Bob Marley – A Jamaican National Hero – Part I

Bob Marley – A National Hero – Part I

 

When will the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley get the “Order of National Hero” recognition? The “Order of National Hero” is Jamaica’s highest honor. Is Bob Marley – A Jamaican National Hero? Well, that’s the question many people have been asking. Bob as he is affectionately called around the world awaits his monument statue in National Heroes Park in Jamaica. Many says that Marley’s world wide accomplishments and visionary prophecy have more than qualified Mr. Robert Nesta Marley’s statue to stand tall in monument park alongside Jamaica’s other seven National Heroes. This conversation has been the talk of the town and the question has being raised time and time again. people are talking and waiting for their voices to be heard. Their hope is that one day it will become a reality. Over the years, people have gathered and collected signatures and signed petitions with one intention, that one day the highest honor is given to Bob Marley. Now people are waiting for the decision makers, the Government, the law of the land of Jamaica to recognize Robert Nesta Marley as a National Hero.

Does Robert “Nesta” Marley, Deserves Jamaica’s Highest Medial of Honor?

 

Well, many people we spoke with believe he deserve the medal. These people have been asking and waiting patiently for Jamaica to honor him with the highest honor, the “Order of National Hero.”

May 11, 2016 will be 35 years since Bob Marley died and he is still the most recognizable person out of Jamaica. August 6, 2016 will be Jamaica’s 54th Anniversary since the country gain independence from Britain in 1962. The people are humbly asking their government to make the commitment and give Bob Marley the distinguish honor of Jamaica’s highest medial of honor, “Order of National Hero.” They are saying, lets make Jamaica’s 54th  anniversary and beyond a year that will always be remembered as Jamaica’s Independence and Bob Marley’s “Order of National Hero.” celebration. Jamaica can invite the world to come home and help to celebrate this joyous occasion.

 

Who Deserves Their Country’s National Hero

Many heroes around the world who were given their country’s highest honor had a questionable past. Their history in the past were not perfect. However, the country made the decision that even thought their national hero made some bad decision during their younger years, their contribution to their country far outweighed any of their less than perfect decisions. If we take a trip around the world and research the people who were given recognition as national heroes of their land, people may or may not be surprised of the findings depending on their individual outlook.

 

Just about every country around the world, give a certain status to the people they symbolize. They put the face of their national heroes on the country’s currency and name streets, highways and parks after them. However, when you research these heroes around the world, they were former slave owners, womanizers, drug traders, oppressors of human rights, land smugglers and more.

 

But their country came to a decision that their contributions far outweigh any bad decision. As a result, these people were given the country’s highest honor. Many people in Jamaica are asking their government to please take a deeper look at Bob’s accomplishments and how he has inspired the world. They are asking their decision makers to recognize that during the height of the political violence which was taking over Jamaica in the mid 1970s, the people needed to hear from a different voice. They needed to hear from a voice of reasoning and the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley was there to answer that call, he was that voice. Many visitors to Jamaica and people around the world are asking the question, When will the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley get the “Order of National Hero”?

 

Jamaica’s Position in the World.

Jamaica is described as a Third World Country. This third world title given to Jamaica and other Caribbean Countries is due in part to the country’s economic struggles and under developed infrastructure. So just imagine, even 35 years after his death, Bob Marley continues to play a significant role in helping to improve Jamaica’s economy. Today Jamaica has strong brand recognition around the world. Because of Bob Marley’s popularity and his global influence many people sought out Jamaica for their island of choice when vacationing. Jamaica is attracting millions of tourist each year because of the fabulous promotion done by Jamaica’s Tourist Board. However, the curiosity about Jamaica started because fans of Bob Marley and his music wanted to know more.

 

People continues to be inspired from the message in Bob’s music.

Whenever, you hear people around the world having a conversation regarding Bob Marley the question always comes up on why is he not a National Hero in Jamaica’s. These conversations were always meaningful and passionate. These people were comparing Jamaica’s seven National Heroes and the challenges they faced along their journey. Their arguments compared the challenges Bob Marley faced along his journey during his time. People were able to separate the issues. During the times in which Robert Nesta Marley was making his contribution, the world was different, there were no slave revolts going on in Jamaica. His challenges and motivation were different. This was a time, when Jamaica’s inequality in a growing population was becoming more divided. The rich were getting richer and the sufferers were struggling and looking for an identity. Bob Marley was there to answer that call. He walked the same path of living with the inequality and as he puts it, in the “Babylon System.” among the people. Bob’s objectives were the same, to gain economical equality for the people, all people.

 

Bob Marley fought a rebellious fights in the late 20th century

Take for example, the slave revolts in 1738, 1831 and the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865 with Mr. Paul Bogle and Mr. George William Gordon.  They were all fighting for the betterment of the people. How about the turmoil of 1938 with union workers across Jamaica going on strike in all the Parishes. The strike was significant because the poor people could not take care of their family. The strike brought attention to the poor social and economic conditions, the people wanted changes. Whether it was the slave revolt, the economical inequality or Legendary Queen Nanny, Chieftainess of the Maroons fighting for freedom for the people, all Jamaica’s National Heroes challenges were about helping the people. Mr. Norman Washington Manley and Sir Alexander Bustamante fought social and economic injustice. Robert Nesta Marley fought a great fight, a global fight for the people.  When you listen to the people of Zimbabwe, it was Bob Marley, The Prophet who gave them strength to fight for their freedom. Bob Marley fought a rebellious fight in the late 20th century against today’s problems. Through the messages in his music they brought attention to current day struggles fighting against social and economic inequality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued:

Part II:

will further highlight the people’s call for Bob Marley – A Jamaican National Hero! and highlight the importance  of the     “Smile Jamaica” concert.