Culture Surfing

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.
Continue reading “For author Gil Robertson, it truly is a Family Affair” »

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Is “Bruce” Leroy Green still the Master? Sho’nuff!

Just ask the crowd at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema on Friday, March 13.

Cool Cinema (a collaboration between Art Beats + Lyrics, Come Up Kids, Fadia Kader and Whynatte) managed to lure MJQ regulars, twentysomething B-boys, overextended but fabulous fashion heads and die-hard The Last Dragon fans with the promise of a true-school classic on the big screen, stiff drinks and the chance to meet Bruce Leroy himself, Taimak Guarriello.

Taimak must have slipped in like a ninja, because by the time the long ticket line started to unfurl from the wheelchair-accessible ramp, a small mob had formed in front of the table where his three-person crew had set up DVDs, photos and T-shirts.

Last Dragon geek that I am, I brought my own DVD – and luckily, too, because the $20 cost for one was worth it, but more than I was prepared to spend.

Taimak gracefully posed for photos – even with a few “This is going straight to Facebook!” guys – shook hands and autographed photos of him shirtless.

Yes, ladies, his body, smile and charm is every bit as heart-melting as you remember.

Continue reading “The Last Dragon screening, Taimak meet-and-greet is truly Cool Cinema” »

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Robin Williams was scheduled to perform at the Fox Theatre tonight, but according to the Fox’s website, he’s postponing the remainder of the Weapons of Self-Destruction Tour to “undergo surgery for an aortic valve replacement.” The tour is expected to resume in the fall, the site states, and ticketholders can expect their tickets to be honored once new dates are set.

“I’m so touched by everyone’s support and well wishes,” a quote from Williams said on the Fox site. “This tour has been amazing fun and I can’t wait to get back out on the road after a little tune-up.”

(Photo by Perry Julien)

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