💖A Year of Book Reviews (2020)

Book Reviews (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

Book Reviews (2020)

January 2020

Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible

William Dwight McKissic, Sr., provides biblical and spiritual identity to the African diaspora in his book: Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible (1990 & 2017, 76 pages). As a retired school teacher and pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, he gracefully presents the information with ease in a short, concise, and fulfilling manner. He asserts knowledge of biblical ethnicity is an important responsibility to those who are preachers and evangelists, a key component in Christian education, and needed to combat ignorance in race relations.

He covers multiple topics that include: Noah and his three sons (Ham, Shem, Japeth), ancient biblical nations and their descendants, Christianity in Ethiopia, and Islam. He writes: “The descendants of Ham led very advanced civilizations that predate Semitic and Jophetic civilizations by at least two thousand years, which may explain the reluctance of some scholars to identify the ancient Egyptians, Canaanites, Libyans and sometimes even the Ethiopians with the modern day negro… However, the only biblical heritage that some Blacks have been taught is the so-called “curse of Ham” (p. 29). He also reminds the reader: “Ethiopia is the oldest Christian country on the face of the Earth…” (p.50). And “The Bible was translated from Greek to Geez, the native Ethiopian language, in the fourth and fifth centuries by Syrian and Ethiopian scholars…” (p.66). Pastor McKissic has done excellent work in this book and receives additional praise for doing so in a short-length read. Not an easy task. This book definitely belongs in your home library whether you are a believer, historian, or just curious.

February 2020

The East African Slave Trade

There appears to be more popular understanding about the Transatlantic Slave Trade that brought enslaved Africans to the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. In comparison, the East African Slave Trade, existed for nearly a thousand years before the forced transatlantic migration and was facilitated by Arab nations. The book: The East African Slave Trade: The History and Legacy of the Arab Slave Trade and Indian Ocean Slave Trade (2017 Kindle Edition, 76 pages) by Charles River Editors provides a general overview of this practice.

In the book, the Arab enslavement of Africans required them to work in agricultural positions, military, domestic roles, and as eunuchs and concubines. There were some legal protections for the enslaved and potential avenues to exit slavery. These supposed safeguards lead some to believe Islamic slavery was humane and the book addresses this interpretation: “…Islamic slavery, for those that chose to view it as such, was relatively humane, and it could not be outlawed at the simple stroke of a pen without interfering with ancient and revered conventions of religion and culture. It was seen often as a cultural practice intrinsic to Arabic society…”(p. 56). A set challenge to this belief is that any act of brutality irrespective of severity, at its core is still a brutality.

The reader should be aware that the main perspective of this book subscribes to a type of European worldview in which the accomplishments of adventurers, missionaries, and the diplomatic negotiations/treaties of their countries are the main focus. There are very brief descriptions about the actual enslaved Africans and their plight in this particular worldview. For example, the Zanj Rebellion (869 C.E – 883 C.E., 9th century) was a slave revolt that occurred close to modern day Iraq is only briefly mentioned and not much background information is given in terms of how these slaves and freedmen executed such an attack. Even their names are absent. In all fairness, this book is not promoted as a comprehensive review but it still remains myopic in the study of enslaved Africans themselves. The book is well-written, informative, and can serve as a reference guide to seek out other texts for additional knowledge.

March 2020
Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers

Harriet Powers (October 29,1837-January 1,1910) was a wife, mother, and skilled artist of the sewing needle. She created story quilts that told of biblical stories, celestial events, and local legends. Learn more about her in the book, Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers’ Journey from Slave to Artist by Barbara Herkert and Vanessa Brantley-Newton (2015, 40 pages). Author Herkert describes the enslaved women who taught a young Harriet: “In the evening, the women gathered together and cut flour sacks and worn clothes into suns and moons and stars, lions, birds, and elephants for appliquéd cloth legends of Mother Africa…”(p. 5).

Born into slavery on a Georgia plantation, Harriet learned the ways of sewing and quilting. After the American Civil War, she and her husband purchased a small cotton farm. The family struggled with poverty throughout their lives but Harriet received much praise for her gift- a maker of beautiful story quilts. Today, two of her story quilts are on display at the National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institution) and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. This book has an engaging story-line and cute illustrations to capture the imagination of both children and adults. Happy National Quilting Day!

April 2020

Turnip Greens & Tortillas

Eddie Hernandez is a self-proclaimed “burned-out Mexican rock ‘n’ roll guy” turned chef and restaurant owner. His cookbook: Turnip Greens & Tortillas: A Mexican Chef Spices Up The Southern Kitchen (2018, 320 pages) celebrates the fusion of American Southern and Mexican cuisines into mouth-watering recipes to serve at your own table. He provides some history of traditional Mexican food, tales of his spunky entrepreneur-grandmother “Chelo”, and the path that lead to his “baptism by potlikker.”

These recipes are sure to delight your taste-buds and are written in an easy-going, slow southern style (all pun intended). You can try exciting dishes such as: Creole Red Beans & Rice Burritos, Eddie’s Pork with Roasted Jalapeno Gravy, Stone-Ground Grits with Chiles, and Sautéed Snapper with Cilantro Roasted Pecan Pesto. This union of two great food styles leaves only one thing to say, “Este matrimonio es bueno.”

May 2020

The Sound of the FireBreed Generation

Reverend Ezekiella Samamaga-Eniola has been a pastor in the U.K., U.S.A., and her native land of Nigeria. She holds degrees in Divinity and Marketing/Strategic Communication. In her powerful book: The Sound of the FireBreed Generation (# Kingdom Takeover) (2019, 74 pages), she censures the modern church for its carnality and idolatry and sets forth a call for repentance, study of the Word, use of the Holy Spirit, and the power of today’s youth in the establishment of Kingdom.

Rev. Eniola writes: “The first Pentecost that the church experienced in the book of Acts set a wave of revival across the nations of the earth and unleashed a move of the spirit that no demon or government could overturn; but in every generation when it looks as if the church of Jesus falls asleep…God always raises voices to bring an awakening back to the church” (kindle location 116). This book is a spirit-filled passionate outcry for the church and a message worthy of exaltation. Happy Pentecost Observance Day!

**Side-note: See the January 2020 Edition for the book review of: Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible by Pastor William McKissic, Sr., who reminds the reader: “Ethiopia is the oldest Christian country on the face of the Earth…” (p.50). And “The Bible was translated from Greek to Geez, the native Ethiopian language, in the fourth and fifth centuries by Syrian and Ethiopian scholars…” (p.66).

June 2020

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.

July 2020

Autobiography of a Freedom Rider

Thomas Armstrong was born to an African-American land owning family in Lucas, Mississippi. The town has roots that date back to the 1870s when a first generation of Freedmen settled there after the Civil War. He lived during the Jim Crow era and recounts his experience in the book: Autobiography of a Freedom Rider: My Life as a Foot Soldier for Civil Rights by Thomas M. Armstrong and Natalie R. Bell (2011, 208 pages). He participated (1958-1963) in the Civil Rights Movement as a Freedom Rider who challenged the segregation of interstate travel.

He was arrested for these activities and witnessed acts of inhumanity by those White southerners who were determined to maintain the racist system. He writes: “Most of the Freedom Riders were ordinary people, many of them college students, as well as clergymen of various faiths and labor leaders…”(page 101). The Civil Rights Movement drove the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which “outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, or national origin.” This informative book provides the perspective of an activist engaged on the front lines.

August 2020

Sink or Swim

Richard Etheridge (1842-1900) was born into slavery, served in the Union Army and was promoted from Surfman to Keeper in the U.S. Lifesaving Service. He managed the all-black crew of Pea Island Station, North Carolina. Learn more about this lesser known piece of American history in the book: Sink or Swim: African-American Lifesavers of the Outer Banks by Carole Boston Weatherford (1999, 81 pages).

The author, Weatherford writes: “Richard Etheridge and his crew had fought the stormy sea and won. But, unlike white lifesavers who were honored for less heroic rescues, the Pea Island crew received no medals for risking their lives…The crewmen became local legends. African-American boys on Roanoke Island dreamed of becoming lifesavers when they grew up” (p. 57-58). In March 1996, these forgotten heroes received from the U.S. Coast Guard the high honor of the Gold Lifesaving Metal. Their descendants were in attendance at the ceremony. The heroic deeds of these brave men showcased in this book will inspire middle-school readers and adults alike.

September 2020

Catriona’s War

Catriona is young woman of the 1940s, who is ready to make her mark in the world. She’s boarding school trained, trilingual, and headstrong. But life in Nazi-controlled Europe has its own hardships and dangers. When her foreign correspondent father goes missing, a chance meeting offers an unexpected opportunity to save him and maybe even her countrymen. Find out more about her in the historical fiction book: Catriona’s War by Jean Grainger (2019, 105 pages).Catriona speaks on the Nazi occupation of France: “You can’t blame them though, can you? The French are proud people, and it’s humiliating to be occupied” (kindle p.62). This short story book has an excellent plot, good writing style, and interesting characters. A great reading experience.“Vive la France,” she whisphered…”(kindle p.74).

October 2020

Oven Baked Secrets

Eugeena Patterson is a retired school teacher, blogger, widow, and grandmother. She has super snoop skills that lead to a life changing discovery. Her faithful sidekick Mr. Amos is not a gentleman-friend, he’s just a friend, of which she adamantly tells everyone. Find out more in the book: Oven Baked Secrets (A Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book #2) by Tyora Moody (2015,162 pages, kindle edition).“What exactly are you up to, Mama? You’re not snooping around are you?” (kindle p. 62). This cozy mystery book has a great plot, good writing, and a cast of memorable characters. Definitely plan to read more of this series.

November 2020

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 leaderBarak, 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!

December 2020

Addy’s Surprise: A Christmas Story

The Christmas season has arrived in Philadelphia (1864). Addy and her mother are celebrating for the first time as freedmen. They have modest means but an abundance of love for each other and their absent family members. Addy learns the true meaning of Christmas in the book: Addy’s Surprise: A Christmas Story (1993, 65 pages, The American Girls Collection) by Connie Porter. Addy wants to purchase her mother a special holiday gift with her growing savings. She’s also inspired by Rev. Drake at the Trinity A.M.E. Church: “Many church members were there to help serve food to the freedmen. Addy remembered how happy she and Momma had been in this same place, eating their first warm meal in freedom on their first day in Philadelphia”(p. 32). Addy comes to a dilemma between a gift for her mother and the plight of the freedmen. How will the spirit of Christmas manifest in this situation? Read this charming story to find out!