Dear Editor,

A lot has been said about the angle taken with the storyline of the Bob Marley biopic,
Bob Marley: One Love. Some say it was sanitised to make him out to be a hero. Some wanted to see his whole life on screen.

It is true that Marley had a way with the ladies. It is hard to ignore that, or him. Talent, rebel, fame, wealth, handsome, and sexy — put all those ingredients in a bowl and “trouble de de!”

I lift my hat to Rita Marley for sticking around because, Rastafarian or not, some of us women would have trimmed and moved on, leaving him with the others.

I suppose I still have much to learn about this grown-up life. A man once uttered the phrase “mature consenting adults” while speaking to a friend of mine. We often refer to it in amusement and say we are not mature. Truly! Because even when I act like a grown-up, I have to quickly pick up my marbles and run back inside. These streets!

Rita, you are a strong woman! It is good that you stuck around, because here you are, filthy rich! You have done yeoman’s service in carrying a dead man’s name forward. In his world, I dare say his posthumous brand is unparalleled.

The family could have buried Marley, moved on, and lived off the royalties, which would have been enough. Instead, they worked really hard to keep his name alive, much to the chagrin of many who believe his legacy isn’t about Jamaica or the reggae genre, but rather himself. Marley is not just one of the greatest musicians that ever lived, he is whole brand! And that is what makes the difference. Coupled with Brand Jamaica, it is a winner!

For all the days in poverty, so-so cornmeal porridge, log wood burning through the night, Rita, take your flowers, the money, and the movie. You earned it!

As for the girlfriends, life is unfair. It really is. But there is a thing called a marriage which many love to diminish to “just a piece of paper” or “just a ring”. But in death, it calls the shots even more than in life. And sometimes you find yourself at the funeral, child/children in tow, seated on the back bench watching the wife and her child/children upfront. Because here you cannot be recognised as anything other than the girlfriend or babymother.

So when the biopic is told from the immediate family’s experience and perspective, it’s another funeral situation.

This grown-up business is not child’s play. I will resolve that I’m not grown, because Lord knows I am not prepared to fight for decades to prove that I am the one.

Marley was a gift to us all. Let us bask in this for a moment and salute this family who, outside of his amazing music, consistently reminds us that he was here. And they chose to give us a snippet of his life which rightly depicts ‘one love’ and the impact of his wife’s influence, beyond the drama we love to see.

The emotions brought on by this, I could care less about. Reggae needs this. Jamaica needs this. The world needs this.

The powerful ode that is
No Woman No Cry is among my top five. It’s not a song about puppy love or sex; it is deep! It touches the soul. And it makes this woman actually want to cry.

I look forward to watching a story which showcases the love between two people from the ghetto with a dream to sing. For no matter where it ended up, no one can deny there was love.

Suzette Campbell

www.iamsuzettecampbell.com