The Avery Institute made by Blacks since the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, Robinson laments that“ Jim Crow would not go gently. It would have to be constantly pushed, shoved, confronted, harassed, obstructed, inconvenienced, and defied. It could not be given a moment’ s peace,” which is something he has tirelessly done throughout his journalism career.
A pivotal, full-circle moment for him came in 2015 when he returned to Charleston to cover the funerals for the nine victims of the Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre. Going back to the city where his great-great-grandfather was sold into slavery to cover a story fueled by the same racial hatred that generations of his family experienced, Robinson was flooded with emotions.
In a surprise twist, Robinson discovered the hotel he booked for his stay in Charleston had a significant connection to his family— one that I’ ll leave for readers to discover.
Eugene Robinson’ s book details a family history of determination and service that will inspire others to discover their own family’ s unique journey to freedom. n
Diane Harris is an avid reader and former marketing manager for USA TODAY.
Eugene Robinson