Letter from the Editor

February 2002

I remember being on a bus, traveling through the winding roads of the rolling hills in Jamaica. I was traveling through St. Ann’s parish, near Nine Miles, but there was little sign of activity. The lush green countryside, and the humid air accented the overcast day, and over the sound of the bus motor I could almost hear the movement of the clouds. The windows on the bus were open; in fact, the little girl in the seat in front of me was seeing how much of her body she could drape out of the window before her mother objected, and the warm breeze picked up and slowed down relative to the bus acceleration. Everyone knew a heavy rain was imminent, but I was observing the calm. I took out my cassette player and earphones from my bag, at one with the lone cassette that had kept me company for the long flight and the balmy nights–it was a mix I had made prior to my trip–and I pushed "PLAY."

No sooner had I turned it on than I heard the undulating bass, and the haunting melody began. "There’s a natural mystic blowing through the air," whispered Bob, on what was one of my all-time favorite Bob Marley tunes. "If you listen carefully now you will hear." I knew the song inside and out. "This could be the first trumpet, might as well be the last." And the song took on a whole new mood, a whole new meaning for me. "Many more will have to suffer, many more will have to die, don’t ask me why."

"Things are not the way they used to be," the lyrics continued. Looking at what has become of Bob Marley’s legacy, I could say the same thing. Marley was brilliant. He was a true wordsmith. He represented the underdog. He stood his own ground and didn’t take crap from the people around him. And people still loved him. Nowadays, we have Marley theme parks in Florida, Marley clothing lines and in the Caribbean, anything with Marley’s image, from shot glasses to rolling papers, is selling well in the tourist shops. His children, for as talented as they are, are not the same craftsmen of subtlety, and his message, which is so complex and forward thinking has turned into this overused "One Love" catchphrase.

This month we celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday with concerts around the globe. We celebrate the man he was, the music he made and the impact he had on the world, bringing together people of all backgrounds, religions, and political slants. Yet what fascinates me most about Bob Marley was how he was both a rudeboy and a divine messenger. He balanced his rebel side with a spiritual side, which made him a walking contradiction as well as an extraordinary role model.

I often ask myself, in which ways do I go along with the status quo? How have I bought into American culture, or consumerism? Which assumptions do I have regarding success, beauty or lifestyle that I don’t wholeheartedly believe in and might be able to change or eliminate? Conversely, which ways do I defy the norm or rebel? What sets me apart from others? And why might others admire or criticize me for that? It’s important that we all have a balance between rudeboy and saint, and in that regard, Bob Marley was truly the King.

There are a few singers who continue in Marley’s spirit, many of whom are touring in celebration of his life. Some of the great innovators have passed, like Jacob Miller and Garnett Silk, but we must give thanks to the musicians who push the envelope, who tell it like it is, who want to inspire people to live fully, combat the negative ways of our society, are about upliftment, tranquility and love, and who, because of this, don’t get caught up in their paycheck, in their ego or in the small battles of life. These are the real messengers.

And consequently, whom do you look to when there are no messengers? Marley taught us to rely on ourselves, to trust ourselves, to internalize his message. When you look to yourself for trust and guidance, you will be the support that you need. And for all of us who feel Bob Marley’s spirit when we sit still, or play his music, we know that he is within us. He definitely lives on. Happy Birthday, Bob!

"Do not be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where all the fruit is." -Anonymous

Blessings,

Laura Gardner

Editor-in-Chief

Letters to the Editor

Jahworks.org want to hear from you! Have a question we might be able to answer? A concern? A comment about the site’s content or design? E-mail your letters to editor@jahworks.org or fill out the form below. If your letter is published, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Jahworks.org t-shirt! (They’re slick and stylee–A must have for the spring!)