'National hero or cultural icon?'
published: Tuesday | February 13, 2007

Krista Henry

Bob Marley's international appeal is obvious and lasting. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

'Bob Marley has helped define the global image of Jamaica.'

- Dr. Leahcim Semaj

The King of reggae music, a global icon - yet not a National Hero. The Reggae Studies Unit at The University of the West Indies, last Thursday at the Undercroft, UWI Mona campus, discussed the position of Bob Marley in Jamaica and the global society.

The 10th Annual Bob Marley Lecture took on the huge task of querying 'Bob Marley: National Hero or Cultural Icon?' After the opening remarks from DJ Afifa and coordinaror of the Reggae Studies Unit Carolyn Cooper, Clyde McKenzie, chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Board, with a few humorous comments introduced the guest speaker for the night Dr. Leahcim Semaj. A consulting psychologist, Semaj gave an energetic, straightforward and enlightening lecture on the status of reggae's icon Mr Marley.

Semaj started off by making valid points about the music industry itself, its profitability on numerous levels, claiming "music is a profound entity, a multibillion-dollar industry. One hit song can feed someone for the rest of their lives". Music affects the world; the way in which people dress, act and speak. Marley used his music to affect the world, bringing forth his objectives of peace and freedom. Having personally experienced the power of Marley at his concerts, Semaj attested to the ability of the icon to connect to every single person - across borderlines, class lines, political camps and geographical boundaries.

Pausing to play clips of Marley's music, Semaj let the gathering crowd feel the words of each song. By comparing Marley to other musical legends such as Elvis, Madonna, the Beatles and more, Semaj compared the impact of Marley's message which made his music of a higher quality. Mentioning his numerous accolades, Marley seemed higher than the role of National Hero.

Although coming from Jamaica and sharing the culture of the island, Semaj declared "Marley's image is one of freedom across the world". Leaving the speechless crowd with the message that Marley is more than a National Hero but a cultural icon, whose immortality lives on, Semaj opened the floor for questions. After a brief pause, eager students and watchers posed their questions, while Semaj deftly answered.

Many were left with one resounding question - Bob Marley has obviously done a lot for Jamaica, a cultural icon no doubt, why has he not been named a National Hero?