For centuries, musicians have used their skills to convey messages and to spread the word of their causes around the world. Songs such as "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield helped shape the United States during the tragedy of Kent State and helped to fuel the protests of Vietnam. Other groups, such as Red Delicious of Ireland and Nina of Germany, helped to shape the political and social environments in their own nations.

However, perhaps the most well known protest artist on an international level is Robert Nesta Marley, known to the world as Bob Marley. For over 20 years, Marley's songs of religious faith and protest against white institution spurred the nation of Jamaica, and eventually landed reggae protest music in the spotlight in dozens of nations. This paper will discus

Marley's choice of art form was not surprising, considering his background in the music scene of Jamaica from early childhood. Born in Nine Miles, St. Ann, Marley was surrounded by poverty and oppression, but saw music as a way for the people around him to cope with their situations. While many musicians were simply local workers, they quickly taught Marley the basics of reggae music, and the guitar. Upon his departure to western Kingston in his teens, Marley was exposed to the music of Ray Charles and Fats Domino. While not reggae, the music held some rebellious undertones, and protested mistreatment on many levels. Spurred on by his desire to change the conditions of his people, along with his newfound faith in Rastafarian religions, Marley's musical path was set for a lifetime of protest art (White, 12).

Bob Marley was one of the founding musicians of what is now known as "international reggae". His unique blend of Rasta-based lyrics and popular issues, combined with the rhythmic beats of reggae music helped to shape the voice of the Rasta protests for generations. With songs such as "Redemption Song" and "Get Up, Stand Up", Marley sought to show the world the plight of the oppressed black man at the hands of the Babylonian structures. By conveying themes of the Rasta faith, and through his non-violent protest methods, Marley was able to bring about change in his homeland, and for his people worldwide. Through his music, Marley asked his listeners to fight for their rights, and gave them the international vision to change the world.

In both songs, Marley relied on reggae music to convey the message of protest, a tactic not unique to the world of art. Although his style was slightly different that that of early "roots" reggae, with less heavy emphasis on strictly Jamaican conditions, such as the deplorable living conditions in the Jamaican slums, Marley still used the art form to protest the conditions faced by blacks, internationally. While other music of Marley's did incorporate Jamaican-only issues, most, like these two pieces, focused on slavery and protests against the Babylon institutions (Reckord, 12).

Again, Marley is plainly protesting the colonization of African peoples, and the enslavement, both mentally as well as physically, of all blacks. Further, Marley is using themes of responsibility and pride to further bring his listeners into the concepts presented within the music. When combined, the lyrics present a compelling argument to rise up and fight against those who wish to oppress the Jamaican people.

It is clear, by examining the core beliefs of the Rastafarian religion in relation to "Get Up, Stand Up" that the song is a song of protest against the white political and religious powers that have held down the Jamaican blacks, as well as blacks throughout the world for centuries. The song became a Rasta theme throughout the world, and Marley, as a result, quickly became a leader in the Rasta movement (Scheurer, 235).

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Approximate Word count = 2584
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)