The exciting new groundbreaking book by George M. Johnson, "Flamboyants: the Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known," is an empowering book written specifically for high school students, but one that can be enjoyed by all. Johnson is also the author of the book "We are Not Broken," and the best-selling author of the memoir "All the Boys Aren't Blue."
The author dedicated his new book to those "who choose to live their unapologetic truths despite a world that continues to try to dim their light."
It's been a century since the artistic experimentation of the Harlem Renaissance gave birth to jazz, the music art form, in the roaring 1920s and 1930s. Without a doubt it was "one of the queerest historical periods," Johnson writes.
Johnson, who identifies as nonbinary, is one of the most banned authors in the U.S. today. In particular, he has been banned from school libraries.
"...as a Black queer child, I had the right to know that Black queer people existed before me. They paved the road for me to walk on. Yet that road was hidden from me and so many others," they write.
This non-fiction biographical book is divided into a dozen brilliant essays that fill in personal information about 12 of the most beloved artists of the Harlem Renaissance. It's a candid behind-the-scenes look at who these master artists were as individuals, and what they might think about today's current junction in history.
"Flamboyants" also provides useful historical context within a truly outstanding creative format to help readers get a real sense of the historical period. Johnson does so through their own original poetry, and beautiful illustrations by Charly Palmer. The colorful, kinetically flamboyant two-page paintings at the start of each essay make "Flamboyants" highly appealing to young people as well.
Artists featured in "Flamboyants" include performer Josephine Baker (on the book cover) who made her mark in France, writer Langston Hughes, writer Zora Neale Hurston, as well as a number of artists who are not well-known today like Alain Locke, Ma Rainey, and Ethel Waters.
It should be noted that although Zora Neale Hurston was admired at the height of her career, she died in poverty, her eight books long out-of-print. Fortunately for us, her legacy was revived in 1975 by Alice Walker in an article for Ms. magazine. Fame is ephemeral and requires constant renewal.
Readers gain a sense of who the artists are as people through a series of fictional conversations. To his credit, the author does not shy away from difficult truths, as when they write about Josephine Baker being homophobic against her own son, even as she was a symbol of sexual liberation, and similar revelations about the private lives of the artists.
The influence of Black culture
Black culture and Black queer culture in particular are far more influential than most Americans realize. This is an important takeaway from this innovative book. The author documents the direct impact of the queer Harlem Renaissance on today's queer culture, and Black queer culture today.
Indeed, Black culture is at the forefront of artistic innovation. It is Black culture, in many ways, that has made American culture so appealing on the world stage. From the early days of rock and roll, for example, Elvis Presley and Pat Boone built their extremely successful careers almost entirely on the music of Black and Black queer musicians, like Little Richard.
In the end, perhaps the most amazing fact to emerge from "Flamboyants" is that individual artists and groups of artists can influence history even if they have been left out of it.
'Flamboyants: the Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known' by George M. Johnson, McMillan Publishers, $18.99. us.macmillan.com
www.iamgmjohnson.com
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay -- Donate today!
