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Kean Welcomes LGBTQIA+ Author for ‘Common Read’ Book Talk

Oct 12, 2022

Best-selling author George M. Johnson met with Kean students and faculty on October 11 for a reading and discussion of Johnson’s “memoir-manifesto” All Boys Aren’t Blue, this year’s Common Read selection at Kean.

A prominent LGBTQIA+ activist whose book was banned by dozens of school districts across the country, Johnson spoke of their personal story and its impact on individuals. Johnson uses the pronouns they/them.

“It was really exciting to know it was going to be on a college campus, read by students and reviewed,” said Johnson, who is from Plainfield. “It could shape the lives of so many students. It made it full circle.”

The author spoke at Wilkins Theatre on Kean’s Union campus on National Coming Out Day. One student came up to Johnson after his talk to thank the author and activist.

“That’s what I do this for,” Johnson said.

Kean’s Common Read, in its second year, encourages students across campus to read the same book. It works to build community, celebrate diversity and share an intellectual experience.

Common Read Coordinator Abriana Jetté, Ph.D., a lecturer in Kean’s School of English Studies, said the book was selected through a “diplomatic, beautiful” process involving a survey of faculty, staff and students. A list of 200 suggestions was winnowed to a “Top Five,” and the book was chosen with a final vote.

“I think we now have a spotlight on the diverse intersectional community that makes up our campus,” she said. “This program has given voice to students who feel pushed to the side. Our program combines the importance of personal growth and academic growth.”

Johnson began by taking questions from students about the writing process and current topics such as critical race theory. Students also gave their reactions to the book.

“I’ve gotten messages from fathers and mothers, saying the book has changed the way they’re parenting,” Johnson said. “I hear from parents trying to ban it, so I knew there was going to be support from the other side.”

Johnson read from the chapter about their grandmother, Nanny, who has passed away. 

“I had a home because Nanny ensured it,” Johnson read. “The way I grew up always knowing that I would have a friend in Nanny is the way I hope Black queer boys, who may never meet me but will hear and see my words, know they already have a friend in me.”

The event was organized by Kean’s School of English Studies; Human Rights Institute; Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; College of Liberal Arts; and General Studies. The Iota Rho Chapter of fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha also presented Johnson with a certificate of recognition and members of the fraternity performed.

Students said they got a sense of community in the Common Read and found the book inspirational.

“No matter the trauma they went through, they just kept going. It was eye-opening to see someone come out the other side,” said Adam Samet, a senior English writing major from North Brunswick. “It wasn’t a book I felt like I had to keep reading, I enjoyed picking it up.” 

Senior Brittney Kennedy of Union, an elementary education/English major, read the book with her grandmother, Sheila Kennedy of Newark, and was accompanied by her grandmother at the reading.

Melody Guerra, a freshman medical technology major from Haledon, said the event was important.

“Kean University is a very diverse school, so it’s good to hear others’ perspectives. Everyone comes together and you need to be comfortable with the diversity,” Guerra said. 

The book was featured in a filmed dramatic reading, available on Amazon Prime Video, which received the GLAAD Media Award. It is also in development as a series, Johnson said.

In the audience were many of Johnson’s family members, including the writer’s parents, Kaye and Gregory Johnson of Plainfield. Kaye Johnson said the author “always spoke up,” even when young.

“I’m so proud,” Kaye Johnson said. “I never imagined it would go to this level.”

Kean University is hosting a screening of the dramatic reading of All Boys Aren’t Blue on Tuesday, November 28 during Common Hour (3:30-4:30 p..m.) in the Miron Student Center Little Theatre.

