SUMMER SOLSTICE NEWSLETTER
One aspect of the element ’MINERAL’
Is COMMUNICATION which excites MEMORY! The more we communicate, the more we remember. The more we remember, the more connected to one another we become.
We communicate in many ways such as storytelling, déjà vu, dreams, association with animal totems, presentation of our gift to a receptive community, modern day SM, and letter writing.
In this quarter’s newsletter, we use one of the most powerful, impactful, and historical tools to communicate-LETTER WRITING!
Edition quick links: Medicine | Math | African Medicine Wheel | Coming Soon
MEDICINE
01 A LETTER FROM HOME
Years ago African Americans having visited their southern home towns, upon returning to their home in the migrant north would be given a package of goodies to share with their relatives. Included in the package would be a large succulent, and delicious watermelon. The happy and excited the northern relatives would refer to the watermelon as “A Letter from Home.”
Remarks: A watermelon contains the perfect sodium/potassium balance. It not only improves the body’s hydration, but it replenishes electrolytes.
02 A LETTER OF ANNOUNCEMENT
GENERAL ORDER NO. 3
JUNE 19, 1868
The people are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States: ALL SLAVES ARE FREE!
Remarks: Enslaved Africans of Texas, not realising they had been freed 3 years before the announcement, began to celebrate with delicious soul food, including the serving of many red foods such as watermelon, red velvet cake, and red strawberry soda pop. The red color had considerable significance for the people and they declared June 19 a holiday and called it JUNETEENTH!
Strawberries have many medicinal health benefits that include the perfect sodium/potassium balance, vitamin C and are filled with fiber. These items contribute to heart health and cancer prevention.
MATH
03 A LETTER FROM RAMANUJAN
January 16, 1913
“An equation for me has no meaning unless it expressed a thought of God”
Dear Sir,
I beg to introduce myself to you as a Department of the Port Trust Office Mac 20 pounds per annum. I am now about 23 years. I have no university education …I have been time at my disposal to work at mathematics. The results I get are termed by the local mathematicians as STARTLING!
Remarks: This letter included Ramanujan’s mathematical works which he said came all from the Goddess Namagiri through dreams, visions, and voices. It was sent to the mathematics Professor Hardy at the University of Cambridge, England. Hardy immediately sent for Ramanujan even though he said everything would have to be proved.
Ramanujan’s mathematical works have impacted today’s mathematical world, setting the precedent for knowledge of black holes, technology, physics, and magic squares.
04 A LETTER FROM THE CONTENDERS
ACTOR,TERRENCE HOWARD VS. ASTRO PHYSICIST NEIL deGRASSE TYSON
This letter turned out to be a 36 page treatise from Terrence Howard and Neil deGrasse said that it was an attempt on the part of Howard to re-invent mathematics and physics. DeGrasse stated that Howard’s statement on square roots was not true. So after doing a detailed ‘peer review’ Tyson told Howard that he needed much more study and research, for example through the use of journals.
He told him that if he (Howard) felt that what he was saying was correct, then take the years of time and study, then show proof of correctness. I believed Tyson left the ring with a TKO on Howard.
Remarks: One of the things that we all must do whenever we are speaking on a topic, we must reference as well as do the research that shows factual evidence.
Actually there is really nothing new up under the sun but what is important is how we use our own unique approach and style of delivery to a subject.
“OF ALL OUR STUDIES, HISTORY IS BEST QUALIFIED TO REWARD ALL RESEARCH.” …Malcolm X
AFRICAN MEDICINE WHEEL
05 FIRE (2, 7)
VISIONARY
The following is a love letter written September 19, 1858
My Dear Wife,
I take the pleasure of writing you these few with much regret to inform you that I am sold to a man by the name of Peterson treader and Stays in New Orleans. I am here yet But I expect to go before long but when I get there I will write and let you know where I am.
My Dear I want to send you some things but I don’t know who to send them by but I will try to get them to you and my children. Give my love to my father and mother and tell them good Bye for me. And if we shall not meet in this world I hope to meet in heaven.
My Dear wife for you and my children my pen cannot Express the griffe I feel to be parted from you all.*
I remain yours truly husband until death.
Abream Scriven
*From the book, “A love No Less, by Pamela Newark and presented as was written.
06 WATER (1, 6)
PEACE MAKER
The following is a letter from Vietnam leader, Ho Chi Minh to President Harry Truman asking for Intervention
Hanoi
February 28, 1946
TELEGRAM
President Ho Chi Minh Vietnam Democratic Republic Hanoi
To the President of the united States of America
Washington, D.C.
On behalf of Vietnam government and people I beg to inform you that in course of conversations between Vietnam government and French representatives the latter require the secession of Cochinchina and the return of French troops in Hanoi stop meanwhile French population and troops are making active preparations for a coup de main in Hanoi and for military oppression stop . I therefore most earnestly appeal to you personally and to the American people to interfere. Urgently in support of our independence and help making the negotiations more in keeping with the principles of the Atlantic and San Francisco Charter.
