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Reggae music has always been around my upbringing. The speaking of pseudo-patwah and the shaking of imaginary dreadlocks whilst Bob Marley’s 'Could you be loved' was playing was a common Saturday morning activity with my family. The reggae beat with a relaxed swing has always found a way to move my body but also my spirit as well.
As a kid, my mother played cassettes of old African artist including Lucky Dube. Lucky Dube, born in 1964, was South African reggae artist that wrote music on various topics including alcoholism, abuse, poverty, and black unity. As a child, the catchy tunes always masked the true meaning of the songs. Listening to songs of meaning helped my mother and many others understand the meaning of life from other lens they hadn’t lived.
My travels in the last couple months have taken me to see the dark corners of the world where people are faced with trials and tribulations unseen in the first world. I’ve seen street kids begging from ages 3 for money and food. I’ve seen my own friends and family fall victim to diseases easily curable. Away from travel, it’s sometimes hard to see where the sun resides as the world and its evilness cloud our minds and spirits. Reggae however teaches me to always be a catalyst for change to act in accordance to my spirit and heart and find a way to improve my surroundings.
Lucky Dube wrote a song “The Way it is” in 1999 about a man who worked his way to the top and forgot about those who helped him get to where he is now. The song says,” be good to the people on your way up the ladder because you meet them on your way down.” It is a daily prayer for myself that as I continue to work through my projects and school, that I don’t forget the reason why I do what I do. It is very easy sometime to get distracted and lose focus of what really matters.
As I grow older, reggae music speaks more to my heart and spirit than it does to my ears. Though the burden of earth’s evils can be heavy, it instructs me to look to the horizon an recognize that all is well for there is a God who knows all. May I find comfort in the reggae beats and divine messages sent through the voices of humans struck down but never broken.
One Love, One Life, All Vibes.
Dennis Mashindi is a McConnell Scholar in the Class of 2021. He is studying public health, political science, and biology at the University of Louisville.
Commentary presented here is not necessarily a reflection of the McConnell Center. Thoughts are those of the author.
Commentary presented here is not necessarily a reflection of the McConnell Center. Thoughts are those of the author.