💖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
Culture & News
A Time of Justice?
The year of 2020 has been a time of considerable social-political turmoil in the United States accompanied by the Covid-19 pandemic. The concept of justice may at times appear elusive in society. But when one considers the biblical perspective of justice, it is eternally on the mind of the Lord- the Most High. The Bible states in Psalm 47:2 (KJ21): “For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.” This psalm illustrates the dominion of the Lord is over every people, every nation, and everything. Fore this world is his creation. The Lord, at will, can execute justice, vengeance, and judgement. However, this does not absolve humanity from not practicing justice upon the earth.
According to theological educator Dr. Chris Marshall, in his book: The Little Book of Biblical Justice (2005, 82 pages, kindle edition). “Justice is satisfied by repentance, restoration, and renewal. Punishment serves as a mechanism for helping to promote such restoration” 1(p. 45). Therefore, justice has both requirements and consequences. Dr. Marshall also speaks on the Lord’s jurisdiction: “ It compels them [biblical writers] to announce God’s judgement on the evil deeds of all nations, not just Israel. All nations are answerable to God, for God will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity (Habakkuk 1:13, compare with Malachi 2:17)” 2 (p. 23). The Lord maintains the highest law on the behavior of humankind through his word and authority.
Bibliography:
(1, 2) Marshall, Chris. The Little Book of Biblical Justice. Pennsylvania: Good Books, 2005. Kindle edition. (p. 45, 23).
Wista Johnson: The Price of Protest: The High (but inevitable) Cost
https://www.wistajohnson.com/blog/the-price-of-protest-a-high-but-inevitable-cost
Chicago Tribune: A Puzzling Number of Men Tied to the Ferguson Protests Have Since Died (2019)
Atlanta Black Star: Tamir Rice’s Mother Voices Utter Disappointment in Obama’s Stance on Police Brutality (2016)
The Washington Post: “Lock Them Up”: My Double Standard in Responding to the Crack Crisis vs. the Opioid Epidemic (2017)
ABC Chicago 7 News: Mexico Cartels Now Fuel Deadly Chicago Opioid Epidemic (2018)
https://abc7chicago.com/mexico-cartels-now-fuel-deadly-chicago-opioid-epidemic/4605627/
WUSA 9 News: Black-on-Black Crime Talk is Misdirection By Opponents
New York Magazine: The White and Black Murder Rates Are Both Rising, But For Different Reasons (2018)
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/01/the-white-and-black-murder-rates-are-both-rising.html
Mother Jones: A Former FBI Whistleblower Explains Why the Federal Government is Failing on Domestic Terrorism-And How to Fix It (2019)
The Washington Times: 17th Woman Joins FBI Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against FBI’s Quantico Training Academy
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/feb/3/17th-woman-joins-fbi-sexual-harassment-lawsuit/
The Daily Beast: Former Department of Homeland Security Official Tied to White Nationalists (2018)
NPR: DHS Official on Reports of Federal Officers Detaining Protesters in Portland, Oregon
The Mercury News: “Umbrella Man,” Seen on Viral Video Breaking Windows in Minneapolis, is Suspected by Police to be White Supremacist
Los Angeles Times: Paid Protesters? They’re Real-and a Beverly Hills Firm That Hires Them Stands Accused of Extortion in a Lawsuit (2018)
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-crowds-extortion-20181021-story.html?_amp=true
Art/Film/Literature News
Simone Leigh
Simone Leigh is an African-American sculptor who has an impressive body of work. It includes elegant Black women sculptures with cultural-historical elements. She has been chosen to represent the United States at the 2022 Venice Biennale (large-scale art festival) in Italy.
Art News: Sculptor Simone Leigh Picked to Represent United States at 2022 Venice Biennale
Business/Non-profit News
Treats from Heaven
South Mississippi has a new pop-up bakery called “Treats from Heaven.” The owners, Alicia Hill and Kesha Dawson, are military veterans with dessert making skills. The two decided to become entrepreneurs due to pandemic-related job instability. They offer tasty treats such as: Banana Pudding, Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Chocolate Toffee Cake, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pound Cake. The duo plan to purchase a food truck soon to help expand their business.
WLOX 13 News: Veterans Start Pop-Up Bakery in South Mississippi
https://www.wlox.com/2020/10/18/veterans-start-pop-up-bakery-south-mississippi/
Book Review
Battlesong: The Biblical Story of Deborah
The Bible has stories of women who were chosen by the Lord to be instruments of his will on human affairs. One such woman was Deborah. Learn more about this amazing woman of faith in the book: Battlesong: The Biblical Story of Deborah by Betty Natelson (2015, 131 pages, kindle edition). Deborah is Israel\’s (Hebrews) judge and prophetess who lives in Ephraim (central Canaan) with her family. The twelve tribes of Israel (monotheistic) live with oppressive conditions imposed by the Canaanites (polytheistic). The King of Megiddo controls the Hebrew population through his Canaanite commander, Sisera. However, Deborah receives a prophecy from the Lord for the Hebrews to defend themselves. She and the Hebrew military leader Barak, join forces for the coming battle. Barak realizes: “The destiny of all the Hebrews, not just his tribesmen, would be shaped by the coming battle” (kindle p. 45).
This book has good writing and an interesting plot. I appreciate the fact that the author included descriptions of the Feast of Tabernacles in Shiloh, the Kenite kinsmen, and the divisions amongst some of the tribes who adopted Canaanite gods. A very good representation!
Got Questions: Who was Deborah in the Bible?
Video (5)
“Black Panther Commentary From a Christian Worldview”
“Black Gun Ownership on the Rise in the Age of Donald Trump”
“The Destruction of the Canaanites”
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