Respectfully,
Ho Chi Minh
Remarks: WAR! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!… EDWIN STAR
The Leader of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh was educated in the United States. While living in Harlem, N.Y. he had a job as a dishwasher and was also influenced by pan Africanism and Black Nationalist, Marcus Garvey. He attended meetings of the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
07 EARTH (0, 5)
NOURISHER
The following is a letter written by WEB Dubois to his teenage daughter upon sending her to the prestigious boarding school.
December 10, 1958
Dear little Daughter,
I have waited for you to get well settled before writing. By this time I hope some of the strangeness has worn off and that my little girl is working hard and regularly.
Of course everything is new and unusual. You miss the newness and smartness of America. Gradually, however, you are going to sense the beauty of the old world: its calm and eternity and you will grow to love it.
Above all remember dear, that you have a great opportunity. You are in one of the world’s best schools, in one of the world’s greatest modern empires. Millions of boys and girls all over this world would give almost anything they possess to be where you are. You are there by no desert or merit of yours, but only by lucky chance.
Deserve it, then study, do your work. Be honest frank and fearless and get some grasp of the real values of life. You will meet of course, curious little annoyances. People will wander at your dear brown and the sweet crinkly hair.
But that simply is of no importance and will soon be forgotten.
Remember that most folk laugh at anything unusual, whether it is beautiful fine or not. You however, must not laugh at yourself. You must know that brown is as pretty as white or prettier and crinkly hair as straight even though it is harder to comb.The main thing is the YOU beneath the clothes and skin-the determination to understand and know this great, wonderful, curious world. Don’t shrink from new experiences and custom. Take the cold bath bravely.Enter into the spirit of your big bed-room.
Enjoy what is and not pine for what is not. Read some good, heavy, serious books just for discipline. Take yourself in hand and master yourself. Make yourself do unpleasant things, so as to gain the upper hand of your soul.
Above all remember your father loves you and believes in you and expects you to be a wonderful woman.
I shall write each week and expect a weekly letter from you.
Lovingly yours,
Papa
08 MINERAL (4, 9)
ARTIST AND HISTORIAN
LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL (EXCERPTS)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
August, 1963
Finding only scraps of paper in prison Dr. King wrote the following:
While confined here in the Birmingham city jail. I came across your recent statement calling our present activities “unwise and untimely”. Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in little else in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.
Of course there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience, It was seen sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar because a higher moral law was included.
We can forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did was “illegal.”
But as I continued to think about the matter, I gradually gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist. Was not Jesus an extremist in love?
Remarks: Today this letter is referenced everywhere including college campuses around the country. Wouldn’t Shadrach , Meshach, and a B-A-A-A-D Negro be proud of Dr. Martin Luther King?
09 NATURE (3, 8)
TRANSFORMATION & CHANGE AGENT
A LETTER OF ETHNOGRAPHY
Having unsuccessfully attempted suicide twice and literally feeling the charcoal being pumped throughout her body to remove the pills and alcohol that nearly caused her death, twice homeless Fawn Weaver asked herself,” What is my purpose in life?”
Not too long after that experience , she was reading a magazine that referenced Jack Daniels and the enslaved African, Nathan Green(Uncle Nearest) as the one who showed Jack Daniels how to distill whiskey. Green also showed Daniels how to make the whiskey smooth by pouring the whiskey over charcoal- that same type of charcoal that saved Fawn
Weaver’s life!
Weaver immediately began to research and ended up in Tennessee interviewing the family of Jack Daniels and Nathan Green. Through their help, she bought the land that was used to distill the original Jack Daniels/Nathan Green Whiskey. She built distilleries on the land too. Because she now had land and a plethora of real property, she was able to attract investors. She invested fifty million dollars in marketing and sold the product in every state in the country.
Young billionaire Fawn Weaver is now owner of the only Black distillery in the USA. Today Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the top selling whiskey globally!
Remarks: It is said that “Land is the basis of all Independence.’ Can I get a witness?
COMING SOON
The math workbook for ages 2 – 7 years old.
The workbook is an African-centered workbook that covers, in a very simplistic way, topics of counting, patterns, number rhymes, basic math facts, algebra, geometry, data, probability, and word problems, in African dilemma story form.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
LOVE the research. Very valuable. Asante for sharing the news. ????
In honor of the spirit of Minerals thanks for these stories that is being held in the bones of time expressed through your writings
I in particularly love the story of Fawn Weaver….In each character’s story I can hear the history of life expressed from their own bones and wonder what’s written in my own bones that needs to be expressed through the gift of Fire ???? from my own life. Something that the world is waiting on to bring my own healing gift to her aching heart. I felt motivated to allow my Bones to tell the stories that’s hidden within me… Thanks Linda for using your gift to awaken ours.
Love ❤️ Aarinade
I can see math in everything!