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ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

tribulations that come a knocking every so oten. It was also a year where media was on a rampage breeding all sorts of negativity within people that would later show up in the world of Social Media. It was a war on words that played its part magnificently and it is set to be more spectacular than ever, especially now we have been dealt with the Trump Card. This is why you won't see any negativity within this paper as it's allowing ourselves and our minds to be liberated. And on that note I shall leave you with Bob...lol...see you in the next issue....Out April!

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourGreetings One and All, Wow 2017 selves can free our minds!" - Bob has landed and a lot has happened Marley that has got me thinking...key word: CHANGE!! So I don't watch too much television or even read mainstream tabloids out there today, however I can feel it. That shit ..hmm shape-shiting i hear you say..who knows. Conversations, had daily with loved ones, friends, colleagues and even strangers, sometimes, have all but changed. It is all so serious now. Is this the signs of the times that is spoken about in the book of life or could it be that this is what it feels like to really mature into adultFAWOHODIE - 'Independence' hood. 2016 was a bit of a blur, however I remember feeling that Symbol of independence, freeshit in mindset, focusing on makdom, emancipation ing things happen, and remaining positive in the face of trials and

Meet the team

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

Adinkra History Continued from front page Symbols, powerful communication tools in today's society. Unfortunately, symbols can convey negative connotations, however we are remaining positive, so let us focus our attentions to Ghana, West Africa. Believed to be created by the Ashanti and the Gyaman of Cote D'Ivoire, the Adinkra are visual symbols which represent concepts or aphorisms, mainly used in fabrics, pottery, logos and advertising. The word Adinkra means 'goodbye' and was originally worn at a time of mourning at funerals by Royalty and spiritual leaders

only. Now, worn by everyone, no matter the occasion, the messages and their meanings still remain the same. A lot of the Adinkra symbols have meanings linked to proverbs, such as the sankofa symbol. Sankofa is Twi language and means "return and get it". The proverb that it is associated with is ""Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi," translated to mean: "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten." Check out more at: http:// www.adinkra.org and let us know what you think.

Love your family? Ever wondered if it might be possible to bring holistic education to your family? You know the kind of education that helps family members with their relationships? Plus, the kind of education that is to do with classrooms, tests and exams? I have found that when you bring the two together, magic happens. You probably thought they had to be tackled in diﬀerent places. Perhaps, school or college for real education. Perhaps a therapist to teach you about sibling harmony, building self-esteem and developing the parent-child relationship. You would be right because sometimes, combining diﬀerent places and people is the answer. But I am sure you have heard about homeschooling and this is just one example of a family bringing all of the thinking together. Increasingly, parents are home-schooling their children which means they become fully responsible for the child's whole education. Most parents, at some point in bringing up their children, will benefit from outside help and education. Yet, you can do the necessaries at home, whether or not you are home schooling. You just need to be able to find the right re-

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

sources when you need them. In this column 'Spare the Rod…', we will cover the issues that parents are thinking about now: family learning, formal education, cultural issues and values will abound. So, in 2017, expect Rootz News to bring families thought-provoking ideas and information; exploring a wide range of issues that include role modelling, family values, screen time, home study, homework, self-esteem, discipline including physical punishment and praise. Would you agree that 2017 simply must be better than 2016? Let us help you. We invite parents to tell us of their parenting successes so do send in your stories. In each issue, we will feature an interview with one outstanding parent. Tell us why it should be you. In this first piece focusing on Role Modelling, we start by asking you: What did you learn from your significant adults when you were a child? How did teachers, parents, preachers and other adults in your community behave and what did you learn from that? In other words, how were you parented? Who were your role models? What

did they teach you? What did you learn and decide? The ways in which you were parented will have influenced how you behave or how you have chosen not to behave. The values you have inculcated, the way you are in relationships, the ways in which you bring up your own children have their roots in those early years. A well-known African saying is 'It takes a whole village to raise a child'. A very commendable sentiment reminding us of community, shared responsibility and that the outcome is our product. However, for Elders to be helped to take ownership of parenting, they (we) must be healthy villagers. We must have the needed skills to model. Modelling helps shape or determine another's behaviour and thinking, well into the future. Being

