Dear Prospective Contributor, As a people, African-Americans have endured a long history of others tampering with our identity. It’s my belief that the relentless bombardment of images that degrade, diminish, and disparage our individual and collective temperament, has led to artificial perceptions about what we think of ourselves and how we are viewed by society at-large. The consequence of living under various stereotypes has resulted in an identity crisis, which is played out daily as a blanket testimony of the African-American experience. A comprehensive review of all forms of communication reveals that the Black community is grossly misunderstood. This confusion puts all of us in jeopardy. So what do we do? What can we do to set the record straight? Many people, both inside and outside of our race, prefer not to look at the various circumstances that have led to our current state of affairs, and instead only focus on the result. While scores of books have attempted to explore the psyche of African-American people, what’s been glaringly missing is our collective voice in this conversation. It is time for us, as African-Americans, to speak out about our identity, issues and lives. “Family Affair: Deconstructing the African-American Identity,” will debunk and demystify misconceptions about the African-American community. This book will offer reflections on the social and political ideologies that shape us. Culled from the first-hand experiences and As a contributor, I ask that you provide an essay in the form of a personal anecdote, and/or from a historical perspective. Please, include in the essay your personal ideas regarding “A Plan of Action for Positive and Systemic Change.” It is my desire that your powerful words offer suggestions on how to alter our current state of affairs – not merely highlight them. I know your original and first-person narrative for this project will evoke strong, honest emotions about the plethora of themes and issues that resonate deeply within our community. I strongly believe your work will open the door for African-Americans to reestablish our voice, offering a more accurate representation of just how diverse our community is. Essays should range from 500 – 2,500 words. Please note that the scope of this project is not limited to prolific writers, although several will be included. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for a wide-range of experiences and perspectives to be heard. However, if you would prefer to be interviewed for this project and have a first-person essay written for your approval, arrangements can be made. Please, take a moment to review the chapters for this project, and feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have. I may be contacted by telephone at (310) 310-281-1960 or via email at info@familyaffairbook.com. Yours in the struggle, Gil Robertson IV |
perspectives of its contributors, Family Affair will provide a rare opportunity for African-Americans to set the record straight – in terms that we define for ourselves. A wide range of topics will be explored that include: Black Images, Standards of Beauty, The Status of our Relationships, Identity, Politics and Cultural Rehabilitation. Contributors to the project will represent a cross-section of African-Americans – from the famous to the everyday individual – with each providing valuable insights that permeate the complete spectrum of the African-American experience. 