All Boys Aren't Blue (2020) By George M Johnson

 

All Boys Aren’t Blue is the #1 target of book banners in the United States.

The American Library Association compiles an annual list of books targeted for banning. The complaint filers are interesting: per the ALA, 72% of book ban attempts are initiated by public officials egged on by campaigns organized by far-right political organizations, not by individuals. Interestingly, only 16% are initiated by parents.

To no surprise, four of the top ten books on the 2024 targeted list, including All Boys Aren’t Blue, are there because of “pro” LGBTQ subjects and/or authors. The political far-right just can’t stop bashing LGBTQ people for political gain -- just look at this year’s constant bashing of trans individuals if you don’t believe that. What better way in their minds to distract voters away from issues like corruption or billionaire tax breaks? But ask one of them if they personally know, or even know of, a trans person and you will get a blank stare.

The argument of course is they are protecting their children. From what? From exposure to the real world? So, what, they want their children to enter the real world without a clue? LGBTQ people have existed throughout history. At what age do they think becoming aware of gay people would be okay, 30, 50 70?

And then there is the issue of statistics. Let’s say All Boys Aren’t Blue is in a library. In all likelihood there will be at least 5,000 (small library) to 100,000+ (university library) other books there too. The impact will be none, with one important exception.

The exception is the person utilizing the library because they are or think they might be LGBTQ. Dick and Jane do not cover that topic. Parents emphatically do not discuss that topic. The bullshit in the locker room is not helpful. And religious organizations are likely to condemn it, or at minimum ignore it. The common early question among all gay people is this: am I the only one? There is a reason that LGBTQ kids are twice as likely to commit suicide. People who want to “protect” children are responsible for that statistic.

Imagine, if a kid had even one nonjudgemental resource to turn to.

If you are a Black “sissy,” or a White, Latino, Asian one, looking for answers there is no better starting point than George Johnson’s memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue.

Recommendation: Yes.