Spring Break
Weed advocates aren't socially minded
STEPHEN HELEKER
Opinion Writer
Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: Opinion
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I wasn't surprised to see men and women in the crowd smoking weed. Not only was that illegal, but also inconsiderate to others in the crowd. The presence of drug users was probably partly because of the protest, but mostly due simply to the nature of The Wailers' music and politics. Bob Marley and The Wailers fans sang along to almost every song, the lyrics about love for others. It was one of the most disappointing things I have ever seen.
I'm not here to talk about how bad pot is, I've done that enough. What I would like to address is the fact that so many people talk about action and change but do nothing. A recent example of this is the march to legalize marijuana that I mentioned earlier. Marching down to the Capitol when the legislature is not in session, or down to City Hall on a Saturday, when no one is there and the city does not have the authority to legalize or illegalize substances, is not political or social action. It is a publicity stunt, and nothing more.
Then, look at the Wailers. They sing songs about love, enlightenment, world vision and change; yet seem to do little to further such ideas. I took a look at their merchandise, expecting to find responsibly manufactured apparel. Instead, I found tags that told me the clothes had been made in Haiti, Honduras, Taiwan and Jordan. These are some of the poorest nations in the world, especially the former two, and none of them are unionized.
This means that it is very likely that these clothes were manufactured in sweatshops, as was the Nike outfit the bass player was wearing. "Go Green!" one shirt read, with a cannabis leaf covering the chest. And yet after searching through the Wailers' Website, their Myspace account, and any other literature available on the band, I found not one connection with any environmental organization. In fact, as far as I can tell, the band does not give to, serve or even support and publicize even one environmental, social or political organization. Keep in mind that this band makes more than $20,000 for every show they play. And yet they sing about love and change, in the name of God.
It all seems hypocritical to me. If you use songs and slogans about changing the world, but instead use your popularity to become wealthy, then you don't love anyone but yourself.
It's the same with all these young activists. If your only platform is the legalization of marijuana, in a world full of so much turmoil and suffering, then you have missed the point completely. You're just patting yourself on the back.
And then you compromise even that platform in order to maybe get a little publicity. You'll get on television hopefully, but probably only in the newspaper, maybe even just The Arbiter.
Maybe I just don't understand what they are trying to accomplish, but it seems that our nation is heading nowhere if this is our next generation of activists.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Towson Student
posted 5/12/08 @ 2:11 PM MST
And you stephen, what are you doing? just complaining...you are doing less than what the people are doing in the article you wrote about. What have YOU done to make the world a better place? Just criticize other people? I smoke pot, and I don't think I should be arrested for doing so. (Continued…)
Rene
posted 5/12/08 @ 2:27 PM MST
I am from Haiti and Happy to hear that their shirts come from there we need the work not the unions thank you.
Celeste
posted 5/12/08 @ 8:53 PM MST
Stephen, while I respect your opinion, I must politely disagree with your assertions. First, to universally stereotype all marijuana users as lazy sounds more like an ignorant rant of bias rather than an intelligent point about marijuana activism. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 5/13/08 @ 9:33 AM MST
Spoken like a true crank, Stephen.
Kirk
posted 5/16/08 @ 12:13 PM MST
I would like to know how much about the history of the Wailers that you may be aware of. They were a big part of the a movement that inspired many. I would make an argument that it is much more than you have done in the name of peace, love, and support for others in less fortunate circumstances. (Continued…)
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