wrist bands, tennis shoes, t-shirts, hats, and even piercings with these colors.  A few of them also grew out dreadlocks that they wore for weeks.  They were always listening to reggae in their cars and were especially keen for Bob Marley.  Not to mention, most of these kids also smoked marijuana.  This was the most common characteristic.

Although, I feel that this click of students in high school was actually one of the more accepting, non-racial, and non-violent groups in school, it is hard to see some of the connections of their style and actual beliefs of Rastafarian ideology.  Some people that you talk to will speak of why they dress the way that they do and with good reason but typically it is hard to find this person that is fully enriched in the Rasta movement.