PHOTOS: Common Read

A wide shot of a stage that has 4 black chairs spaced out in a half circle, and each chair has a standing microphone next to it. From (L-R) seated is a Black female student with short black hair, wearing long gray, baggy pants, a light gray sweater with a white undershirt, and black slip ons, a brown chair with two small water bottles on the top of it is in between the next chair, who sits the Author, George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with
A wide shot of theater seats that are filled by a diverse group of students. One student, a Black female with curly black and blonde hair, wearing glasses and a white sleeveless turtleneck and plaid gray and tan pants, is standing in the middle of the crowd towards the stage, holding a microphone with her right hand, and speaking into it to ask the author a question.
A wide shot of a stage that has 4 black chairs spaced out in a half circle, and each chair has a standing microphone next to it. From (L-R) seated is a Black female student with short black hair, wearing long gray, baggy pants, a light gray sweater with a white undershirt, and black slip ons, a brown chair with two small water bottles on the top of it is in between the next chair, who sits the Author, George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with
A close up shot of George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with the year “1907” on it, and an uppercase “T” in the middle of the year in a mustard yellow color, and black boots. They are standing behind a brown podium, with a Kean logo on the front, talking into a microphone, and gesturing to the crowd.
A wide shot of three Kean University students, Black males wearing black pants, black jackets, and black shoes, mid-dance as they perform for the crowd on stage. They are all lined up next to each other, spaced out.
Author George M. Johnson is posing with three other Kean University students. (L-R) A Black male with curly short black hair, wearing black pants with a black jacket. A Black male with short curly black hair, wearing black glasses, black pants, and a black and yellow fraternity sweater. Author George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with the year “1907” on it, and an uppercase “T” in the middle of the year in a mustard yellow color, holding a ce
A wide shot of a 2 table long display that has 4 towers holding cupcakes, LGBTQ+ flags, and copies of the book, All Boys Aren’t Blue. The tables have navy table clothes on them.
A 3 tiered turning table that is holding cupcakes. In the middle are rainbow cupcakes with blue icing, and on the top and bottom are rainbow cupcakes with vanilla frosting, and a picture of the book, All Boys Aren’t blue.
A wide shot of a Kean faculty member, a Black female with black hair, and glasses, wearing a black shirt and gray pants. She is behind tables that are holding cupcakes for students, and on the other side of the table are a diverse group of students waiting in line for a cupcake.
A wide shot of George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with the year “1907” on it, and an uppercase “T” in the middle of the year in a mustard yellow color, sitting behind a table that has a Kean tablecloth on it in navy blue and white lettering. They are holding the book, All Boys Aren’t Blue, and a sharpie marker, handing it back to a student who is to the left of him in the photo. The student is a Latinx male with dark puffy hair pulled back
Photo of George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with the year “1907” on it, and an uppercase “T” in the middle of the year in a mustard yellow color, and black boots, standing in the middle of a diverse group of students and faculty in front of a backsplash that is light blue, and has the Kean logo all over it.
Photo of 3 Kean University students. On the left, a Black female with blue and black hair in pigtails, wearing a gray t-shirt, and black pants. In the middle, a Black female with dark brown hair with light brown highlights in her ponytail, with a mask sitting under her chin, wearing a pink, purple, and blue marble long sleeve shirt and blue jeans, holding the book, All Boys Aren’t Blue. On the right, a Latinx female, with dark brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a green zip-up sherpa and black pants, holding
Photo of 3 Kean University students. On the left, a Black female with short black curly hair and black glasses, wearing a white crew neck, and black pants. In the middle stands a white female with short dirty blonde hair, wearing a gray long sleeve shirt and black leggings. On the right is a white female with long red hair and round, clear glasses, wearing a purple short sleeve shirt, and a black and white plaid skirt and black stockings. All 3 students are holding the book, All Boys Aren’t Blue, and smilin
Photo of George M. Johnson, a Black male with black buzzed-cut hair wearing long black pants, a black crew neck with the year “1907” on it, and an uppercase “T” in the middle of the year in a mustard yellow color, and black boots, standing up next to a door that has Kean University’s logo in the center, and the Progress Pride Flag on the bottom of the door. George has his right arm holding the top of the door. He is smiling at the camera.

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