Marley

     Last night at 10:30 pm I decided to take a break from the homework and sit down to watch a movie I had been awaiting. 
     The man Bob Marley has always been one of my favorite artists, next to Led Zeppelin, Sublime and the RHCP. I always love learning about the people who produce the things that make me feel such good things. 

    Every time I hear Bob I am automatically taking to a place where I feel I am stripped of all my obligations and just simplified to enjoy the life I was given. 

    Marley was  the title of the documentary that was made this year. It had commentary from his children, his wife, his girlfriends, closets friends and family friends. 
    It starts out with where he was born, Robert Nesta Marley in Nine Mile village which is in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. He was born to a jamaican women and a german man, hint the lightness of his skin. Growing up was rough for him, and outcast he was treated by his peers and ridiculed by his grand moth who called him the "German Boy". 

Things Bob & I Share

...Biracial

...Love Soccer

...Simplicity and Family

...Holding on to Your Identitiy 

    As he grew up in a poverty stricken area he learned to live within his means even if that meant no means necessary. When you go through tough periods of time the creativity in your mind is suppose to flourish. As his did he began with his music. Dropped-out from school and focused on his guitar.
    He soon help form the group "The Wailers" with two other guys and after there first major hit "Bend Down Low" and a dispute with their manager they decided to start their own record label. 
    Before he hit it big he married his love at the time Rita Marley, whom the gang called Ritz. She would be there for Marley all throughout his life as a singer in his band, mother to his children, and guardian when he needed guidance. 

Rita Marley stands in the middle.

     At first when watching this movie, I thought 'Wow!, Is bob going to be one of those exceptions where he stayed faithful to one women throughout his career?' How western of me, Marley is from a different place, a place where love is not defined by limits but limitless. Love is limitless, beautiful and what Rita talked herself into believing. She said that Bob was more than her husband he was a person trying to preach to the masses about the beauty of life, compassion and the Rastafarian movement. If this meant witnessing the relationships he had with other women they she stuck around. 

Cedella stands in front of Bob with Ziggy to her left. 

     His daughter Cedella, one of eleven, though seemed uncomfortable with this lifestyle and said "I could not do that" if put in her mother's position. All throughout her interviews I could sense a vibe, one that wasn't all positive. I expected it though, because see Bob was dedicated to his music. 
     You learn that he had a separate house for himself and his music, where he played futbol everyday, ate healthy, practiced his religion and smoke the ganja. His family was important but all the kids say he was not a gentle man, he had a mission in life and was focused on that. 
      The things I never knew about him was how he ended a civil war in Jamaica, he was shot and survived, as well as his wife Rita. He played to the biggest crowds in the 70's but the majority were white, this upset him because throughout his life he had been rejected a lot of times. Not seeing the faces of African Americans affected him. It wasn't until he opened for The Commodores in a US tour did he get the fulfillment that he had reached that particular community. 

Best Jams 

CornerStone

Jamming

Sun is Shining

Redemption Song

     Marley died of cancer at the age of 36 years old. So young but he died rich of life. He promised a comeback and that his path was not over, but his comeback isn't needed because he has been here all along, we just have to find it within yourselves.  My image of Bob before this documentary was a carefree fellow who loved everyone but now I understand that he was much more guarded and deeply thoughtful. He was rooted in his beliefs and that guided his life, he was courageous and knew his life wasn't just his but the people's. Marley was the voice.
      This documentary was what I needed at this time in my life. A time when the media is so conflict driven and the factions of groups are so divided. I think Marley's voice needs to be remembered that understanding is only made if both sides learn to listen to each other and give one another a chance, we should be helping out one another to help the people not tearing each other down so we can gain more power. 

"STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS"

      The road Marley went through was pitted but he made it smooth by sticking to his beliefs. Its not the level of success that makes you a wo/man but the handling of each task and the enjoyment of the journey you choose. Endure the Struggle, Live in the Moment, and Love Your Purpose.