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.
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