THE EDITOR, Sir:
IMAGINE, ON the anniversary of Bob Marley's birthday in February, a million-dollar concert is currently being planned in Africa by the talented Marley clan, all Jamaicans, celebrating the music of another great Jamaican, all being done outside of Jamaica!
This concert is already getting worldwide publicity, more so with the news that Rita Marley was considering relocating Bob's body! Imagine the impact a concert of this magnitude could have had on our country, the publicity and worldwide attention.
The spotlight should have been on Jamaica, the birthplace and home of Bob, the birthplace of reggae music. An event like this could have even been an annual event, a major celebration of our most famous Jamaican, someone recognised worldwide for his great talent, music, and wisdom. I just don't get it. Why can't our country see through these things, why are we lacking in vision, when there is so much to celebrate, right at our fingertips?
The country is slowly losing its greatest assets, I was actually shocked when I first heard that someone like Rita Marley left Jamaica to make Africa her home. It's a real pity that the infrastructure and environment needed to encourage and celebrate our own cultural development just isn't enough.
Art and culture are the soul of a people; they must be preserved and celebrated constantly. The most advanced and successful countries are the ones which do this, they become a way of life, embedded into people's everyday existence.
Jamaica today should be boasting the world's largest museum on reggae music using today's audio-visual technology, where people from around the world can visit and see and learn about its history and impact on our society and the world at large.
I am, etc.,
P. CHIN
chin_P@yahoo.com
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
