#18: All Boys Aren't Blue
I want to immortalize this narrative of joy and pain, this narrative of triumph and tragedy, this narrative of the Black queer experience that has been erased from the history books. An existence that has been here forever.
All Boys Aren't Blue
George M. Johnson
Year Published: 2020
Pages: 297
Genres: YA nonfiction, memoir, LGBTQ+ literature
Topics: Sexuality, race, identity, gender norms, race/gender intersectionality
Recognition
Summary
Note: Since the publication of All Boys Aren't Blue, Johnson has adopted they/them pronouns. However, since they use he/him pronouns in the memoir itself, I have maintained them only in this summary for the purpose of continuity.
George Matthew Johnson—"Matt" to his family—was born in 1985 in Plainfield, New Jersey. His father was a police officer and his mother worked two jobs, including running a hair salon. His grandmother Nanny was the family matriarch, organizing family get-togethers, keeping order, and, most importantly, offering unconditional love to her grandkids.
From a young age, George knew he was different. Most of his friends at school were girls; he would gossip, crack jokes, and jump double-Dutch with them at recess. He used word like "honeychild," and even though he was a very good athlete, other boys warned him that he should stop acting like such a "sissy" (sometimes they used stronger words). And George had to navigate all these difficulties as a young Black boy. As he says himself, white people see him first as Black, and Black people see him first as gay.
All Boys Aren't Blue is George's own story of his younger years, from childhood through college graduation, as he experiences both love and prejudice and learns what it means to be queer and Black. Most importantly, the book is a "manifesto" written to reach young boys like him who may not have the best kind of love or guidance in their own lives.
All Boys Aren't Blue and Me
I'd heard of All Boys Aren't Blue as one of the most challenged and banned books in America since its publication. Because one of the goals I set myself for this project was reading some of these frequently banned books, I knew I had to check out All Boys Aren't Blue.
One thing that really stood out to me about Johnson's memoir was how much emphasis they placed on the love and sense of belonging they felt in their own family. While Johnson definitely details the trauma they experienced growing up Black and queer, I thought it was very interesting—and inspiring—that they made sure that the reader knew that they had had both supportive family members and close friends, despite the challenges they faced. And I was very moved by Johnson's desire to reach young boys like him who may not have role models in their lives to help them navigate their identities. They are sometimes astoundingly open about their past in a way that requires a tremendous amount of courage. Even with that, the book is a pretty easy, fast, and sometimes even funny read, and it's definitely worth checking out.
Johnson has written other books on the Black queer experience, and I realize that this represents a gap in my own knowledge. I am interested in reading their book Flamboyants, about the history of queer people in the Harlem Renaissance.
Teaching Considerations
Young Adult: Because of its frankness with sexual matters, I don't think I would recommend All Boys Aren't Blue for anyone younger than 16 to read on their own. However, with adult guidance it could be appropriate for slightly younger ages as well.
Sensitive Content: All Boys Aren't Blue contains two chapters that deal explicitly with sex, including sexual abuse by a family member. Because Johnson wants to reach young readers who may have experienced something similar, they don't pull any punches, and readers should be prepared for graphic descriptions of their sexual experiences. The book also contains homophobic and racial slurs, as well as homophobia and racism in other forms throughout.
Small Group or Individual Read: I think All Boys Aren't Blue is probably most powerful encountered one-on-one, but because of its more mature themes, I think students could also benefit from reading it in a group to allow for discussion. The book has proven a lightning rod for controversy, so it might be difficult to teach as a whole-class read, but I believe it should be available to students grappling some of these issues of identity.
The Influence of Family and Friends: Johnson devotes much of their memoir to their family and friends and how they supported Johnson during their difficult years growing up. Students could use Johnson's memoir as a starting point to explore how their own family and friends have influenced them and helped them through difficult times, with students writing their own mini-memoir as a project.
Read-Aloud Passages
- I was five years old when my teeth were kicked out. ... What happened the day before was to be forgotten, or better yet, buried. (pp. 24-28)
- Five-year-old George and their cousins are jumped by a group of kids who badly beat George. It's a tough passage for its visceral violence, but it's an experience I think many kids might be able to understand or relate to, even if they've never necessarily been beaten that badly.
- Football and basketball became my new thing. ... You don't have to be either. (pp. 77-80)
- George makes some male friends once they realize they are good at "boy" sports, even though they miss jumping rope with their girl friends like they used to. This passage confronts the myth that sports are purely "masculine" and that queer people aren't interested in them. It ends with a direct address to the reader, telling them they don't have to be bound by arbitrary gender distinctions.
- Our time in California remains one of my best memories ... I was happy that day. (pp. 107-110)
- While all of George's cousins ask their grandmother to buy them popular sneakers, George asks for cowboy boots, confusing their family but making them happy. I wanted to include one passage from the book that represents the fun and positive relationship George has with their family, and this is a pretty funny episode.
Liked All Boys Aren't Blue? Try These:
- Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956)
- We Are Not Broken by George M. Johnson (2021)
- Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa (2023)
Hi Andrew, I read this book as well and did my passion project on the author. It was one hell of a read and afterwards I felt like I jus needed to sit with myself and think. What a life Johnson has lived, full of trials and hurt but also love and acceptance. I agree with you that this book would be a powerful read for students, and many would benefit to potentially read with an adult/adult figure to discuss the challenging and hurtful sections. After I did my research on Johnson, it is heartwarming to see who they have become as a Black and queer author. "Flamboyants" is on my list as well, and I'm looking forward to reading about parts of the Harlem Renaissance.
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