Culture, History, & News

Sami Blood

What does it mean to assimilate into a more dominant culture? Are you allowed to retain your own cultural identity or adopt the customs of another group? Amanda Kernell explores these questions in her first feature film Sami Blood (2017). The film introduces two sisters, Elle-Marja and Njenna, who are Sami students at a government school in 1930s Sweden. During this time in history, the school was established to assimilate Sami children into the more dominant Swedish culture and was also a period of systematic racism against them.

“Sami Blood has amazing views of nature and a good story line of how the sisters cope with discrimination and racism.”

The Sami are an indigenous population that are semi-nomadic reindeer herders found in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Russia. They also have a beautiful old song tradition known as Joik. Today in Sweden, many Sami have retained their cultural pride and have acquired political representation in the Sami Parliament.

Sami Blood has amazing views of nature and a good story line of how the sisters cope with discrimination and racism. You should definitely watch this film! It is available for rental on YouTube with English subtitles. Filmmaker Amanda Kernell is herself of Sami ancestry and speaks openly about her own older relatives who deny their ethnic origins. See the interview video of her at the end of this post.

*Reposted article from the May 2019 Edition.

“Sami Blood – Official Trailer”
Madman Films on YouTube
2018

“Sami Blood: Amanda Kernell director – interview”
Brave New Hollywood on YouTube
2017

“Amanda Kernell: SAMI BLOOD”
Mark Gordon Center Stage on YouTube
2017

Art/Film/Literature News

Two Zions

The diplomatic meeting between Jerusalem and Sheba took place over three thousand years ago. The documentary: Two Zions: The Living Legacy of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon (2015, 58 minutes) directed by Cheryl Halpern explores the meeting between King Solomon (Jerusalem) and Queen Makeda (Sheba). Both Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and Ethiopian Jews have cultural and religious connections to this historic encounter.

It is important to remember the Black race was not absent in antiquity and not absent in biblical history. 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). He reminds the reader: 1.) “Ethiopia is the oldest Christian country on the face of the Earth…” (p.50). 2.) “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). 1 

“There is the possibility of Jerusalem Jews being a part of the queen’s returnee royal entourage home.”

Most Ethiopians claim the Queen of Sheba as their own. Through her son Menelik, believed to be fathered by Solomon, established a legendary Ethiopian-Solomonic dynastic rule. There is the possibility of Jerusalem Jews being a part of the queen’s returnee royal entourage home. The Bible speaks of her: “And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1 KJV Holy Bible). This queen and the land she ruled was the biblical inspiration for my own name.

“We must remember, the population migrations of these ancient nations involved trade partnerships, conquest, and inter-marriage (especially arranged political marriages between nations), in a region of the world composed of various people of color groups.”

Ethiopia is not alone in its claim to the Queen of Sheba. There is some geo-historical rivalry with Yemen who also claim this queen. However, it is quite possible her ancient kingdom included both present day Ethiopia and Yemen. We must remember, the population migrations of these ancient nations involved trade partnerships, conquest, and inter-marriage (especially arranged political marriages between nations), in a region of the world composed of various people of color groups. These population migrations occurred among the ancient world, just as it occurs today.

The documentary explains very well the royal relationship between Jerusalem and Sheba. It addresses something I already suspected about the queen’s returnee royal entourage home. It confirms her son, Menelik, after meeting his father Solomon had Jerusalem Jews in his entourage home to Sheba. Per the film: “From each tribe [of Jerusalem Jews] they sent their first born and one thousand people” (time-stamp 20:45). 2 The Bible establishes diplomatic missions involved the exchange of gifts. It states: “And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants” (1 Kings 10:13 KJV Holy Bible). A good film to watch!

The film is available for rental on Amazon, to view click here.

*Reposted article from the September 2024 Edition.

Bibliography

( 1 ) McKissic, William D. Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible. United States: Renaissance Productions, 2017. p. 50 & 66.

( 2 ) Cheryl Halpern. Two Zions: The Living Legacy of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. HQ Creative Studio, 2015. https://www.amazon.com/Two-Zions-Living-Legacy-Solomon/dp/B08FR8PG8W

“Two Zions: The Living Legacy of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon (Trailer)”
HQ Creative on YouTube

“Pnina Tamano-Shata, first Israeli-Ethiopian woman MP, speaks with @EHochenberg and @AmiKaufman”
i24 News English on YouTube
November 2017

“Zionism is not the same as Judaism | Quotable”
AL Jazeera English on YouTube
October 2023
Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss، Activist and Spokesman for Neturei Karta, talks to Al Jazeera

Business/Non-Profit/Inspirational News

Jupiter’s Foodie Adventures

Go on a food adventure with JL Jupiter as he explores East Coast restaurants: Aunt Vonda’s Kitchen Table, Date Night at Girasole Ristorante, and an Epic Seafood Dinner at Star Fusion.

“Lamb Cheesesteak, Teriyaki Lamb Chops, Turkey Wings at Aunt Vonda’s Kitchen Table”
JL Jupiter on YouTube
February 2025“Date night at Girasole Ristorante in Atlantic City”
JL Jupiter on YouTube
October 2023“Epic Dinner, Seafood Mac n Cheese and more at Star Fusion!”
JL Jupiter on YouTube
December 2019

Book Review

Anne of Green Gables: Recipes from Avonlea

The story of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (originally published in 1908) is a beloved children’s classic book. It was my favorite book and film during childhood. The 1985 Anne of Green Gables film series starring Megan Follows is available to watch on Amazon Prime and Gazebo TV. At this time, I have not seen the newer movie versions and remain a bit partial to the 1985 version.

The Anne of Green Gables: Recipes from Avonlea (A Literary-Inspired Cookbook) is a collection of literary inspired recipes to bring the rustic charm of Green Gables to your table. There are recipes for raspberry cordial, tea cakes, and roasted chicken with easy to follow instructions. “Cooking is more than just preparing meals-it’s a way to bring warmth, tradition, and a sense of home to those we love” (p.90).

“Anne of Green Gables- Official Trailer”
Sullivan Entertainment on YouTube
Starring Megan Follows (1985)

News Videos (6)

“Trump pushes false claims of ‘white genocide’ in South Africa in Oval Office meeting”
ABC News on YouTube
May 21st, 2025

“Trump misuses Congo photo to claim white killings in South Africa”
USA Today on YouTube
May 22nd, 2025

“This area of South Dakota voted for Trump by roughly 70%. Here’s what they think now”
CNN on YouTube
April 17th, 2025

“WSJ Editor Explains Why U.S. Sidelined Israel Before Trump’s Mideast Trip”
WSJ News on YouTube
May 12th, 2025

“Musk has been backing neo-Nazi parties around the world”
Senator Bernie Sanders on YouTube
January 2025

“Candace Owens TURNS ON Trump After She Was Threatened With ARREST”
African Dispora News Channel on YouTube
May 8th, 2025
Ms. Vicki Dillard, Political Commentator