Saint Peter of Westmoreland at 70

Lessons in my Life - Mystic Man  of Westmoreland at 70 – October 19, 1944- October 19, 2014

“My lifestyle can never change, no matter how much money I make. I’ll get more aggressive against imperialism, that’s the only change.  More aggressive against the system, because the system’s only set up to victimize, exploit, kill, brutalize, and do everything that’s degrading . . . ”  - Peter Tosh (1944-1987) December 16, 1978, Rolling Stones Records, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York City, Stepping Razor - The Life of Peter Tosh: page 240.

Peter Tosh may have been a Christ.  Peter Tosh may have been a Messiah. Then again Peter Tosh may have been neither a Christ nor a Messiah. Certainly, not   in the accepted organized religious systems of economic culture of beliefs of western societies. Peter Tosh was most certainly denigrated, maligned, prosecuted and violated as any of the known Christs and Messiahs. Peter Tosh was beyond the shadow of doubt a messenger of truth of a most ancient peoples of the most ancient of times. Music was his weapon. He was most proficient and memorable with the guitar and his vocals. Keyboards, mouth-organ and percussions also complemented and comprised the weaponry in his arsenal.  His messages were flavored with the gospels of Rastafari. The messages, simply said, transcended physical characteristics, religious and geopolitical boundaries. His messages were steeped in his belief systems of humanity, reality and spirituality. His were motivated by his understanding of the concept of and for the greatest good of man and indeed all of creation. Although, Tosh championed the plight of the underprivileged working classes and aboriginal peoples everywhere upon creation; of course, perhaps, he is best remembered for his most uncompromising advocacy for the legalization of cannabis sativa (marijuana), universally.  The spontaneity of his wordplay and his profanity laced speeches are as creative and attention grabbing then as they are now legendary. None will ever forget peter tosh reputedly coined “crime minister”  as a true representation of the office of head of state – the Prime Minister. Thus the idea that membership of the legislative arm, and indeed all phases of government was documented as criminals and/or enemies of the people for posterity.

Fortunately for humans who were not privileged to experience the legendary in the flesh, there are numerous video recordings of his performances, which demonstrates the accolades were deserving yet inadequate. Video recordings confirm and bear witness of the magnetism, consciousness, seriousness and the sincerity Peter Tosh espoused.  Tosh is probably the first artist to smoke herbs on stage, during a public performance in a major arena.  Considered, a blessed sacrament, Peter Tosh was the leading crusader for the freedom of smoking Marijuana legally in every society known to man.  Some twenty seven (27) years after his departure, a number of States in the USA has enacted laws permitting the usage of marijuana for medical purposes and other limitations. However, humans are still hunted, caught, trapped and sent to various industrial prison complex in western societies. Prison colonies are full of people convicted of petty crimes. The department of corrections have millions of underprivileged working class people under its control and/or supervision. Moreover, no nation in the Americas and Africa has legalized the smoking of marijuana. In the Caribbean, Rasta people are still looked down upon by the other classes of the societies. Law enforcement authorities still perpetuated the agenda of criminalizing and violating their physical components.  It is known Marijuana was legally consumed up to 1924 by the masses in the colony of British Guiana. Yet, 48 years after the European left the location the emergent bourgeoisie has failed to correct that situation. Guyanese are still criminalized since May 26, 1966 as they were between 1924 and 1966 for the possession of marijuana and other petty acts. It seems to me New Zealand is the leading light in the struggle for absolute legalization of ganja. There is a political party which focuses on enacting legislation for freeing society.

On Sunday, October 19, 2014, the autochthon christened with European names Winston Hubert McIntosh would have been seventy (70) years old. I and I put it to you. It’s not too difficult to image.   At this stage, were, he in the physical realm of existence, the conscious fire-branding truth warrior would have surrendered to Nature. Bunny Wailer is exhibit number one. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are exhibit number two. Muhammad Ali is exhibit number three. None of those mentioned are as fiery as they were during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.  

As great as the Wailers were it would be unrealistic to expect they would command the same attention in this current times as they did in their heydays. It is also very difficult for anyone to imagine either Peter Tosh or Bob Marley appearing on any program as a novelty act. Clearly, Bunny Wailer, is adamant against such scenarios.  It is thus reasonable to conclude Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer were not into absolute nostalgia.  Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer regularly breathed fresh life into a number of pieces they created.  Even a casual observer of the Wailers’ musical catalogue would realize tunes, for example, Dreamland, made in the 1960s, re-emerged in the 1970s and even were revitalized in the 1980s.  I further testify I have not heard better harmonies that those reproduced by Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. While Bob Marley was as fine a lyricist as any in the history of popular music Peter Tosh was as talented a musician as any recording artist ever.

It seems to me, Peter Tosh, most uncompromising public posture makes him comparable to Olufela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997) as the most victimized of the musical truth warriors, certainly, during the twentieth century. The departure of Peter Tosh only six years after the transition of Bob Marley was a terrible blow to the production and promotion of black conscious messages in reggae music.  The researcher, John Potash, listed Bob Marley amongst the victims of FBI covert operations in his 2008 publication, “The FBI War on Tupac Shakur and Black leaders.”    One wonders at the major reason why peter Tosh was assassinated in September 1987.   Frankly, the given reasons does not suffice. Timothy White’s biography of Bob Marley, titled, “Catch a Fire” is not explicit on the departures of Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, relative to forces beyond Jamaica.  I absolutely believe the departures of Tosh and Marley were in compliance of demands and/or requests extended by the Khazarain Ashkenazi Zionists to the government of Jamaica.  Timothy White and John Masouri exhibit contrasting accounts relative to the interactions of the wailers and their associates. Description of the behavior of Peter Tosh and Rita Anderson towards each other is a perfect example.

One also wonders who wrote numerous songs in the Wailers’ arsenal.  John Masouri produced the major biography of Peter Tosh. Masouri failed to enlighten respecting the definitive writer of “Get Up Stand Up” and “Burial”. I believe Peter Tosh wrote “Get Up Stand Up”. Bob Marley edited Tosh’s attempt. Bunny Wailer wrote Burial. Also, it seems Laurel Atkins, Eric ‘Monty’ Morris, Joe Higgs and Jerry Butler are the major influences of Tosh’s vocalizing.  I need to know and not believe.  Recordings such as the following; Oh Bumbo Klaat, Legalize it,  Whatcha gonna do, Burial, Till your well runs dry, Why must I cry, Bush Doctor, Buckingham Palace, Equal Rights, Mystic Man, No Nuclear War, Nah Goa Jail, Guide Me From My Friends, No Sympathy, 400 Years, You Can’t Blame the Youths, Lessons in my Life, I Am That I Am, Apartheid, Creation, Mama Africa, African, Nothing But Love and The Day The Dollar Die, will ensure as long as humans are marginalized, oppressed and victimized Peter Tosh will never ever be forgotten.  Artists such as Gramps Morgan, Morgan Heritage, Lucky Dube, Anthony B, Bushman, Luciano, Andrew Tosh, Bunny Wailer and the Rolling Stones have paid tribute in their recordings. His legacy is secure. Peter Tosh is indeed a champion of suffering peoples, period. I and I testify, that is the summary of the legacy of the Mystic Man, Peter Tosh (1944-1987) PBUH.

Lessons in my Life - Mystic Man, Saint Peter of Westmoreland at 70 – October 19, 1944- October 19, 2014