THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM responding to an advertisement which has been circulated, where various people in the entertainment fraternity and the media have been appealing to the public to make Bob Marley's birthday on February 6 a violence-free day.
While I respect the work and contribution the reggae superstar has made to the development of reggae music, where it has enjoyed worldwide acclaim and made Jamaica a household name, I do not share the idea of Bob Marley being made national hero.
A hero is a brave person who ignores his own security and at great odds champions the cause of the oppressed or risks his life to save a life. There are people who do things for personal gain and some who live for others which is the greatest living.
We cannot take up someone who did things for personal gain and make him/her into a hero.
Where February is being promoted as violence-free day, my question is what about the other days?
It's so sad to see that so many things have become so commercial nowadays, while little value has been placed on the needs of the people.
I think every day should be made violence-free for the benefit and security of the populace and not just one day because of one person where few will benefit.
The way I see it, Mr. Editor, it is the price of fame which has become the subject of the celebration where the stage has been set for a bandwagon of which so many want to get on board. It's full time something be done to create the kind of environment where it can be said it's people time now.
I am, etc.,
LEONARD B. OLIVER
President, Nukabatu Martial Arts Assn
Kingston 8
