Where Did Our Love Go: Love and Relationships in the African-American Community - Softcover

Praise for Where Did Our Love Go: Love and Relationships in the African-American Community"Where Did Our Love Go provides a forum for African-Americans to share their voices, to give their perspective and feedback on the 'love problem' that exists in our community." News Blaze"Analyzing the trouble in black America and what may be leading to fractured families all over America, 'Where Did Our Love Go' is an enticing and much recommended addition to black studies and social studies collections." Midwest Book Review"The successful commoditization of dysfunctional black relationships continues to rule reality TV at the same time that a picture-perfect black First Couple occupies the White House. Somewhere between that absurd paradox lies a deeper truth, which is what makes the book Where Did Our Love Go: Love and Relationships in the African-American Community such a conversation piece." Creative Loafing Atlanta "Where Did Our Love Go proves to be a most informative and entertaining read, at least in terms of the individual contributors' intimate experiences." The New Tri-State Defender "What this anthology does is offer multiple platforms from which to draw strength and support to fight the good fight. If Black love is important to you and crucial to you, your friends and family, Where Did Our Love Go embraces both sides while sacrificing none." Knowshi.comPRAISE FOR GIL L. ROBERTSON'S FAMILY AFFAIR:"Concise and thought-provoking, [these stories] deserve to be savored." Publishers Weekly starred review"Family Affair is about who we are and how our past has shaped us. It reflects the prism of the individual and collective black experience in contemporary America, which is just as varied and colorful as the different shades of our skin. Being black in America is not a one-size-fits-all proposition." Terrie Williams, author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting"Congrats to Gil Robertson for not only figuring a way to take the collective pulse of African-Americana but for distilling the essence of his research into an informative and eloquent cultural tapestry destined to stand the test of time." Kam Williams"Confidence, self-respect and a sense of purpose. Those are the strengths of Gil Robertson, bestselling author and syndicated lifestyle journalist, hopes children will gain from reading his new series..." Black Voices on Books"It's no secret that the African-American community is in crisis...The fundamental reasons for this dysfunction stems from an identity that's been thrown off course due to a number of external and internal factors. Family Affair addresses this imbalance, offering revelations and insights on issues and topics that the majority of African Americans only talk about in secret." Philadelphia Tribune"Family Affair doesn't pretend to have the final answer or be the ultimate authority on topics involving African Americans, but it is among the most extensive and informative surveys documenting contemporary thoughts and ideas from an intriguing array of black Americans ever compiled." Nashville City Paper"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." Culture Surfing"All real, all authentic stories that paint a picture of just how diverse we really are even in our own race. If you're an avid reader and looking for a book of stories of your reality, [Family Affair] is very thought provoking and will make you reflect on your own inner self." Hip Hop WiredPRAISE FOR GIL L. ROBERTSON'S NOT IN MY FAMILY:"A compilation of 58 short essays and one poem from a broad spectrum of AfricanAmericans giving their opinions, reactions and counsel on the subject of HIV and AIDS." Kirkus Reviews"A collection of essays and first-person stories from everyday and well-known contributors...who uncover our denial in dealing with the most threatening menace of our time." Ylonda Gault Caviness, Essence"The full power of this book rises from the personal testimonies of African Americans writing from varied sexual, gender, class, and lifestyle perspectives." Publishers Weekly"Not In My Family presents powerful stories about a scourge on the African-American community, and offers insight that can likely lead to effective change." Ebony"Though the collection includes diverse perspectives on how to address the epidemic, information about HIV/AIDS is presented accurately; all of the essays approach the subject with compassion rather than judgment or intolerance. Taken together, these essays send a powerful message: take care of yourselves, take care of one another, and speak out." Library Journal highly recommended"The first time a cross-section of prominent African Americans has combined forces in a book designed to urge the black community, especially families, to come to grips with the AIDS epidemic." Curtis Taylor, Newsday"Grips its readers from the opening words...This candid compilation pokes its head into the darkest corners of the African-American psyche and experience...Not In My Family is a guide and an icebreaker. It is thought provoking, sincere and heartfelt. It is necessary." Upscale"Give your teenager this important book and make sure it's read. Protect yourself. And hope that the story of AIDS and African Americans is one that changes very, very soon." Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez

Where Did Our Love Go?, an anthology of essays written by many major public figures and celebrities, will explore the substantive issues related to marital problem in the African-American community. From the "my baby's mama" syndrome to the more serious implications of what a generation of single-parent households will mean to future generations, this comprehensive collection will provide an in-depth discourse on the trends and issues that have caused the problematic behaviors within African-American relationships to persist with little sign of relief. The book will consist of a total of 40 essays divided equally into 4 lifestyle categories (single, married, divorced, and widowed), to present a wide cross section of perspectives on this subject.Marriage plays an essential role in maintaining the vitality and character of a community, so it is deeply unsettling for many African Americans to find that the value of this institution has lost its allure. While marriage among African Americans has always fallen below the average of other population segments, the gap today has grown so pronounced that the subject has sparked an intense national dialogue.A 2006 Washington Post article, "Is Marriage for White People," created waves of controversy on the issue. In 2010, Nightline dedicated an entire broadcast to this growing crisis. The marriage gap in Black America has become such an open secret that it's now the source of endless bad jokes and prime time reality shows. The statistics even back this up, as according to the U.S. Census, 43.3% of black men and 41.9% of black women in America have never been married, and the rate of decline is nearly twice the national average.Marriage is a rite of passage that is fundamental to every culture, which underscores the tremendous need for an active dialogue to take place that will lay a foundation for discovery. With essays from 50 Cent, Viola Davis, Jabari Asim, Darnell Williams, Faith Evans, Mara Brock Akil, and more, Where Did Our Love Go? will ignite the fight for that conversation to begin.