Foot dragging on Marley's hero status

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Last Sunday, as Bob Marley's 66th birthday was celebrated at the famed 56 Hope Road, St Andrew, address, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange pledged her support for a move to make Bob Marley a national hero.

The Gleaner reported that Grange told a national radio audience and those gathered at the Bob Marley Museum that she "supported the idea of making him a national hero". However, talk must be put into action as she said those pushing for Marley as a national hero should formally present their case through letters and petitions and that she would advocate on their behalf.

February is also Reggae Month and Black History Month.

The idea of making Bob Marley a national hero is certainly not novel. In 2004, an Associated Press report stated that members of Marley's estate had been advocating that he be accorded Jamaica's highest honour, having already been awarded the Order of Merit (OM) posthumously.

And poet and broadcaster Mutabaruka, who hosts the 'Cutting Edge' programme on IRIE FM, says "we been advocating that for years on the radio. We have used the programme to sensitise the people to it". He testifies to his personal experience of Marley's popularity and, by extension, making Jamaica known worldwide, as the singer is synonymous with the country. Mutabaruka goes further to say "Bob Marley is the most popular Caribbean individual in the world".

Marley's influence

It is not only a matter of Marley spreading the Jamaican brand - all-important to the country's position as a tourist haven and cultural powerhouse - but Mutabaruka also points to Marley's contribution "culturally, socially and spiritually". He also speaks to Marley's influence on political leaders and hence change in racial power structure in South Africa and Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). He adds that many outside Jamaica would believe that Marley is already a national hero.

"People woulda surprised to know we have this debate," he said.

And for those who would point to Marley's use of marijuana and fathering of several children by different unions, Mutabaruka says "the Queen Knight The Beatles. She knight Sir Elton John".

"What we look at is the contribution of the person. We have some moralist who say him have too much pickney and smoke too much weed. That is not the point."

"Him dead. So maybe that is one of the criteria. Him pass that," Mutabaruka said.

Mutabaruka also points out that "Paul Bogle did kill a lot of people in the (Morant Bay) Rebellion ... . Him was against the law. We no see Bob go 'gainst no law. So him smoke ganja. That no negate the contribution him make".

Power of numbers

From his viewpoint, the power of numbers is behind Marley becoming a national hero. "The majority of Jamaicans would never say no to him being national hero. Is just that it seems the people in power dragging them foot ... . Is just some little people a stumbling block," he said.

Mutabaruka seems hardly impressed by the pace of the debate. "Government can change anything them want. If them want a street one-way them can do it," he said. So the whole back and forth and petitioning is "dragging foot".

"Them can do it," Mutabaruka said. And he says "it is important them do it now before the next election. That might hang on it". With Grange's declaration of support, Mutabaruka says "... if she say it and the next six month run off, there will be a next problem".

Having long advocated publicly for Marley to be declared a national hero, Mutabaruka is unrelenting in his quest. "We nah stop say it. We nah stop say it," he said.