“To gain knowledge for the future, demands wisdom of the past.”
💖Welcome to the Sankofa Newsletter Blog!
The word Sankofa originates from the Twi language of the Akan tribe of Ghana, West Africa. It means “go back and get it.” The Akan people believe the past and the future are eternally intertwined and any pursuit of knowledge must demonstrate this understanding.
The Sankofa Newsletter is a mini-guide to culture and news. A monthly publication that features four articles to inspire, enlighten, and stimulate intellectual curiosity. Get a free copy delivered to your email inbox today. Share, Like, Subscribe. Happy Reading! LaSheba Baker, Creator & Editor
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September 2019 Edition
Culture & News
Ethiopian Jews
The land of Ethiopia has diverse religious beliefs that include Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and indigenous spirituality practices. There are references to the Ethiopians in biblical history, such as the highway encounter between Philip the evangelist and an Ethiopian eunuch-treasurer in service to the Candace Queen of Ethiopia. This meeting led to the treasurer’s baptism by Philip (KJV Acts 8:26-40).
The origin of Ethiopian Jews is based on two main points of view 1.) they are the lost Hebrew tribe of Dan or 2.) they are the descendants of King Solomon of ancient Israel and the Queen of Sheba. Most Ethiopians claim this queen as their own and through her son Menelik, fathered by Solomon, established a legendary dynastic rule. Ethiopian texts refer to her name as “Makeda.” The Bible speaks of her: “And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions” (KJV 1 Kings 10:1). Admittedly, I favor the second point of view as this queen and the land she ruled was the biblical inspiration for my own name. There is some geo-historical rivalry with Yemen who also claim this queen. However, it is quite possible her ancient kingdom included both present day Ethiopia and Yemen.
During the 1980s civil war and famine swept through Ethiopia. Many Ethiopian Jews fled to Sudanese refugee camps to escape persecution and hunger. From there they were secretly air-lifted out of Sudan by the first of three Israeli government evacuation programs dedicated to their plight called Operation Moses (1984). They were transported to Israel to begin their new lives. Now, over thirty years later the Ethiopian-Israeli community has made some positive social-political gains but cries of racism in the Holy Land have also been evident.
Penina Tamanu-Shata is a former journalist, attorney, and the first Ethiopian-Israeli woman to be elected to the Knesset Parliament. At the age of three she was transported to Israel by Operation Moses. She has an impressive resume and is working to combat discrimination and racism in Israel through various political avenues. See the I-24 news video of her posted at the end of this newsletter.
Queen of Sheba’s gold found by archaeologists
Penina Tamanu-Shata, Knesset Member
In Israel, police shooting of an Ethiopian Jew prompts a Black Lives Matter moment in Israel
Likud MK calls Ethiopian lawmaker a “token immigrant”
Art/Film News
Brown Mama Monologues
Muffy Mendoza is an author, speaker, mom of three boys, homeschooler, and founder of the Brown Mama Monologues. This monologue series features ten African-American moms who share their motherhood experiences in front of a live audience. Created in 2018 as an annual event hosted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to promote inclusion of the diversity of African-American mothers’ stories into the rich tapestry of colorful narratives. If you are interested in showing off your talent, know auditions begin in September. Visit the website for more information www.brownmamamonologues.com And buy Muffy’s book “The Brown Mama Mindset: A Blueprint for Black Moms on Life, Love and Home” directly at her website www.brownmamas.com
Watch news clip here “Brown Mama Monologues’ Celebrates Black Motherhood”
Watch monologue video clip here “Me & The Full Negro Baby” by Leann Shaw-Younger
Business News
Trap Kitchen
Each of us have a gift whether it be in art, music, teaching, or being a good friend. That gift remains ours even if we use it in a way beneath its righteous intent. Malachi Jenkins and Roberto Smith are the owners of the pop-up restaurant sensation Trap Kitchen and authors of a best selling cookbook. But five years ago they were rival gang members in Compton involved in selling drugs. Whether it be chance or fate, one day they were low on funds and decided to sell home-cooked food to the community. It was an instant success! They already had the gift of understanding business, marketing, and distribution. Now they have the rewards of the righteous path as well.
Rival gang members turned chefs serve hungry fans in San Francisco
Book Review
Blue Mind
Wallace J. Nichols is a marine biologist who studies the interaction of water activities and its effect on the brain. He explores this connection in the book: Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do (2014). He promotes the positive benefits of water on the body and mind. The book includes research findings, personal stories, and the function of neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change its neural system, which by the way can have positive or negative effects). Nichols writes: “…What if we could treat stress, addiction, autism, PTSD, and other ills with surfing or fishing? What if your doctor handed you a prescription for stress or ill health that read, “Take two waves, a beach walk, and some flowing river, and call me in the morning?” (p. 141). Blue Mind is the idea that our meditative relationship with water encourages peace, calmness, and happiness. And that’s a prescription worthy of unlimited refills.
“Blue Mind” Why being near the water makes you happy
Video
Penina Tamanu-Shata, Knesset Member Interview on i-24 News on YouTube
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