Hello Everyone! Sankofa Newsletter has moved to a new platform on WordPress.com and is no longer available on Blogger. I have transferred two years worth of data files to this new website and noticed some minor format issues that will be corrected over time (the previous blog editions are still readable). To my subscribers, please re-subscribe here on WordPress.com and thanks to everyone for the support! Happy Birthday Sankofa Newsletter, Two-years old this month! 💖
“Happy Happy Birthday To You: Afrobeat Happy Birthday Song”
Bino and Fino on YouTube
Culture & News
Star Wars
The movies and books of Star Wars has become a cultural phenomenon with many enthusiasts. The diverse species of characters and futuristic adventures make for an entertaining experience. The documentary, Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed (2007) provides social commentary of the films’ effect on culture with parallels to history, politics, and mythology.
Princess Leia is the twin sister of Luke Skywalker and a member of the rebel alliance that challenges the new tyrannical government. The documentary highlights her journey from princess to worthy adversary. Filmmaker Peter Jackson comments on her: “She’s not just a love interest as a lot of princesses in these stories tend to be. She actually has her own story, her own mythology. She turns out to be a Jedi and that’s very much a journey she has to take herself” (at time mark 33:10). This character description shows the complexity of Princess Leia.
The scifi film Pumzi (2009) by filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu takes place thirty-five years after World War III in an East African community. The film title means “breath” in Swahili. The protagonist, Asha, is a curator of the virtual national history museum. She lives in a homogeneous society that has authoritarian undertones. Due to the war, there is water scarcity and the outside world is deemed radioactive. The community forbids dreaming and it relies on kinetic energy to produce water for the population. One day, Asha makes a ground-breaking discovery that threatens life in the community.
The characters Princess Leia and Asha have some similarities in their struggles. Both are facing a transition from an assigned role (princess, curator) to the forefront of leadership. Their autocratic societies force a decision upon the heroines to challenge or submit to the status quo. Whatever shall they do? Watch both films at the end of this newsletter to find out. Happy Star Wars Day: May 4th, 2021!
Disney: A Star Wars Movie Timeline of Every Film in Order of Release
https://www.disney.com.au/movies/a-star-wars-timeline-of-every-movie-in-order-of-release
Wired: Kenyan Sci-Fi Short Pumzi Hits Sundance with Dystopia (2010)
https://www.wired.com/2010/01/pumzi/
Forbes: Would It Be Ethical to Colonize Mars? (2015)
Air Force Magazine: What’s a Space Weapon? The Answer Can Be Complicated (2020)
https://www.airforcemag.com/whats-a-space-weapon-the-answer-can-be-complicated/
Art/Film/Literature News
Pharaoh’s Golden Parade
Egypt held a festive event called the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade, composed of 22 ancient royal mummies. The procession traveled from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, through downtown Cairo, and to a new home at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
CBS News: 22 Royal Mummies, Kings and Queens Who Died More Than 3000 Years Ago, Get a Parade to Move to Their New Home (includes video)
Business/Non-Profit News
Joe’s Gourmet Fish Fry offers home cook products and now franchise opportunities starting with openings in Georgia. Just imagine y’all, Fish Fry Fridays everyday at your local Walmart. Yummy!
Black News.com: Black-Owned Fish Fry Restaurant With Locations Inside Several Walmarts Launches Franchise Opportunities
Book Review
Star Wars Princess Leia
The Star Wars saga continues through the awakening of a royal heroine, Princess Leia, in the book: Star Wars Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray ( 2017, 291 pages, kindle edition ). She’s 16 years old and ready to embark on her first diplomatic humanitarian mission. Her path into young adulthood is met with challenges inside and outside the palace. As a “senator-in-training” the perils of Emperor Palpatine’s harsh intergalactic rule becomes even more apparent to the young princess. Leia reflects: “…Palpatine won’t surrender power unless he’s forced out. If the Imperial Senate hasn’t been able to hold the Empire in check by now, they never will” (kindle p. 132). The seeds of rebellion begin to grow within her.
This book has political intrigue, action sequences, easy to follow writing, and a very entertaining storyline. Even if you are not familiar with the Star Wars book series, this particular book is a good first choice read (as it was in my case). There are brief descriptions of the Clone Wars, the former Republic, and current Imperial tyranny that helps the reader navigate this interesting galaxy. A great read!
Author Claudia Gray, Star Wars
http://www.claudiagray.com/books/star-wars/
Video (3)
“Pumzi” on YouTube
“Star Wars: A Political Analysis”
War of Ideas on YouTube
“Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed HD Mythological Documentary”
(Full Film)
Holonet on YouTube
(May 4th, 2021)
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