Reggae

Social issues

One of the main themes of reggae music has been social liberation. This has both political and religious aspects.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Political awakening

The music attempts to raise the political consciousness of the audience:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The American dream

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Is not what it seem.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Why do you slumber? (Jimmy Cliff, "American Dream" 1983)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alternatives to orthodox religious dogma

It also militates for freedom from religious delusion:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most people think

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Great God will come from the skies

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Take away everything

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And make everybody feel high

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

But if you know what life is worth

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You would look for yours on earth

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And now you've seen the light

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You stand up for your rights. (Bob Marley, "Get Up, Stand Up")

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Freedom of religious expression

Repression of many kinds, and especially repression linked with the prohibition of ganja, or marijuana, which is considered a sacrament by Rastafarians, is another recurring theme in the music.

Related Topics:
Ganja - Marijuana

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Homophobia

In recent years some reggae artists have come under growing criticism and actions for lyrics encouraging homophobia and gay bashing. Homophobic lyrics have been described by J-FLAG, a Jamaican gay rights organization, as one aspect of "widespread cultural bias against homosexuals and bisexuals." Artists whose music features homophobic lyrics, such as Sizzla, have had concerts cancelled. (Sizzla was also banned from entering Great Britain and investigated by Scotland Yard on the accusation that his lyrics incited the audience to murder gays.) This has given cause to the banned artists to claim that their freedom of speech is being curtailed.

Related Topics:
Homophobia - Gay bashing - J-FLAG - Great Britain - Scotland Yard - Freedom of speech

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~