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The year 2009 marks twenty-eight years since the death of Bob Marley, yet despite international appeals and a host of post-humous awards, Jamaica still fails to accord him National Hero status. Even when Bob was a young musician from Trenchtown, his music wasn't even recognized by his own people in Jamaica until his debut album "Catch A Fire" became an international hit, thanks to Chris Blackwell, who I had the pleasure of meeting last month in Jamaica, and the fact that Rastas were regarded as outcasts in the 60s and 70s.

Marley deserves to be among the fraternity of Jamaica's honored heroes. He has done more for Jamaica through his music than most politicians have done to temper violence and businessmen to promote tourism to their war ravaged country. Even Bob's song "One Love" was adopted as a theme song for the Jamaican Tourist Board. It was even voted Anthem of the Millennium by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). Marley's laundry list of recognitions is even more reason to dub him, not just a National Hero, but an "International Hero." At home, his birthday, February 6th, is observed as a national holiday in Jamaica, he has the Order of Merit (OM), which is Jamaica's third highest honor, was awarded the Medal of Peace from the United Nations and voted Artiste of the Century by Billboard magazine. He was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

His album Exodus was chosen Album of the Century by TIME magazine and his Legend album received the Diamond Award. He is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by National Academy of Recording Artistes. Last but not least, Bob has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As Robert Palmer wrote in a tribute to Marley upon his induction, "No one in rock and roll has left a musical legacy that matters more or one that matters in such fundamental ways."

From Bob's perspective, reggae gave a voice to the poor and disfranchised citizens of Jamaica and, by extension, the world. In so doing, he also instilled them with pride and dignity in their heritage, however sorrowful the realities of their daily existence. Moreover, Marley's reggae anthems provided rhythmic uplift that induced what Marley called "positive vibrations" in all who heard it. Regardless of how you heard it - political music suitable for dancing, or dance music with a potent political subtext – Marley's music was a powerful potion for troubled times. Bob's music bridges the cross-cultural divide, soothes the heart and mind from mental slavery, can be heard by people of every gender, race, religion, color, ethnic background and political affiliation. Award Bob Marley the Order of National Hero and continue to make Jamaica proud.

"His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, run lightning, leading the people of the slaves to shake hands. . . To show the people that you love them right, to show the people that you gonna unite, show the people that you're over bright, show the people that everything is all right. Watch, watch, watch, what you're doing, because . . I'm not so good at talking but I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. I'm trying to say, could we have, could we have, up here onstage here the presence of Mr. Michael Manley and Mr. Edward Seaga. I just want to shake hands and show the people that we're gonna unite . . . we're gonna unite . . . we've got to unite . . . The moon is high over my head, and I give my love instead. The moon is high over my head, and I give my love instead."