By Melissa Martin

Bob Marley led a colorful and controversial life, and he is remembered and celebrated as both a music icon and a humanitarian for equality. 

Marley stated his racial views in 1975 by declaring “My father was white and my mother black, you know. Them call me half-caste, or whatever.  Well, me don’t dip on nobody’s side.  Me don’t dip on the black man’s side nor the white man’s side.  Me dip on God’s side, the one who create me and cause me to come from black and white, who give me this talent.” 

Did Marley make peace with being a biracial man living in a world of racism? Music was his gift to a divided humanity.  

“In the 36 short years of Bob Marley’s life, his iconic music evolved from ska to reggae to rocksteady, and eventually into a blend of all three that, along with his wild dreadlocks, became his signature style,” according to National Today’s website. Marley’s birthday is celebrated annually on February 6^th. He was born in Nine Mile, Jamaica, and was given the birth name Nesta Robert Marley. His birthday is now celebrated around the world as Bob Marley Day. 

In the 1970’s Marley sang about political unrest in Jamaica. “In 1976, during one of his peace concerts, an assassination attempt was made on his life, along with his wife and manager. All of them survived and Marley showed up two days later for his next gig.”  

Marley planned an American tour to reach blacks living within the U.S. Unfortunately, he died of cancer in 1981. “I don’t stand for the black man’s side, I don’ t stand for the white man’s side. I stand for God’s side.” –Bob Marley. 

The United Nation’s Peace Medal of the Third World was given to Marley in 1978. In 1981, he was awarded The Order of Merit for his contributions to Jamaican culture. In 1994, Bob Marley was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. In 2001, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Frame. In 2002, he was bestowed the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. A statue of Bob Marley stands tall in Kingston, Jamaica. Learn more at www.bobmarley.com.  

“My music will go on forever. Maybe it’s a fool say that, but when me know facts, me can say facts. My music will go on forever.” –Bob Marley 

Many books have been penned on the life of Marley. “So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley” by Roger Steffens is a more recent book (2017) with thirty-five chapters. “A revelatory, myth-shattering history of one of the most influential musicians of all time, told in the words of those who knew him best.” 

“If you’re white and you’re wrong, then you’re wrong; if you’re black and you’re wrong, you’re wrong. People are people. Black, blue, pink, green – God make no rules about color; only society make rules where my people suffer, and that why we must have redemption and redemption now.” –Bob Marley 

Being an advocate of early literature and a picture book author myself, my favorites are the picture books based on his songs and adapted by Marley’s daughter, Cedella: Every Little Thing, All You Need is Love, What a Wonderful World, and One Love. Cedella is the acting director of the Bob Marley Foundation, which works with disadvantaged children in Jamaica. 

Ziggy, Marley’s son is the author of the children’s books: I Love You Too, My Dog Romeo, Music Is in Everything. Little John Crow is a 2021 picture book by Ziggy and his wife Orly. Ziggy Marley is an eight-time Grammy Award winner, Emmy Award winner, author, philanthropist, and reggae icon.  

Bob Marley was both popular and controversial in his social justice beliefs and his personal life during his years on Earth. “Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I’m not perfect-and I don’t live to be-but before you start pointing fingers…make sure you hands are clean!,” proclaimed Marley.  

Rest in peace, Bob Marley, my brother.  

Author:

Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is a syndicated opinion-editorial columnist. She lives in USA.