“ Saltness” in my eyes is  a monstrous abyss  and a conduit of inevitability. Well, that is what I use to think of it. I use to feel that life was already shaped, mapped or predestined   and that tragedy may  have been entwined in it. I have not really changed my stance, but it has been altered a bit.

Being “salt” definitely means experiencing tragedies, or bad luck on a day to day basis. For some people it is known as “the system set a way.” Therefore he or she can never overcome the system.

This is just the mental picture that my cerebrum had conjured over the years.  I can’t tell you of the many times that I have seen person’s homes being twisted lifeless by familial predicaments and catastrophes.  A salt dem salt suh? Unfortunately, many have blamed the presence of spirits and have sworn that they have been “obeahed” by their nemesis. Then after which they journey to the obeah house.

The obeah man then has his succinct jabbers with evil spirits and points out the perpetrator. The oil of retribution and the powder of “ketch dem back” is given to the victim to make some vengeful combat. The victim sets out on his way, while leaving the warlock to swim in “manleys. ”

So is this obeah, “saltness” or was it really a poor decision? It has been a trend to hear people blame most bad occurrences on obeah. . For instance, in 2013 my cousin died and his cause of was obeah (according to most of his family).

Dear readers, personally I think that some of our poor decisions result in tragedy.  First of all, what is tragedy? According to the Oxford dictionary tragedy is an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe.

Next, let us look at whether tragedies can be avoided. In my opinion, some can and some can’t. For instance the effects of some natural disasters can’t truly be avoided. Then again, you can prepare yourself to avoid several risks.

Here’s another example, a car careening from the roadways and killing all occupants can be linked to the poor decision of the driver. If Mr. “steerer” was under the influence or speeding then can we classify this happening as an avoidable tragedy? Well I can safely say that poor decisions lead to tragedies. You know how it goes; life is made up of a series of choices. We either make right ones or we don’t. Additionally, many times we use puerile excuses instead of fighting   for what we want. Let’s not forget that life is full of challenges for everyone.  We are not salt when we run into a series of them. The most successful people in the world have had to counter tragedies, both avoidable and unavoidable. Jamaicans are fighters. “None a wi nuh salt.”