Should Bob Marley Be Jamaica's 8th National Hero? VOTE TODAY!

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Sign the Bob Marley Petition to help make Bob Marley a National Hero.

To vote, please go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/bobmarley
or
www.myspace.com/bobmarleypetition

It's been almost 27 years since the death of Bob Marley, yet despite previous appeals by the Marley Family and a host of posthumous awards Jamaica still refuses to accord the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley national hero status, the country's highest honour. Even when Bob was a young musician from Trench Town, his music wasn't recognized by his own people in Jamaica until his first album "Catch A Fire" became an international hit, thanks to Chris Blackwell, but also the fact that Rastafarians were regarded as outcasts, or "Black Heart" men in the 60s and 70s.

Marley's outstanding list of recognitions is undoubtedly more reason to dub him, not just an international icon, but also Jamaica's 8th National Hero

From Bob's perspective, reggae gave a voice to the poor and disfranchised citizens of Jamaica and to the world. In so doing, he also instilled pride and dignity in their heritage, however depressing the realities of their daily existence was. Moreover, Marley's reggae anthems provided uplifting rhythm and melody that induced what Marley called "positive vibrations" in all who heard it and 'hit you without feeling pain.'

Regardless of how you heard it - political music suitable for dancing, or dance music with a potent political subtext – Marley's music was a powerful remedy for troubled times. Amnesty International uses Bob's song "Get Up, Stand Up," as their anthem.

To many, Marley was a true musical ambassador and a messenger of peace. Though he never aligned himself with any political party, he found an urgent calling to bring together a divided nation ripped apart by political violence and hostility in the late 70s. At the ONE LOVE PEACE CONCERT on December 5, 1976 at the National Heroes Park in Kingston, Bob Marley in front of 80,000 people and in an unprecedented move, called on stage Prime Minister Michael Manley and his political enemy Edward Seaga to make them shake hands in unity. For his exemplary devotion to world unity and the struggle against oppression, Bob received the United Nations Peace Medal in New York on behalf of 500 million Africans.

Most importantly, Bob Marley is largely responsible for the worldwide popularity of reggae music and with it subjects, including faith, love, relationships, poverty injustice and other broad social issues that we can all relate to and experienced first hand, or through the eyes of others. Bob Marley has paved the way for many aspiring and celebrated artists to compete on the world stage of music. Because of Bob, reggae music is now coveted category at the annual Grammy Music Awards.

Bob's music bridges the cross-cultural divide, soothes the heart and mind from what Bob called "mental slavery," and can be heard by people of every gender, race, religion, color, ethnic background and political affiliation.

Bob Marley continues to posthumously serve the people through his music and its message that advocates for social change – for freedom for all mankind, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status. He is a legendary icon that cannot and should not be forgotten, hence deserves to named Jamaica's 8th National Hero.

Written by Falana Fray
www.myspace.com/ffray

[bonga]

why does it always have to be 'Marley this, Marley that'
Why doesn't anybody give credits to Lee 'scratch' Perry, the genius behind most of his well-known songs ?

And btw all Chris 'the vampire' Blackwell did was buying tapes and put his name on the records if he where the producer.

[Survival]

why does it always have to be 'Marley this, Marley that'
Why doesn't anybody give credits to Lee 'scratch' Perry, the genius behind most of his well-known songs ?

And btw all Chris 'the vampire' Blackwell did was buying tapes and put his name on the records if he where the producer.

Well, everybody knows Marley, no matter what country, no matter what music you like, everybody likes Bob Marley. He made reggae known to the world, and the other artist didn't made it that far, for some reason.

[I-Lion Tafari]

Yes I,
I totally agree to Survival! Bob deserves respect and should be a national hero.
Would appreciate if we could avoid a new discussion pro/con Bob.
Thx, cheers,
I-Lion

[ras_gaks]

...Well, everybody knows Marley, no matter what country, no matter what music you like, everybody likes Bob Marley...

true.
there's a Macka B tune(can't rem d title) livicated to Bob in which he says that even if you found only one person on the moon, he MUST be knowing atleast one Marley tune!

maybe if awarded, more will in the future...

[Dub out of Poland]

I would vote Prince Far I as well...

[imet]

there's a Macka B tune(can't rem d title) livicated to Bob

the tune is simply called bob, from the hold on to your culture album...nice song !!

[Greg]

JOE HIGGS!!! if he isnt already. then marley

[Ken]

Bob Marley was a very impressive figure in history. His music delivers positive messages, however, that is no reason to crown him as a hero. This movement I feel undermine the value of Jamaica's value, what about MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY , SIR ALEXANDER BUSTAMANTE and many other people who fought at the risk of their lives? Do we really want the world to think us Jamaicans are only about music and Reggae? Bob Marley was a talented musician, but I would not call him a hero. This article is a joke.

[jahlionyouth]

yeah I think bob marley should be...because even the reggae musicians pay tribute to him...there is a tribute song by prince fari as well to bob..like everton blender, macka b, even garnet silk, junior reid, dennis brown did see marley as the king of reggae