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A review by stephsbooktalk
Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known by George M. Johnson
**I do not rate NF books**
Thank you so much to Storygram Tours, Fierce Reads, George Johnson for a gifted copy of this book!
This book will be out September 24th, 2024.
First off, if you have not read George's book All Boys Aren't Blue, please read immediately. Thank you.
Flamboyants is a beautiful collection of mini biographies are queer influencers of the Harlem Renaissance. Some are common names and others are not as well known.
"Queer people know who they are and what they feel."
Johnson's writing made this digestible for all ages and nothing was too high level that made it feel like you were being hit with so much information at once.
I have heard a lot of the names mentioned in this book but there was history within each of the biographies that I didn't know before. I was tabbing different passages throughout the book. We often use the phrase History repeats itself but also sometimes things just don't change at all. And in hearing the stories that this icons went through, it mirrors what those in the black queer communities are still going through.
Stories like these are important to have in libraries and in classrooms. These artists made such an impact in the early 1900s that are important in 2024. Johnson made the comment about how a lot of the authors, artists, performers that are listed in here, did not receive their flowers until after they were no longer here. And often time they were left poor and alone and never could fully be themselves publicly. Also one thing I never thought about was how we often think about the "first black person" who did this but what about those that came after?
"I write for our time, to help those here today. But the real work is done with the kid I'll never know a hundred years from now. And the person can use their work to help a kid one hundred years after that."
In addition to the information about these queer influencers, it is paired with gorgeous art by illustrator Charly Palmer. The colors are vibrant and showcase each these icons beautifully!
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning about a flamboyant group of individuals during a revolutionary time in America who are still impacting people today.
PS - I recommend listening to music from the Harlem Renaissance while reading to add to the learning experience!
Thank you so much to Storygram Tours, Fierce Reads, George Johnson for a gifted copy of this book!
This book will be out September 24th, 2024.
First off, if you have not read George's book All Boys Aren't Blue, please read immediately. Thank you.
Flamboyants is a beautiful collection of mini biographies are queer influencers of the Harlem Renaissance. Some are common names and others are not as well known.
"Queer people know who they are and what they feel."
Johnson's writing made this digestible for all ages and nothing was too high level that made it feel like you were being hit with so much information at once.
I have heard a lot of the names mentioned in this book but there was history within each of the biographies that I didn't know before. I was tabbing different passages throughout the book. We often use the phrase History repeats itself but also sometimes things just don't change at all. And in hearing the stories that this icons went through, it mirrors what those in the black queer communities are still going through.
Stories like these are important to have in libraries and in classrooms. These artists made such an impact in the early 1900s that are important in 2024. Johnson made the comment about how a lot of the authors, artists, performers that are listed in here, did not receive their flowers until after they were no longer here. And often time they were left poor and alone and never could fully be themselves publicly. Also one thing I never thought about was how we often think about the "first black person" who did this but what about those that came after?
"I write for our time, to help those here today. But the real work is done with the kid I'll never know a hundred years from now. And the person can use their work to help a kid one hundred years after that."
In addition to the information about these queer influencers, it is paired with gorgeous art by illustrator Charly Palmer. The colors are vibrant and showcase each these icons beautifully!
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning about a flamboyant group of individuals during a revolutionary time in America who are still impacting people today.
PS - I recommend listening to music from the Harlem Renaissance while reading to add to the learning experience!