Exploring Bob Marley's Legacy

By Majessire L. Smith, Esq.

West Indians love this great entertainer and hold him up as a national treasure. Some of us feel an innate personal ownership of his accomplishments. When his name is mentioned our chests swell with pride as if we somehow had a hand in the creation of his music.

His presence is felt far beyond the West Indian community as well. As I am sure you know, Bob Marley’s immense following includes peoples of all walks of life, all cultures, and all of the far-flung reaches of the world. He is known and loved the world over for his talent as a musician and his many chart-topping albums. To this day, the posthumous release, “Legend”, is touted as one of the best selling albums of all time.

But what is it about this man—this Robert Nesta Marley—that makes him so universally loved?

Bob Marley achieved international superstardom, certainly no easy feat for a Jamaican reggae artist in the seventies. He propelled reggae music into the limelight and created a world-wide musical revolution. He added just enough pop to make his music resonate with mainstream American and European audiences, yet he still managed to maintain that gritty authenticity that could only come from his upbringing in Jamaica. His now iconic songs such as “Black Progress”, “Buffalo Soldier”, and “Africa Unite” bespeak his outspoken dedication to the pan-African struggle. Yet, to many he is remembered primarily, if not exclusively, for a single aspect of his adherence to the Rastafarian faith, his marijuana use.

In my college days, I could walk through the halls of any given dorm, and without fail I would hear “Could You be Loved” emanating from one of the doors accompanied by a certain pungent, poorly concealed smell. I often wondered if the people inside had ever even listened, I mean really listened, to the words of that song. I suspected that they had not, and that to the people inside, musical accompaniment to their own herbally-induced state of enlightenment was the extent of Bob Marley’s legacy.

I must admit, it vexed me a little, although it is probably not clear to you why it should. After all, as we’ve already discussed Bob Marley has an immense following that already does justice to his memory, even if there is one segment of the population that arguably does not. It is certainly not my intention to suggest that Bob Marley’s marijuana use somehow tarnished his image. On the contrary, it was just as much a part of the public persona that became so universally loved as his socially conscious music and ropy locks. Those of you who have seen the infamous cover of the “Catch a Fire” album know exactly what I mean. In fact, it is quite likely that he achieved his massive cross-cultural success, not in spite of his use of the herb, but at least in part because of it.

So why does this conjured image of a smoky dorm room, red-eyed college students and Marley’s music in the background vex me so much? Well, it’s simple. It appears that in certain circles Bob Marley’s marijuana use has eclipsed almost every other aspect of his legacy; and I think it’s a shame.

Not only that, but this has consequences for me. You see, I have long locks myself, but I am not a world-renowned reggae superstar. I am a licensed attorney. As you can imagine, there is already a set of preconceived notions that follow me, as a black woman with dreadlocks, wherever I go. Unfortunately most of them do not serve me well in terms of my career. When they follow me out to dinner, or to a nightclub or onto the volleyball court, they are nothing more than a nuisance. But these preconceived notions are infinitely more troublesome when they follow me into the office.

I love Bob Marley’s music. Personally, I think he is one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and I certainly appreciate his contribution to the movement. It is not my intention to suggest that he is singlehandedly responsible for all of the obstacles faced by young black professionals with dreadlocks. My claim is not nearly so melodramatic. However, I cannot help but acknowledge one unfortunate aspect of his legacy—the frequency with which it is suggested to me that, despite my performance as a capable young attorney, I will go further in my career if I cut my locks.

(Majessire L. Smith, Esq. is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine. For comments, please feel free to contact her at majessire@islandvibesmag.com.)