Parallels between the Prose of Bob Marley and Friedrich Nietzsche

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In 1645, British imperialists established colonial rule over Jamaica and exploited enslaved African to capitalize on the islands’ rich resources. An estimated 700,000 descendants of Africa were subjugated to slavery and shipped to Jamaica over the course of the following two centuries. Additionally, civilizations of indigenous people were destroyed, pre-Columbian economies were eliminated, and New World ideologies, particularly racial stratification, were established. Transatlantic slave trade was discontinued by Britain in 1807, yet, slavery continued to thrive in Jamaica until August 1, 1834 when Parliament sanctioned an indenture system that required all slaves over the age of six years to complete an involuntary four – six year term of apprenticeship prior to being granted their freedom. This system was comparatively as disparaging to blacks as slavery because oppressors sought to utilize this timeframe to further weaken and or diminish the morale of blacks before they gained their freedom. The wrath of colonization and slavery completely debilitated the black community in Jamaica and inhibited their ability to establish self-sovereignty until 1958. In 1962 Jamaica finally gained independence from Britain, yet, to this day, the economic, social, and political infrastructure of Jamaica remains dilapidated and the nation struggles to establish itself above the grade of a third world country.
Legendary reggae artist, Robert Nesta Marley, played an influential role in agitating change on behalf of disenfranchised descendants of Africa by using his music as a voice and outlet to spread awareness of the social and financial problems afflicting his people. His grassroots band, Bob Marley and the Wailers, was founded in the

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...romote the establishment an atmosphere throughout society that is completely unencumbered by forces that oppress or impede on a individual’s freedom to execute will of power. In a world that is void of imposed ideologies (e.g. racism or Christianity), both men agree that mankind is designed to establish and accomplish necessary goals to evolve to an ultimate level of being, happiness. Centuries upon centuries of established laws, religions, and stratifications have fostered a society in which man is excessively dependant on being told what is right and what one ought to do. Nietzsche and Marley call for the relinquishment of all such complacency and urge people to follow what they devise is right and what they believe they ought to do. Freedom to exercise free will is the utmost triumphant, and thus sings the prose of such Friedrich Nietzsche and Robert Nesta Marley.

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