Dear Editor,

More than a century after the Obeah Act of 1898 made the practice illegal, Obeah remains one of Jamaica’s most polarising issues.

Last week, Christian groups warned that legalising it would unleash “demonic forces” on the nation. But this passionate opposition raises a pressing question: Why do we not see similar unity when it comes to child abuse — including by men of the cloth — teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, or the epidemic of violent crime crippling communities?

The selective outrage is glaring. Indian astrologers freely advertise their services in our newspapers and on television yet no protests follow. Obeah alone is singled out, revealing how anything tied to African heritage is still viewed with suspicion.

So what is wrong with Obeah? The real issue lies in our Eurocentric mindset. We have been conditioned to see African practices as evil while embracing other traditions without scrutiny. Some even point to Haiti, claiming — without evidence — that its struggles stem from recognising Vodou. This is not only false but insulting to history’s complexity.

Obeah is part of our story. It was once a weapon of resistance against colonial masters. To erase it is to deny a legacy of survival and defiance. Yes, there are deviant practices, but Christianity itself, with over 40,000 denominations, has its share of controversies.

If we are serious about emancipation, we must stop demonising what is African and remove the stigma surrounding Afrocentric religions. Obeah should be discussed honestly, not through fear or colonial prejudice. This is about more than religion, it is about identity, history, and the freedom to see ourselves without borrowed lens.

Mikhail A Graham

mikhailgraham@yahoo.com