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Shanetta Brunson
Professor James Johnson
Written Reflection: What does it mean to be human?
June 25, 2016

Bob Marley: His Legacy, His Music, His Words

Robert Nesta Marley, known to the world as Bob Marley, was born in Jamaica on
February 6, 1945 and died May 11, 1981. In 1975, while Bob was touring Europe, he was
diagnosed with Melanoma Cancer in his right big toe which spread throughout his body. Bob
Marley was a singer, songwriter, musician and activist. His father was a white Jamaican and his
mother black Jamaican. Bob Marley was known internationally for reggae music and
Rastafarianism. He was a brilliant and reminiscent musician. He is accredited with exposing and
helping to expand both Jamaican music and Rastafarianism. Marley captured an extensive,
diverse and integrated audience. His music was and still symbolizes race, class, protest and
political symbols. Marleys practice Rastafarian movement contributed to art and music and
politics. He has composed several songs such as Buffalo soldier, Exodus, Get up stand up for
your rights, Redemption songs much trouble in the world, Concrete jungle, War and an extensive
list of others. So from the musical prophet I present the revolutionary lyrics of WAR/ NO
MORE TROUBLE.
Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another, inferior is finally and
permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is WAR.

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That until there no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation, until the
colour of a mans skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes me say War. That
until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, dis a War. That
until that day the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship rule of international morality will
remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued but never attained, now everywhere is War. And
until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique, South
Africa, and sub-human bondage have toppled utterly destroyed well, everywhere is War. War in
the east, War in the west, War up north, War down south, WAR WAR. Rumors of war until that
day THE African continent will not know peace, we Africans will fight-we find it necessary and
we know we shall win; as we are confident in the victory, of good over evil.
It not only transmits a message but it informs and educates on a political social and
academic level. The song was inspired by a Haile Selassie, held at the Inauguration of OAU (an
Organization of African Unity). The song calls for abolition of racial and class discrimination.
War" is a song recorded and made popular by Bob Marley of course. The lyrics are almost
literally derived from a speech made by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie 1 spoke before the
United Nations General Assembly in 1963. Marley, along with fellow Rastafarians worship Haile
Selassie I of Ethiopia as the incarnation of God, and refer to him as "Ras Tafari," "Jah" or The
Lion, which Marley does in many of his songs. To him, Selassie was not only one of the most
prominent African leaders of his time, he was also identified as God returning to earth as "King
of Kings, Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19, 16), imperial titles born both by Selassie.
The lesson that Marley has taught us, which is beneficial, particularly to the new
generation of musicians, is the way in which he mixed musical creation with activism. Marley

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not only wrote songs about Africa, but also backed that up with activism on the ground. One of
the most potent examples was his performances in Zimbabwe to usher in their independence.
Marley was a passionate follower of the Zimbabwe Liberation front wrote the song Zimbabwe in
honor of their struggle for liberation. The lyrics of the song spoke to the rights of all people to be
self-determination in the song Marley states, "Every man got a right to decide his own destiny
and in this judgment there is no partiality So arm in arm well fight this little struggle, cause
thats the only way we can overcome our little trouble." These lyrics were an essential part of the
motivation for the army in the fight for national liberation, which speaks to the inspirational
power of popular culture as a transforming agent.
Rastafarianism was vital to Marleys personal life and most importantly the music. The
Rastafarian movement is a monotheistic, religious movement that was conceived in the Christian
culture in Jamaica in the 1930s. It is a highly organized and disciplined religion. It is both a
movement and ideology. One trademark of the movement is deadlocks; these locks were
permanently fashioned by Marley. Many Rasta argue that it is more like a way of life and not a
religion. This way of life encourages them to find faith and inspiration within themselves. We
often hear Marley through his music and interviews speak profoundly about how imperative
inspiration is and what he gets from it. Haile Selassie is an important figure in the movement he
is seen as a prophet and worshipped. Awareness of Rastafarian movement has multiplied
throughout much of the world; I would say thru the power and influence of reggae music and
Bob Marley. The movement embraces various Afro centric social and political issues along with
the obligation, Marley deemed it necessary to compose defiant and politically charged album.
The parties respective roles of incumbency and opposition created forceful rivalry. On one of
Jamaicas most pertinent and historical concerts; organized by the then present Prime Minister

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Michael Manley in an attempt to minimize or alleviate the conflicts and war between the two
parties. The concert was titled Smile Jamaica Marley played the most important and impressive
role as he united on stage the In Jamaica, West Indies were Marley was a citizen there is
tumultuous politics. Historically, there are two political parties the Jamaica Labor Part and the
Peoples National Party, and both had broken government, contempt of social and leaders of both
parties. That image is profound and pivotal and will forever be treasured in Jamaicas history.
Marley did several concerts in Jamaica, One love, Peace, among others in order to attain
tranquility from the existing social and political issues. Marley made many contributions to art,
music and politics in Jamaica. Music in Jamaica is an escape from the callousness of everyday
life, a feel good time and narrating existing issues. This has obviously resonated throughout the
world.
The music, life and philosophy of the late, great Robert Nesta Marley has been shaped
and influenced by the political climate of Jamaica. This political atmosphere has affected his
writings tremendously and his writings in turn, affected the Jamaican politics of the day.
Marleys music grew out of both severe and constant economic impoverishment as well as
political discontent with the government and its policies; and it is in this context that as well his
music must be analyzed and understood. This explores the genesis of Marley and his works as
well as an examination of aspects of the political climate in Jamaican after independence in 1962
and later the 1970s and the 1980s. During this period he rose to prominence and his music gave
rise to a new form of consciousness among blacks and a defiant rejection of the system of
oppression.
His polarity was built upon universal power of a language that was simultaneously and
inextricably both poetic and political. Marleys music became intertwined with the longing for

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freedom and rights that was evident in every variety of government; across Africa, the Pacific,
and Latin America. Captured by any means necessary, that rebel music travelled far from its
original source and discovered new voters particularly among indigenous and colonized people.
Bob Marley left a lot of a wealth of legacy he was and is still honored by his homeland Jamaica
and the international community at large. These honors range from the statue inaugurated in his
honor at the entrance of the national stadium in Jamaica, postage stamps, the Bob Marley
museum, selected songs are used as theme songs for the Jamaica tourist board, clothing
accessories, artifacts, awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit, and countless others in his
homeland.
In conclusion, one can conclude that year after his death, he still has an immortal and the
uncanny presence internationally. He personified the universal struggle for justice, peace, human
rights and equality. His lyrics of denunciation, resistance, resilience and comfort and be
resonated worldwide. He has become a symbol.
Jamaicans are proud and treasure the precious qualities and contributions he has impacted
on the nation. It helps to transmit legacies, resources of hope and change. His life of cultural
blend and integration was inspired by the creative experiences. In a nut shell for him the message
was quiet simple, ONE LOVE.

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References
Marley, Rita with Jones Hettie. No Woman No Cry, My Life with Bob Marley. New York , NY :
Hyperion Books, 2004.
Taylor, Don and Henry Mike. Marley and Me, the Real Bob Marley Story. Ft, Lee , NJ :
Barricade Books Inc. 1995.
White, Timothy. Catch a Fire, The Life of Bob Marley. New York , NY : Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, 1983.