r to this oppression as Babylon (Hartman “The Afrocentric Experience”). The term Babylon means, “white political power structure that has been holding the black race down for centuries” (Littman “Rastafarianism”). They claim to have been held down physically by slavery. They feel they are still brought down by poverty, illiteracy, inequality, and the trickery of the white man. Bob Marley was the most famous and influential Rastafarian. All five people I surveyed said the first thing that came to mind about Rastafarianism was Bob Marley (Moravec “Survey”). He was born on February 6, 1945. His father, Norval Marley, was a 50-year-old white naval captain, and his mother, Cedella Booker, was an 18-year-old Jamaican girl. Bob was raised in Trenchtown, Jamaica and grew up listening to artists such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino, and Curtis Mayfield. While in Trenchtown, Bob met Bunny Wailer. They both shared a love for music and formed the group the Rudeboys in 1961 (Microsoft “Malrey, Bob”). The group was later called the Wailers. The group’s early music resembled the New Orleans jazz and blues Bob had listened to as a child. In 1967 Bob’s life dramatically changed. His wife, Rite Marley, was converted to the Rastafarian religion during Haile Selassie I visit to Jamaica. She in turn converted Bob from Christianity to Rastafarianism (Salewicz “Rastafari”). This had a profound influence on his music. He began incorporating the religion’s elements in his music. His songs embraced carefree attitudes and professed his love for Jah, the Rastafarian God. As his music started becoming famous around the world, his message of peace and freedom spread throughout the world. Thousands of people began to recognize the Rastafarian religion and converted to it. Reggae music was associated with Rastafarian culture, and Bob was awarded the Jamaican Order of Meri...