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

a role model is the most influential way in which to teach children. A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people (Merton). As adults, we must have the skills of being self-critical, of being able to develop self-awareness, of being willing to grow and change. They are the very same that a child needs to develop and be equipped for life. The role models therefore need to be able to model those skills well so that the child can best learn. If the way in which I was parented means I did not learn those skills, it becomes difficult, nay impossible, to show them to my own children. Therefore, our young people will instead learn from us other skills such as defensiveness, shame, inappropriate expressions of anger, quick-fire withdrawal or difficulty in making personal change. No doubt, they will somehow learn some of the needed skills. They will likely find alternative role models or they may learn entirely different skills from other role models who have a stronger message to relay. Delivering a strong message is important for role models who want to make an impact. In a family that will mean being clear about your values (Bandura, 1977). In a school, the rules oten hold sway. In a community, having a distinct set of expectations in which people recognise and acknowledge each other is one key. One other is that there is a shared experience which individuals are proud and happy to own. Too, individuals will support each other's efforts and enterpris-

es. The values and skills that are the basis of that community will be clear and thoroughly reinforced. In addition, individuals will be proud to be associated with others of that group. These are fundamentals when wishing to build or strengthen a community. When those keys disintegrate, communities weaken. Therefore, the opposite is true and outlines a simple plan for community building. To strengthen a community, work on establishing and embedding those elements starting with your own family. Our previous expectations of community may no longer be valid. For example, many young people of African descent have no sense of belonging to a distinct African community. Also, many older people have not behaved as Elders and the Youngers have gone elsewhere to learn the needed values and skills. In short, they have been parented by others. That experience will influence how they behave towards African Elders, their self-perception, their views about older people's notions of community, the ways in which they build relationships and with whom. Nowadays, many Elders having been brought up to expect respect do not necessarily receive it. Therefore, they are not venerated and do not feel like Elders. One factor that helps villagers to be healthy is to experience reciprocity: making a useful contribution and being recognised as having a contribution to make. In other words, the experience of being needed or useful creates a system in which relationships of interdependency exist; a system upon

which communities thrive and can endure. Although it is true that there has been evidence of weakening African communities, there is also a growing resilience in those who are safeguarding African values and beliefs. A precarious balance is being maintained. The health of today's villagers will decide which skills and values are modelled to today's children and young people, in turn governing what they learn and use in parenting their own children. This is the stuﬀ of community building.

April Issue - Independent Learning Will look at issues to do with homework, studying at home, developing skills of study and selfdiscipline.

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

(My mum asked me to pick a story to share with you guys about unity. This one is my favourite. It was the first story read on the 1st day of Kwanzaa) Anansi and his sons When Anansi's first son was born and Anansi and his wife, Aso were ready to name the child, the baby spoke up and said, "I have brought my own name with me. It is See Trouble." Their second son also announced his name in this way. He was Road Builder. Each of his six sons in turn announced their names in this way. There was River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower and Cushion. Once, Anansi had to go on a long journey. On his trip, he found a big,

bright, shiny ball. He was bringing it home, when he fell into the lake and was swallowed by a big fish. Anansi decided right then that he would give the bright shiny object to whoever rescued him.

Stone Thrower grabbed a rock and threw it. He hit the bird just right to make it let go of Anansi. Down, down Anansi fell, but he didn't get hurt because Cushion put himself in the way. Anansi landed sotly.

As time passed, and Anansi did not return home, his family became worried. See Trouble looked ahead to see Anansi inside the big fish. He told his brothers. Right away, Road Builder cleared a path through the forest for his brothers to follow.When they got to the lake, it was the thirsty brother's turn. River Drinker drank up all the water in the lake. There was the big fish at the bottom. Game skinner went right to work. He cut open that fish to let Anansi out. Anansi was still holding that bright, shiny object he had found. Suddenly a giant bird flew down and grabbed Anansi. It took him way up into the sky.

