Black History Month - confronting colonial shadows

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Black History Month reminds us of Marcus Garvey’s timeless warning: “ A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Knowing our history is essential, for only then can we grasp the present and see, for instance, how big powers – often manipulative – continue to shape it. Two recent examples highlight this truth: the ongoing strangulation of Cuba and the lingering denigration of obeah in Jamaica.”

Like Haiti before it, Cuba has sought genuine self-determination. Yet, big power has imposed economic deprivation, punishing Cuba for daring to chart its own course. Our nearest neighbours, Haiti and Cuba, have paid dearly for their independence, facing relentless efforts to subjugate them. In their hours of need, we must not forget them.

Closer to home, last April, a man was convicted under Jamaica’s Obeah Act, a colonial law dating back to 1760 after Takyi’s uprising in St Mary. The British deliberately branded obeah as evil, not out of morality, but as a calculated strategy to suppress African identity, weaken resistance, and criminalise practices that gave enslaved communities strength. Disturbingly, some pastors argue the law should remain, echoing colonial distortions that demonise African spirituality. They even claim Haiti suffers because of Voudon, ignoring the true cause: the crushing debt imposed by France in 1825 as punishment for Haiti’s revolution. Haiti’s uprising, fuelled in part by Voudon, defeated Napoleon’s army and created the first free black republic, a triumph of resilience, not a curse. The United States’ occupation of Haiti has also left a legacy of profound disruption, undermining the nation’s sovereignty and contributing to long-term social and economic challenges.

Obeah, like other faith traditions, uses ritual elements to connect with the divine. To sanctify incense or holy water while criminalising African practices is hypocrisy rooted in colonial bias. Repealing the obeah law would not endorse harm; it would affirm Jamaica’s independence from colonial prejudice and honour African heritage.

To truly honour Black History Month, Jamaica must confront these shadows. Embracing African traditions, rejecting outdated laws, and standing in solidarity with nations like Cuba are essential steps toward dignity and freedom. Only then can we claim our roots and rise.

ANDREA BARNES

Barnesandrea433@gmail.com