It seems of late that many families who seldom considered coming together as one big fat family are giving it serious thought. So who’s behind the growing sensation to celebrate family ties igniting the family reunion fire? Is it an African American sensation that's gaining momentum such momentum that other cultures are falling in line or are other factors causing the great family reunion movement? Lets examine the hype vs. the facts.

One factor leading to the opinion that the family reunion movement orginates with African American families is a considerable amount of media blitz centered around African American family reunion celebrations.

A recent blockbuster movie called Madea's Family Reunion centered on social issues impacting an African American family in need of strength and support made possible only from a reunion of four generations of family. If anything the movie ignited controversy regarding the quality of relationships and how to deal with strained marital relationships and juvenile discipline issues. Still Tyler Perry’s movie, featuring world renowned award winning actress Cicely Tyson and Philanthropist/ Poet and writer Maya Angelou and the ever popular Blair Underwood, is now in the main stream of American entertainment and with that the issues associated with family life and family reunion events.

Hype Factor: The Media seems to crank out more top 10 hits based on family reunions by Black artists than others. Among the more popular songs about family reunion celebrations are the following:

The Ojays "Family Reunion". Al Greens "Love and Happiness", Sly & The Family Stones "It's a family affair", "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge reached #2 in 1979, Lionel Richies recent award winning album "Coming Home" with 75,000 copies sold in its first week out. And then there are the scores of line dance remixes by black artists.

Aside from the hype factor surrounding family reunions celebrated by African Americans in the entertainment world over the past 30 years there are other significant underlying reasons as to what is igniting the fire to celebrate ones family ties.