The Meaning of 'One Love'

I started researching the Rastafari religion because i've always enjoyed reggae music, especially the music of Bob Marley. Bob Marley was one of my original ideas for a research topic, but I decided I knew too much about him already. This first post is about one of his songs though "One Love." In the book i'm reading right now From Garvey to Marley: Rastafari Theology it discusses the origin of the phrase I'm sure Bob Marley is referencing in the song One Love. Marcus Garvey is quoted in the book saying "One God! One Aim! One Destiny!" as the motto for the organization he created, the Universal Negro Improvement Association. It was this phrase encouraging African-Jamaicans and Africans all over the world to look to Africa together for support and pride that inspired the Rastafarian religion. The one God is in reference to looking towards Ethiopia for religious pride as its mentioned in the Old Testament. Pslam 68:31, "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God." The one aim is Marcus Garvey's goal of building up Africa economically, and the one destiny is his goal of prosperity and success throughout the African nations. In Marley's song you can hear the One theme over and over again as he asks God for forgiveness for those sinners and gives his own praise to God. The idea of ONE is constantly referenced in the Rastafarian religion, as it encourages Africans to unite together for strength and unity. Its no surprise as Marcus Mosiah Garvey is thought to be a holy prophet in the Rastafarian religion.

One Love: On youtube.