Happy Juneteenth Observance Day!
June 19th, 2020
“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, Blogger
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💖Sankofa Newsletter
June 2020 Edition
Culture & News
Hiester Clymer vs. James White Geary (1866)
Anti-Racism Educator
Jane Elliot is an anti-racism activist and educator who unexpectedly rose to fame after she conducted a “Blue eyes-Brown eyes” exercise on her third-grade students in the 1960s. It was the day after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and she wanted to evaluate her students understanding of racism and discrimination. Her exercise showed the children began to discriminate based on eye color as to who was inferior and superior in the classroom. Once known by the public, the exercise received both positive and negative reviews. To date, Ms. Elliot has spent forty years teaching anti-racism accountability to various audiences. She has a particular skill at confronting other White people about the system of white supremacy (also known as racism).
It is important to provide a definition and according to PBS Learning Media Lesson Plan: “…white supremacy refers to an entire system designed to maintain white economic, legal, political, and social privilege…”1 Essentially, it is a system of oppression that allows preferential treatment of a dominant power group over other groups in a society, based on caste-like beliefs related to skin color. Those with the same skin color of the dominant power group are automatically the beneficiaries of cultural capital. However, this association to the dominant power group does not make these individuals immune from personal hardships in the system of racism, nor does it mean they all will engage in acts of discrimination. Although, it is recognized others will.
Mrs. Elliot’s anti-racism method provokes accountability in the system of racism. It gives privy to include white-on-white conversations about racism, that may otherwise be concealed in mixed company.
PBS Frontline Introduction: Jane Elliot A Class Divided
(1.) PBS Learning Media Lesson: Understanding White Supremacy
FBI Warned of White Supremacists in Law Enforcement 10 Years Ago (2016)
White Nationalist Gang Charged with Directed Killings and Drug Smuggling from Prison (2019)
Library of Congress: The Two Platforms (Hiester Clymer vs. James White Geary, 1866 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Race)
Art/Film/Literature News
Why We Stay Home
The stay-at-home quarantine due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has effected the ways of life for us all, especially children. To help ease the concerns of children, I recommend the book: Why We Stay Home: Suzie Learns About Coronavirus (2020, 10 pages) by Samantha Harris, Devon Scott, and Illustrated by Harriet Rodis. This ebook is the creation of two medical students from Southern California who are passionate about children and medical education. This book is an enjoyable read that will benefit parents and children. Visit their author page to receive a free download of the book at:
Two SoCal Medical Students Create a Book to Answer Kids\’ Questions About the Pandemic
Business/Non-Profit News
Caribbean Fusion
Maxcel Hardy is a Detroit-native chef and owner of COOP Caribbean Fusion Restaurant, popular for its Char Grilled Chicken marinated in Asian and Caribbean flavors.During this Coronavirus pandemic, he understood the vulnerability of the homeless population and has provided over 20,000 meals to support the community. His efforts have been joined by other chefs, warehouses, and culinary students.
Detroit Chefs Make 20,000 Meals for Homeless Families Affected by Covid-19 Pandemic
https://www.blacknews.com/news/detroit-black-chefs-make-20000-meals-homeless-families-affected-by-covid-19-pandemic/
COOP Caribbean Fusion Restaurant
https://coopdetroit.com/
Book Review
Juneteenth Jamboree
The American Civil War (1861-1865) in which the Union Army defeated the Confederacy and this victory brought chattel slavery to a subsequent end. The news of freedom for the enslaved population in Texas took over two and half years to reach the ears of these unknowing liberated Africans. There are multiple reasons theorized as being the culprit for this delay, such as the slow travel of the messenger to deliver the news of freedom, to slave holders keeping silent to reap another crop harvest. Juneteenth refers to the time when the news of freedom was finally received. On June 19th, 1980 the state of Texas made Juneteenth a legal holiday.
You can explore the history and celebration of Juneteenth in the book:
Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford and Yvonne Buchanan (1995, 24 pages). The main character Cassandra, learns about this important piece of history from her family as they prepare a glorious feast and attend a celebratory parade. “She [Cassandra] imagined slave families celebrating their newfound freedom, jumping, shouting, laughing, and crying, their spirits taking wing like birds released from cages” (p. 22). This is a cute book to teach and inspire remembrance of Juneteenth for children and grown-ups.
Texas State Library & Archives Commission: Juneteenth
What is Juneteenth? The Story Behind this Texas-based Holiday (2018)
Video (2)
Jane Elliot “When Whites Get Confronted About White Supremacy” on YouTube
Jane Elliot “White People Scared” on YouTube
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