Marlon Vickerman, Staff Reporter

Rita Marley

Before the Marley family of today became the musical powerhouse that it now is, there were people behind the scenes, working tirelessly to protect the legacy of the musical icon, Bob Marley.

Ensuring that the values instilled in the young and impressionable Marley minds, would make them exemplary men and women of the future. Those people behind the scenes were the mothers of Bob's children, particularly his widow, the renowned first lady of the Marley family, Rita Marley.

Rita Marley, 62, who mothered five of Bob's children, Ziggy, Stephen, Cedella, Sharon and Stephanie, the latter two being adopted from her previous relationships, said parenting proved to be a challenge but she was determined not to let any of her children, biological or adopted, grow to be a bad fruit because she failed to accept or confront the task.

"As a young mother and widow, it was a challenge raising 11 children. My husband's children also became my own. I had to love them all equally. Everyone was treated as one," she said. "There was no difference or preference among them."

However, Marley pointed out that she was more watchful over her daughters, as she believes girls are more vulnerable than boys.

But keeping a watchful eye over her girls at all times was not the only challenge this mother had to face. She also had to do what many Jamaican mothers today are doing, rearing a family in an inner-city community.

"Most of my children, Sharon, Cedella, Ziggy and Steve were born and raised in Trench Town. They had the ghetto experience since they were born and raised there. Yet, this had no negative impact on them," she said, pointing to many accomplishments of her children, musically and otherwise.

"They have proven through their decorum and global achievements that any child from the ghetto could attain his or her goals."

The key to achieving these goals, she noted, partly lies with the parents fulfilling their responsi-bility, facing up to the challenges of being a good mother or father, especially in an inner city.

She continued that parents should always instruct children in love, teaching them that there is both good and evil in this life, but they should always aim for and choose the good at all costs.

Looking back at the success she has had raising the children Marley said she is eternally thankful to an aunt, with whom she grew.

In her words, her aunt made sure she was brought up with love, respect, care and discipline — never compromising her values.

marlon.vickerman@gleanerjm.com

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