Reggae music has been the heart and soul of Jamaica. Invented in our small but wonderful island, it has taken the world by storm and has been a representation (probably more than our Coat of Arms or ackee and saltfish) of our culture and beliefs.

And there is absolutely no doubt that the individual most responsible for the popularisation of reggae on a worldwide basis is Bob Marley. Marley, through his songs, placed Jamaica on the map and gave our island untold recognition. So is it too much to ask that Marley be honoured in a really special way?

Bob Marley

I was surprised recently when I checked the results of an Internet poll. The question the poll asked whether or not Bob Marley's birthday should be declared a public holiday. The results showed that, by far the majority of those casting their votes were in favour of the move.

The surprise came with the percentage of those who said no. Thirty-three per cent of the persons who responded said no. Now, seriously, are these persons not aware of the things this man has done to make Jamaica what it is today?

Bob Marley, through his music, has gained for Jamaica acknowledgement and respect from millions across the world. His music has a great impact on the viewpoints persons have on Jamaica and us, its people. One Love, one of Marley's best songs, is used by the Jamaica Tourist Board to sell Jamaica as a tourist destination in the overseas market.

Marley's music has paved the way for the freedom of speech Jamaicans treasure so much. He stood firm when persons looked down on him and called him "the likkle dutty-foot rasta bwoy."

Through all the slaughtering, he sang from his heart, songs which today still fill the hearts of Jamaicans. Now we take pride in hearing a foreigner ask "You from Jamaica, Bob Marley's country?

As Jamaicans we have this tendency of not readily accepting things made in Jamaica. A song sung by a Jamaican artiste can be played on the radio for months in Jamaica and nobody recognises it, but as soon as that same song makes it on BET's 106 AND PARK, you can't stop hearing it on the tongues of Jamaicans. We need to get rid of that tendency now!

We need to lift the persons who are lifting us. To those 33 per cent mentioned above, I say, rethink your positions as Bob Marley's birthday being a public holiday shouldn't even be questioned.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World