Castro and Cuba had convinced Manley and others throughout the world that their Socialism\/Communism was a great dynamic for their country. They were most influential in the Caribbean region of Jamaica, which was only 90 miles away from Cuban shores. They had convinced Manley and other Jamaicans that Cuba was a good working example. In fact, Cuba\u2019s greatest import to Jamaica was sending medical personnel to Jamaica to augment the challenged medical system. In the 1970s, many Jamaican students of college age then went to Cuba to learn medicine. Cuba eventually also sent funding to start grade schools in Jamaica. It was apparent that Cuba had a foothold in the emerging country. Some of this influence also slipped into other Caribbean islands such as Grenada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jamaican people had what could only be described at the time as a \u201csoft\u201d civil war. Many people who were very aware of (the Soviet Union backed) Cuba were actively trying to resist their influence. There were also those who thought the idea of going the way of Cuba was a good idea. The political parties \u2014 the PNP (headed by Michael Manley) and the JLP (headed by Edward Seaga) \u2014 convinced their followers that each of their sides were just and using almost any means to defeat the other. During 1972-1980, which was under Manley\u2019s governance as Prime Minister, this situation manifested itself as violence and death in the Jamaican streets. The political death toll was in the hundreds annually. It is estimated that as many as 844 people were killed in political violence surrounding the election of 1980. It is in this climate that Bob Marley wrote \u201cThree Little Birds.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was much to worry about. Besides the violence and killings, there was rampant inflation, shortages of consumer products. There was also a \u201cbrain drain\u201d going on from Jamaica. Its most influential and educated citizens were fleeing primarily to the US. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBob,\u201d as we Jamaicans affectionately refer to him, saw his role as getting people to work together rather than fight. He wanted the Jamaicans to focus on the positive. He was part of a peace rally in 1978 that prompted both party leaders to attempt to work together. This iconic picture is a significant moment in the political history of Jamaica. It shows the leaders of the two distinct parties in Jamaica at the time making a gesture of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast forward to today \u2013 how can we apply the \u201cThree Little Birds\u201d principle to our lives. We must find a way to dismiss the negative and naysayers in the world. On Jan. 1, 2000 when no planes fell out the sky because of \u201cY2K,\u201d we should have been encouraged that those predicting the end of the world (again) were incorrect. On Dec. 12, 2012 when the Mayan calendar\u2019s \u201czero dating\u201d apocalypse did not occur, we should have been even more skeptical. Remember, too, Al Gore\u2019s doomsday clock that the world had until Jan. 27, 2016 to stop climate change by ending use of fossil fuel. I\u2019m not exactly sure how he was able to get such a precise date, but surely he must know. By now each of us should know that there are those who will do their best to convince us of doomsdays yet to come. Equally by now, we should know that no matter what the real or perceived crisis is, we find ways to press on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marley\u2019s \u201cThree Little Birds\u201d song is not about some na\u00efve person simply hoping for the best. He is merely applying the universal \u2014 and in the case of Christians, the concept that humans are ultimately not in charge of the final destiny of ourselves. That force we acknowledge as God governs everything (seen and unseen). \u201c Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We see that inflation is currently running at 9.1% and gas prices are significantly higher. We don\u2019t worry \u2013 we pray. Ukraine is being crushed by Russia. We don\u2019t worry \u2013 this will be solved some way, somehow. Water in Lake Mead in the Las Vegas area, where I live, is at an all time low; it too will be all right. So many other issues to worry about \u2013 the debate on guns\u2026 Roe v. Wade, immigration\u2026 is Crypto currency a thing of the future?\u2026 will Elon Musk ultimately buy Twitter?\u2026 (I put that last one in as a lighter issue). All issues great and small will be solved and surpassed with other issues of the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I keep three little toy birds in my backyard on the wall. The Vegas sun has bleached them almost to not being recognized. I guess it is almost time to replace them. I keep them there to remind me of Bob\u2019s song and the concept of \u201cdon\u2019t worry\u201d to get through every day. It is simple, melodic, and calming, going straight to the soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Being of Jamaican birth, naturally I might be and, in fact, I am inspired and motivated by the words and songs of the legendary, late Bob Marley. One of his most famous songs is entitled the same name of this essay; that is \u201cThree Little Birds.\u201d The song was released in 1977 on his album … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/methode-times-prod-web-bin-4c3ea66e-823e-11e9-bb89-165499dc1684.jpg\")
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DG<\/p>\n\n\n\n