"Robert Marley"


To the uninitiated -- folks, this is Bob Marley. I just love his songs and his soul so thought I'd dedicate this space to the man who is reggae himself.

Lines from the song "Could You Be Loved":
Don't let them change you
Or even rearrange you, oh! No
We've got a life to live
They say only, only
Only the fittest of the fittest shall survive
Stay alive


Could You Be Loved was written by Bob Marley as a result of him witnessing the terrible Jamaican school system, people living in poverty, and a multitude of circumstances which caused the oppression of both the Jamaican and African people. In the line,"Don't let them fool you or even try to school you"Marley is writing about how the Jamaican school systems have a policy that says shoes must be worn in school. Many families in Jamaica cannot afford shoes, which prohibits the children from attending school and receiving an education. In the next line the song says don't let them fool you. This section maybe speaking about the lessons taught in school. Outdated history books teach Jamaican children a biased history that neglects to teach about slavery and fails to show where Jamaicans are from. Teaching practices such as these take away the peoples identity and their pride.

Marley's view of education by the public schools was very negative. He says, "Don't let them School You "because he believes this type of education shouldn't continue. Marley's education was unofficial so he learned about his people's history from music and by seeing life all around him. Marley always thought of himself as an ordinary person, but as the popularity of his music grew he had to acknowledge that he was a leader.