For author Gil Robertson, it truly is a Family Affair

It’s ironic that the cover of Family Affair: What It Means to be African American Today features a single, sprawling tree. When Atlanta-based author Gil Robertson first moved here from Los Angeles, the thought of how many lives had been snuffed at the end of a gangly old tree branch was never too far away.

But that may not be unique to Robertson. Just about anyone from “up North,” no matter their race, could be thinking the same thing.

That’s partly why Family Affair is so meaningful. The book is a collection of essays from everyday people and extraordinary individuals sharing their ideas on family, culture, relationships, community and self. They just happen to be African-American. Seen through the prism of personal stories, anyone can identify with these experiences and appreciate the lessons learned.

You won’t have to read deeply to find inspiration and insight here. Whether it’s Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker recalling how he beat back naysayers to become a “first” on many fronts, or Bunnie Jackson-Ransom finding her value outside of being “Mrs. Maynard Jackson,” Robertson has culled stories that provide guidance and strong reminders of resilience and faith.

While some states officially celebrated Juneteenth — a holiday commemorating the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas — yesterday, Georgia is not one of them. Below, Gilbertson offers his thoughts on why that is — along with some insight of his own about the African-American community, how Family Affair came to be, and next to nooses and Confederate flags, the next scariest thing about living in Atlanta.

Gilbertson will be signing copies of Family Affair on Sunday, June 28, 1 p.m., at Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, 4185 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur. 404-284-8865. www.greaterststephenministries.org.