“In this country, sex is still taboo.
Sex education is still taboo, too.”
Enter George M. Johnson.
“In this country, sex is still taboo. Sex education is still taboo, too."
The author, journalist, and activist published their memoir,All Boys Aren’t Blue,in 2020.
For Black History Month, I spoke with George M. Johnson about creating such an impactful piece of literature.
Read what they told BuzzFeed ahead.
BuzzFeed: You share a lot in your memoir,All Boys Arent Blue.
What was most cathartic for you to share?
She said she saw the controversy around my book and decided to read it.
I said, “Yeah.”
She said, “Well, that person is a relative of mine.
We had interesting family conversations about his ideas and racism.
Was there anything in the book that you were hesitant to share?
Yeah, my first sexual experience.
It has become a point of controversy.
When I first wrote the book, I did not write that chapter as vividly.
I wrote it very cerebral and very technical [when I was describing] what was happening.
In this country, sex is still taboo.
Sex education is still taboo, too.
Sexual assault and rape culture is ingrained into the history of this country.
The resounding feedback that comes to me is, “This book saved my life.”
I get that from teen readers.
I’ve gotten emails from them talking about their suicidal ideations and feeling so alone.
A few weeks ago, someone wrote a beautiful review of my book.
That is why it is important.
There are quite a few people who feelyour book isn’t appropriatefor young adults to read.
We know that there’sa high percentage of children and young adults who experience sexual assault.
This information is necessary.
The lie is that my book is introducing them to these topics.
Most young adults already know.
They just want clarity and that’s what [my book provides].
How has the book ban controversy affected your personal life?
I’m a target because of [it].
Even as opportunities are afforded, my safety is not afforded to me.
My visibility doesn’t give me carte blanc safety, it has reduced my safety.
I get death threats and followed in the airport from people who recognize my face.
My family also gets threatened online.
It will serve as a point of entry for generations to come.
[An excerpt of my book] was read aloud during a Senate Judiciary hearing.
Someone recently tagged me on Instagram and described the book as an “instant classic.”
It’s been listed as [one of the best] Black queer memoirs of all time.
Could you have predicted any of this for yourself?
I knew the book would have its challenges, but I never knew it would look like this.
I couldn’t have foreshadowed that a nationwide book ban was coming.
I never knew that my book would become a part of a cultural topic.
Hope is a good thing but sometimes hope turns into inaction.
What action are we taking to make things get better?
That’s dope that we can make a way out of no way.
For Black folks and Black queer folks, hope ain’t always been the driver.
Hopelessness is also a driving force in many of the things that we have today.
The moments when I feel hopeless are the times when I’m most creative.
I know that my imagination is where my Black liberation resides.
Use your creativity to create some of the social change that you want to see in the world.
What is your vision for the next generation of Black queer people?
At some point, it just makes no sense.
We are of a shared race, we are all Black.
Whether LGBTQIA+ or not, we are all Black.
And they say, “Thank you.
Now you’re next.”
They don’t say, “Thank you” and give you a prize.
I hope the next generation realizes we have to protectallof us.
What do you want your contributions to Black history to be?
I want my contribution to be that the stories inAll Boys Aren’t Bluehave always existed.
The job now becomes for other Black queer people to share their story.
Let’s start telling our stories.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a celebration of those who come before us.
I love the fact that many of us are now highlighting queer folk who were pioneers of Black history.
Black History Month used to be a day, now it’s a month.
Let’s make it all year.
Thanks for chatting with us, George!
Be sure to keep up with George M. Johnsonhere.
you’ve got the option to also search for your local centerhere.
TheNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineis 1-800-273-8255.
