Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley)

Bob Marley and his trademark Dreadlocks (http://photobucket.com/bobmarley)

MY HERO: Bob Marley
Born: Robert Nesta Marley
Birthplace: Small village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Bob Marley grew up rural surroundings of St. Ann to the north of the island.
Date: February 6, 1945
Died: May 11, 1981: Bob Marley died of cancer in Miami Florida

Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, guitarist and activist felt strongly about the roots of Africa and deficiencies and poor living conditions in the Jamaican ghettos. During his childhood he suffered racial prejudice because of his mixed racial origins. He had to faced his own questions about racial identity throughout his life. He stated that "I don't have prejudice against myself." Growing up he had to learn self-defense to protect himself from others who were bullying him. He became known as "tuff Gong".

At the age of 14 he left school and worked at a welder's shop, but in his spare time he played music. Music was his life. Marley and some friends formed a band, which Marley was the leader singer and songwriter and became known as one of the hottest group in the county. Marley music career had some ups and downs. But even with these ups and downs the band still rose to the top of reggae music.

Bob Marley was a strong member of the Rastafari movement. This movement was the development of reggae. He was the leading proponent of the Rastafari, he took his music out of the socially deprived ares of Jamaica. Marley then adopted the characteristic of Rastafarian dreadlocks, which became his trademark. He performed many political concerts with an effort to calm warring parties in Jamaica.

Colors of the Jamaican Flag with Bob Marley (http://photobucket.com/bobmarley)

He married Rita Anderson in 1966. They had 3 children together and he adopted two Rita's children from a previous relationship. During his life he had eight more children with separate women.

In July of 1977, Marley was diagnosed with cancer. He refused any medical treatment because of his religious beliefs. Cancer took his life at an early age of 36 in 1981, but Bob Marley left a legacy of heartbeat reggae rhythms. He is buried on island of Jamaica with honors.

Bob had a very strong faith; using his music and lyrics, Bob often spoke of love and peace. Never to pass judgment on others until you have judged yourself. He also used his music to encourage activism for the poor in his homeland of Jamaica. Through his powerful music, he shared his message of love of all and peace for everyone, especially the people of Jamaica. For these character traits I feel he is a caring, courageous and respectful person who left the most value meaning to others through his music.

Bob Marley is important to me because he felt very strong about everybody getting along in this world. He believed that we “ALL ARE EQUAL”. I believe that every person from every country around this world all have something to offer another. If we all gave love and peace a chance, as Bob Marley suggested, we all might be surprised at the outcome.