Bob Marley: Legend :: essays research papers

The question isn't how long are we going to live on this earth; it is how much are we going to live on this earth. In his 36 short years, Bob Marley achieved more than most who live to a so-called ripe old age. Bob once said, "My life is only important if mi cyan help plenty people. My life is for people. That's who mi is." He lived on earth but thought the thougthts of heaven. In his song "Rastaman Vibration" Marley implores us to look out for each other. "Why not help one another along the way and make it much easier." Funkmaster George Clinton once said that Bob Marley "was one of those people who wasn't on anybody's side in particular. He was on everybody's side. And that's scary to the system." Bob told us to "open your minds and look within; are you satisfied with the life you're living?" He urged us to wake up, to arise from our sleep and slumber, as there's work to be done. And that, too, is scary for the system. In support of any Messiah, there are at least 12 apostles. In the case of Bob Marley, there is an undisclosed number of disciples whom he chose to send forth and preach the (reggae) gospel in this time. In addition to members of his Wailers band and I-Threes, he left behimd a family full of messengers. His beloved mother, Cedella Marley Booker, is the inspiration for the Bob Marley Caribbean Festival and founder of The Movement of Jah People. This organization is carrying out the dreams and goals of her son who always looked out for the underprivileged and down-trodden. Ms. Booker lives in the house Bob bought her in Miami, the spacious yard where he came to chill-out from his rigorous and demanding schedule. He once said, "This peace work, it don't stop. We, the youth, got a job to do." His younger brother, Richard Booker, is at the helm of the movement and ably acts as his mother's right hand man. Bob's sister, Pearl Livingston, is among the family members who perform each year, along with their cousins Gloria, Lorraine and Jimmy. Marley stated that "not one of my seed shall sit on the sidewalk and beg bread." Bob's children include Ziggy, Stephen, Cedella, Sharon, Damian, Julian, Kymani, Rohan and Robert. His grandchildren include Daniel, Justice, Zouri, Joseph, Stephan, Huon, Jacob, Soul Rebel, Kaya, Kymani Jr.