music and mayhem in the bohemian triangle

Bob Marley

I’ve been a fan of “uncle Bob”, as he is known in my home, for many years. Recently I watched “MARLEY”, the new documentary made about his life story. It was incredible to watch. Emotional, insightful, exciting, inspiring. I learned things about him I had not known before. For example, he was able to bring peace during a time of serious political tensions in Jamaica such was his popularity and influence. He endlessly strove for peace, love and unity amongst all people. He was able to bring two opposing political leaders on stage during a concert and get them to hold hands as a symbol of peace. I could go on and on but I’ll let you watch the documentary instead!

Of course, he is only human and was not perfect. I have yet to meet someone who is. He had a wife but had a mistress on the side. Sometimes he wasn’t always the most present and loving father (sounds like a lot of men I know!).

Well, the next day i was speaking to an acquaintance about the movie. I said I felt Bob Marley’s life story was incredibly fascinating. His contribution to humankind was so huge and important that his life story should be taught in schools. I should mention now that this acquaintance was white.

“NAh” she said in a backwater nasal tone ” He was sexist weren’t he?”

I gasped. She could see my shock.

“Mind you” she said, quickly trying to redeem herself “They teach kids about Martin luther King and he was sexist too, so maybe…”

Somehow I managed to collect my thoughts and form a coherent sentence despite my rage.

“Well” I said ” In school you learn all about Henry viii, who, judging from the fate of his 8 (or was it 7 wives) was no suffragette. Sir Francis Bacon, Christoper Columbus, Winston Churchill, Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini etc etc, all these men were no doubt sexist. And on top of that they were racist and imperialist too, so why do we learn about them in school? What good deeds have they done?”

She had no words. She fumbled some kind of justifiction for her remark but we both knew it was in vain.

And so, steady as we go, the struggle is not over

BUT, to Bob Marley, Martin Luther King and all the other visionaries who have come before:

We will get there

ONE LOVE

xx

There was a young woman who swallowed a lie…

To read the rest of the poem click here:

http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/scriptorium/wlm/tax/index.html

Peace

X

jubilee/jubilani

All is fine and frail here in the London Town. The jungle may be concrete but it’s little pockets of nature are thriving. It feels like there are birds everywhere- in my garden alone we have been treated to sightings of blackbirds, magpies, chaffinches, blue tits, robins, great tits and more. And, is it just me, or are they bolder than ever before? Birds are approaching me, getting close I almost feel like mary poppins.

Upon returning from the hippy paradise that was Small world festival this city feels like a wedgie that I can’t ignore. It feels like the sound of grinding metal. Brrrr and the people are grizzly!

And so, I found it rather inneresting that the south African word “Jubilani” means celebration.

In case you hadn’t heard, there was a Jubilee going on.

In case you didn’t know, I didn’t like it one bit.

Why?

I shall let a single image speak for itself as I cannot be bothered to waste precious time and energy formulating thoughts about this rather odiferous event. Those of you who, despite all the facts, remain “Proud To Be British” may wish to not read further (in fact you may wish to cease reading my blog altogether!!)

In Kenya, in the first year of the Queen’s reign - Thousands of MauMau are held in concentration camps, to later be slaughtered in order to protect her territory in the first 8 years of her rein.

This is a single picture, although there are thousands more.

This is what the monarchy represents to me. Death, destruction, and lack of respect for life.

Someone please tell me, WHY AM I EXPECTED TO WORSHIP AND RESPECT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING ESPECIALLY ONE WHO REPRESENTS AN EMPIRE WHO HAVE CAUSED SO MUCH DEVASTATION AND DESTRUCTION ON THE PLANET??????

WHY again???

It was with horror I realised that many people I knew who are concious, progressive, free thinking and spiritual fell for the hype and worshipped the little old lady on the day of her Jubilee. Same people were glued to the telly watching the royal wedding. WHY???? Can you believe someone invited ME to a Jubilee party???

It was this that made me realise, that perhaps I am not being as upfront as I could be about my beliefs. Perhaps, although I burn inside and have so many alternative opinions, I play safe on the outside for fear of alienating and offending people.

Well. NOT ANYMORE :-)

Look at the world around us, look at the world we are leaving to our children. We can do something to change it. We can stop being damn fools who worship and defend the very people who oppress us. We complain about all the things wrong in the world and then just sit and let it all happen not daring to step out of line. And then seek to put down those who seek to show what is really going on as conspiracy theorists, potheads and freaks!!!

But I have wisened up. Those people who won’t face what is going on are cowards. They live everyday in proverbial soiled wedified underwear. They also feel that they are worthless people who deserve nothing and they want YOU to fell the same way! Thats why they put you down, laugh at you, call you crazy etc. They are scared and you are not. You are a courageous warrior, a lion amongst sheep and you must never be swayed by weaklings. As humans we seek to fit in with the tribe, we are social animals. But the tribe is sick and the society is fucked up. Never before has it been more urgent to live ones truth 100% and to trust oneself.

Lators gators and remember to always endeavour to: