April 2021 Edition

 

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

😊 Note: For email subscribers, you can click the blue title at the top “Edition” to connect directly to the web blog. This may provide a better copy to read.

 

The Royal Family

 

History proves the existence of a monarchy in many cultural societies around the globe. Their tribulations, talents, weddings, and power struggles captures a fair share of the populace as an audience. The West African nation of Ghana has a long-standing monarchy known as the Ashanti (Asante) Royal Family. According to Business Insider (2017): “Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16th King of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana…head of the Ashanti royal house of Oyoko…The King also owns an extensive real estate in Ghana and South Africa as well as a collection of valuable gold crown jewels.” ¹ Several African monarchies have constitutional recognition and privileges.

The women of Ghanaian royalty have many accomplishments under their crowns. Princess Asie Ocansey is an evangelist, humanitarian, and trained engineer. She participated in the “Year of Return 2019” by inviting four-hundred African-American couples to wed or renew their vows in Ghana. Princess Akosua Busia (“Nettie” from the 1985 movie: The Color Purple) is an actress, novelist, and co-founder of the human rights organization Busia Foundation International (BFI). In 2016, Princess Nana Akyiaa married Aminu Abubakar, the son of Nigeria’s former Vice President. The celebration photos show a beautiful white wedding gown and cultural dresses in the vibrant colors of yellow and red. Not to be outdone, there is a lovely matching yellow scarf and handsome Kente cloth attire for the groom. The Ghanaian royal family demonstrates history, intelligence, elegance, and community service.

 

 

Business Insider: The 4 Richest Kings in Africa (2017)

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-4-richest-kings-in-africa-2017-10

Black News.com: Ghanaian Princess Launches Historic Traditional African Return of the Royals Wedding in Denver, Colorado (2019)

https://www.blacknews.com/news/princess-asie-ocansey-historic-traditional-african-return-denver-colorado/

Princess Akosua Busia Short Biography

http://www.akosuabusia.net/short-bio

Opera News Ghana: Photos of Otumfour’s Daughter Who Got Married to the Son of the Former Vice President of Nigeria (2020)

https://gh.opera.news/gh/en/politics/amp/6420b3fec8be9c7a2ca3ac18389ad528

Princess Asie Ocansey Biography

https://www.princessasieocansey.org/about/biography

Rain Queens of Africa: The Queen Mother and the Golden Stool of Ashanti (2011)

http://rainqueensofafrica.com/2011/03/the-queen-mother-and-the-golden-stool-of-ashanti/

The Guardian: Prince Charles says Britain’s Role in the Slave Trade was an Atrocity (2018)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/05/prince-charles-says-britains-part-in-transatlantic-slave-trade-was-atrocity

Business Insider: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are Reportedly Cousins, According to their Family Tree (2017)

https://www.businessinsider.com/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-are-cousins-2017-10

Bibliography:

(1) Frimpong, Desmond. “The 4 richest kings in Africa.” Business Insider Sub Saharan Africa. 2017. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-4-richest-kings-in-africa-2017-10

Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal Official Trailer, Netflix Channel on YouTube

 

 

Business/Non-Profit News

Piggy Bank

Black News.com: 7 Year-Old Releases Catchy Song Teaching Financial Responsibility, Raps About Not Owing Rapper 50 Cent Money (2020)

https://www.blacknews.com/news/super-kennedy-oneal-7-year-old-rapper-piggy-bank-song-teaching-financial-responsibility/

Book Review

 

How the Left Destroyed the Western Negro

 

The current social-political climate has brought forth various agendas for conversation and debate. The book: How the Left Destroyed the Western Negro by VKY (for Victoria Kabeya, 107 pages, paperback, 2021) is a comparative essay that explores the relationship between the political left and African-Americans/African-French. Some of the topics include: consumerism, globalism, monetization of Black suffering, social media “black egomaniacs,” political immaturity, and opportunistic motivations. This French-Belgian author presents a very impressive argument on the dangerous aspects of leftist political ideologies on Black populations. For example, she states: “The recent protests in 2020 have highlighted a deep hatred of Blacks in the west for Donald Trump. Yet,…the crimes committed by Barack Obama as well as his inability to improve the condition of Black Americans are still overlooked” (p. 18).

 

The author has some hard-hitting intellectual left hooks and brilliantly defends her stance. No rose colored glasses found in this text. There are a few critiques that could be made (e.g. relevant U.S. systematic forces), but overall it remains a strong argument. She concludes with a political prophecy that is quite eye-opening. The book is a short-length read, very informative, and can be easily followed. I highly recommend this book whether or not politics interest you, because it’s just that good. A must read!

 

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