Forum/Discussions

Where Do We Go From Here, What Do We Do Now?

Junious Ricardo Stanton

“Sankofa is a realization of self and spirit. It represents the concepts of self-identity, redefinition and vision. It symbolizes an understanding of one’s destiny and the collective identity of the larger cultural group. Sankofa is the repossession of something that was forgotten and the initiation of a process to return to the place where the object was lost in order to ‘to fetch it’ and ‘then move forward’ into the future.” The Adinkra Dictionary A Visual Primer on the Language of Adinkra by W. Bruce Willispage189

      During the past few weeks for Black History Month 2023 I have shared books titles I believe can help us to know and celebrate our greatness as a people, understand our current predicament and how we arrived here. These lists are by no mean exhaustive all encompassing or complete. They are merely a few books I believe we should familiarize ourselves with as we go forward, because our objective is to always go forward! By going forward I mean growing becoming mature, transforming ourselves and moving beyond the stultifying and degrading status we find ourselves due to mental and socio-economic colonization and oppression.

      This week I will offer a list of books to help us begin the process of Sankofa, meaning going back to bring forth that which was lost, misplaced or stolen. For us Sankofa is a process of transformation, doing the mental alchemy that will burn off the accumulated dross and dregs of Western mental slavery, materialism and ego so we can reveal the refined inner gold of redemption, transformation, self-actualization and true freedom. This is a spiritual and psychological process which leads to a complete change, a metamorphosis of being and doing in the world. If we are to save ourselves and the world we must become different, new more enlightened. Another word for this process is Metanoia; this a Greek word the early Western Gnostics and Christian theologians translated as “repent” meaning a thorough change or renewal of one’s mind, truly being born again.

      Sankofa requires going beyond merely proclaiming or coloring oneself Black or Brown, merely wearing African garb; it is an inner process necessitating arduous effort and commitment. The current world is in thorough collapse: moral, economic and social, so it behooves us not to go down with it into complete depravity and chaos. In keeping with this notion of Sankofa I am offering another  short list of books I believe will help in the transformation process:

The Metu Neter series or anything by Ra Un Nefer Amen published by Khamit Corporation

THE SANKOFA MOVEMENT REAFRIKANIZATION THE REALITY OF WAR by Kwame Agyei and Akua Nson Akoto ISBN 0-963588-84-2

Light from Ancient Africa by Na’im Akbar PhD. ISBN: 0-935275-02-0

RETURN TO THE AFRICAN MOTHER PRINCIPLE OF MALE AND FEMALE EQUALITY Volume 1 by Oba T’Shaka ISBN: 9-781878-557094

NYANSASEM A CALENDAR OF REVOLUTIONARY DAILY THOUGHTS       by Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti

Blueprint For Black Power A Moral, Political and Economic Imperative for the Twenty-First Century by Amos N. Wilson ISBN: 1-879164-06-X

Countering The Conspiracy To Destroy Black Boys Vol 1 and 2 by Jawanza Kunjufu ISBN: 0-913543-00-4, ISBN: 0-913543-03-9

Paradigm Shift the Next Empowering Pathway for Afri-Amer Development by Keidi Obi Awadu ISBN: 9-798481-263908

Living Suprfood Recipes, Medicine Has Never Tasted Like This Before by Keidi Obi Awadu

MAAT PHILOSOPHY vs FASCISM AND THE POLICE STATE Understanding why Modern Society does not Experience the Peace and Prosperity of Ancient Egypt and How To Discover the Pathway to Freedom, True Law and Order and Spiritual Enlightenment by D. Muat Ashby ISBN: 978-1-884564-87-1

Ra Sekhi Kemetic Reiki Level One and Level Two Rekhit Kajara Nia Yaa Nebthet  ISBN: 9-781478-172406, ISBN:9-781490-344768

       I hope these lists of books will reignite the desire for knowledge and wisdom we so desperately need to begin the process of self and group transformation. As we celebrate Black History Month 2023, my desire is we use this time to begin the serious work of healing and saving ourselves, that we unite with like minded seekers to form intellectual and spiritual Maroon Communities, to become the catalysts for redemption.

                                                            -30-