Black History Month: The Courage of Bob Marley

Malice Intended

http://planetill.com/2010/02/black-history-month-the-courage-of-bob-marley/

Black History Month: The Courage of Bob Marley



By Odeisel

At a time when musicians seem to stand for nothing unless they can get face time on a telethon or if everyone one else is behind something, it is extremely important that we remember and honor those that stood firm in the face of scrutiny for ideals that they believed in. In honor of what would have been his 65th birthday and in honor of Black History Month, Planet Ill celebrates the life and legacy of Robert Nesta Marley.

Born of mixed heritage on the island of Jamaica, Marley would learn firsthand how cruel people can be when you are different, getting ridicule for being half Black from one side and half white from the other. Those fires forged a man of fortitude with the ability to look within for the strength to persevere. You can read his biography anywhere on the web. But here is where we let you know what it really means to be about something.

Jamaica is a country where opposing political fractions don’t fight with words and legislation. They fight with bullets. Following it’s separation from England, the country’s political parties have constantly warred for supremacy; often erupting in violence that wrought terror in the streets. Then Prime Minister Michael Manley had organized the Smile Day concert with the express purpose of creating peace between the political parties and curbing the violence. While some were concerned that it was a political move on Manley’s end, Marley and his band agreed to do the concert. It almost cost him his life.

While rehearsing in his home for the impending show, unidentified gunmen drove up and fired shots glancing his wife Rita in the head, hitting his manager Don Taylor several times, and hitting Bob himself in the chest and elbows with flesh wounds. Doctors advised Marley that the removal of that bullet would have caused paralysis in his arm so he left it in and actually performed at the concert two days later. It’s a story that would make the biggest Tupac fans tip their hat to him. When asked why he performed under such tumult, Marley answered, “The people who are trying to make this world worse aren’t taking a day off. How can I?” Without most of his Wailers, who went into hiding, following the assault, Marley performed in front of over 80,000 Jamaicans.

Come visit us at Planet Ill to read the rest: http://planetill.com/2010/02/black-history-month-the-courage-of-bob-marley/