Anansi wanted to give the bright, shiny object to the son who had rescued him, but he couldn't decide who had done the most to help him. He gave the bright, shiny thing to Nyame, who put it up in the sky until someone could figure out which son deserves it the most. It is still there in the sky. You can see it tonight.

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

Get involved and have your say, whether its in the form of a letter or a poem, Rootz News wants to hear from you. E m a i l : rootznewspaper@gmail.com and put 'Community Page' in the subject area.

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

International Womens Day 8th March 2017 Calling any community groups, projects, individuals....if you are celebrating International Womens Day this year then we would like for you to invite us to share your stories with our Rootz News Readers. Our next Issue is Out April 4th. Get in touch via our links and let's discuss in more detail.

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLE pectin which lowers blood presCIDER VINEGAR sure. It lowers the bad cholesterol and increases the good cholesterol helping the body to function correctly.

Written By: Yvonne L. Salcido MH Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing food. It has been used historically through the centuries. In early Assyrian medical texts it was referred to for treatments. In the Bible it is mentioned to heal infectious wounds and sores. During the bubonic plague of Europe some enterprising thieves used a tincture of apple cider vinegar and garlic to protect themselves from infection of the ravaging disease as they robbed the bodies of the dead. It saved thousands of lives during the U. S. Civil War being used as a disinfectant on the injuries of the wounded. Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse of vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It has little fat and sodium. It is high in potassium helping to re-establish a healthy digestive tract. It is a wonderful super food promoting growth of healthy micro flora in the body which is essential to heart health and proper immune function. Apple cider vinegar is high in

Today there are many new studies showing the wonderful nutritional benefits and healing that can occur through making apple cider vinegar part of your diet. The first I would like to mention is a recent study at Arizona State University on diabetes. This disease in rising epidemic proportions in the U. S. The results of this study were quite significant, Three diﬀerent groups were studied, those with type two diabetes, those who were pre-diabetes and a group of healthy adults. All the groups benefited. When given apple cider vinegar before meals those with type two blood sugar levels dropped nineteen percent. Participants with a pre-diabetic condition blood sugar levels dropped thirty four percent. In this study participants were also given apple cider vinegar before bedtime and blood sugar levels dropped doubling those given a placebo. For the healthy adults apple cider vinegar given during meals dropped their blood sugar levels by twenty percent. Apple cider vinegar improves glucose metabolism.

digestion this has lead to significant evidence in the benefit in symptoms of gout helping the body to break down the uric acid and elevating symptoms. This is accomplished by the malic acid which breaks down the uric acid and eliminates it from the body. Some have had had immediate results and others in just a few days. I have recently read many accounts of the benefits of apple cider vinegar with gout even many that have suffered for years with this affliction and then quickly alleviated their gout. The antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar deter the unwanted bacteria and yeast in the body. It increases stomach acidity and this improves digestion and nutritional assimilation. Apple cider vinegar maintains the acid alkaline balance of the body. Many suffers of acid reflux have been relieved. Digestion and assimilation of healthy foods is critical for proper functioning of the body, especially with gout and other digestive issues. Apple cider vinegar helps the body do what is was designed to do.

In addition to all these benefits apple cider vinegar has been shown to aid in the following: weight loss (gradual but tends to be permanent), arthritis, warts and plantar warts (even long standing) and The researchers concluded with a many more. statement by the American Diabetes Association that emphasized When shopping for apple cider the importance of reducing blood vinegar look for the following: sugar levels ater meals to reduce complications of diabetes. They • Raw encouraged the use of apple cider • Unfiltered vinegar in the diet but concluded • Unpasteurized more studies should be done in • Organic this area. Apple cider vinegar is one super Another amazing benefit of apple whole nutritious food that should cider vinegar has been for over all be incorporated into the diet daily.

ROOTZ NEWS: January Issue