Here we have a peace song sung by Willie Nelson & Marty Dread, performed by Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespear and written by Jack Miller & Marty Dread. This clip is from the new film “Dreadlock Rock“.
What we have here is clarity because there can be no doubt on the message in the music and the point of view of the artists. There is no holding back as the artists stand up on stage and loudly proclaim their stand.
What we have here is unrestrained commitment in the face of gigantic forces that oppose the very idea of peace in everything they do. Persistence does not require hope or anything else beyond the ability to draw one more breath.
Persistence born of clarity and commitment will persevere as is proven both by history and the everyday events that surround us today. You can feel this when you watch the video and even more so when you experience this at a live event.
We do not have to accept the status quo, never have, regardless of the propaganda coming at us from mainstream media promoting government policies, religious restrictions and education by manipulation.
Each of us is a singularity, a unique individual, limited in this life only by the bounds of our mortality. Each of us is included in the infinite singularity that embraces all that is, all that was and all that will ever will be.
We cannot be reduced to faceless nameless masses, mobs, political parties or any other easy to control group that requires a leader to tell us what to think and what to do. What we can do is build a common ground between us, as autonomous self-sovereign entities who recognize the common goals of peace and well-being.
Together we can do this without another leader to be martyred by those in power who seek to reduce us to banal and universally replaceable sameness. We can each lead our own self down the path of peace and well-being.
As each of us direct our own life with persistence, commitment and clarity we will find others on parallel paths with whom we share our values and goals. In these others on parallel paths we will find mutual support and understanding.
It all starts with clarity, commitment and persistence in acknowledging our individual need for peace and well-being. In this way we will, together, create a peaceful world not because we were lead by a charismatic leader but because we each individually decided that it must be.
Dreadlock Rock is one of many such expressions of our common goals.
* * * * Artist’s Statement * * * * *
“Artists 4 PEACE”
“One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain” as Bob Marley sings in TRENCHTOWN ROCK. It’s the same in art as it is in life. Music is the universal language. Its capability to raise awareness and public concern is paramount. The ability of artists and the powerful meaning of Art to denounce forever, crimes against humanity is ageless.
As conscious artists we have an obligation to use music as a force for positive social change and a way for creating peace, healing and reconciliation. With talent and vision we use our creative power through the arts to illuminate the path to world peace.
The World Is One Community.
Our mission is to promote respect for other cultures especially that of the disenfranchised and indigenous people of our world. Our goal is alleviating poverty while empowering the innocent ones to lift themselves up.
Music is the common thread of humanity weaving us all together with a harmonious voice of peace. Creating a future of hope and nonviolence for the youth and people of the world.
One love, One heart, One People
Jack & Tonya MIller / April 2009
