Bob Marley
Survival

Bob Marley is an example of how music can sometimes transcend its limits, exempting from any merely technical and evaluative considerations, and move beyond the confines of purely artistic discourse. How music can cross boundaries and make its way into the political and social universe, be the most suitable medium to advocate for a cause, be the best conduit to give voice to those who don't have one. How an artist can remain above the rotten world of interest and exploitation, to become a symbol, emblem, banner. To become the spokesperson for the sufferings of millions of people, to denounce to the world the problems and contradictions of an era. To side with the marginalized, the losers, the victims and openly challenge the invincible giants of materialism, corruption, power with the weapons of joy, simplicity. Of hope.

On October 2, 1979, Bob Marley and The Wailers released "Survival". "Survival". In this album there is anger, social protest, deep political commitment, an exhortation to action. Bob Marley observes the pains and sufferings of the world and disagrees. He does not accept the cynical mechanisms of the system he lives in, the inequalities and injustices they inevitably provoke. So he encourages activism, "revolt", reaction. And his are not abstract, far-fetched speeches: he addresses his African brothers, deals with issues related to decolonization, civil war, the age-old profound crisis that grips the continent. There is "Africa Unite" and its reference to Pan-Africanism, the movement that promotes political unity and a common sense of identity among all African countries, and which is based on the idea of a brotherhood among blacks all over the world, victims of a sort of diaspora and destined to return to their land of origin. There is "Zimbabwe," an anthem in favor of the freedom of that country which a year later would rebel against British domination and become independent.

I don't know, the defeatism prevailing today would lead to say that music today has stripped itself of any actively political and social function, to remain pure entertainment, enjoyable pastime, huge and repulsive business. But more than anything, today there are too many artists with easy, vague, extremely undefined protests. Everywhere there are multiplying angry texts, stuffed with useless criticisms of politicians, the corruption of our times, the established system. Bob Marley had the courage to champion a people, and with his commitment and his music, to genuinely impact the society of the 70s, to concretely solve the problems that plagued it.

"Brothers, you are right, you are really right. We will fight. We must fight. We will fight for our rights".