Fighting Words with George M. Johnson
George M. Johnson knows how to counterpunch the culture wars. ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE, their memoir of growing up Black and Queer in America, is currently the second-most banned book in America. And that distinction has pushed George to the frontlines of the fight for freedom of expression. “Fighting Words” is George’s chance to bring listeners into the ring with some of today’s most talented, outspoken and courageous creative people, people ready, willing and able to use their words to fight back against intolerance, fear, censorship and marginalization. Each week George talks to someone about their work making culture that takes on the topics some people seem afraid to talk about. It’s a conversation that goes deep but stays light – fleet, fast and fearless. And each episode gives George a chance to shine a light on new music, timeless wisdom and some of today’s rising stars.
Episodes
George is joined this week by writer and cartoonist Maia Kobabe, whose illustrated memoir Gender Queer was the most challenged book of 2021, 2022 and 2023. Maia talks about what it's like to have your labor of love attacked and misconstrued, other writers who inspired the book, and why e're so excited for the next generation of Queer storytellers to come of age.
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George is joined by Nigerian-American journalist Rita Omokha. Rita talks about her new book Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America and getting young activists to realize their power. This week's Queer Artist's Spotlight is on 'T4T by Neverending Nina (feat 2AM Ricky).
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George is joined by actress, author and legendary Ballroom mother Dominique Jackson. Dominique talks about how playing the role of Elektra on the series Pose changed her life, embracing life as an introvert, and why you should always read the comments. This week's Queer Artist's Spotlight is on “Stop Killing Us” by Neverending Nina.
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George is joined by the legendary author Sapphire. Her 1996 novel Push was adapted into the 2009 movie Precious, which won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Sapphire talks about what it's like to have her book banned, the authors who inspired her, and how art can heal trauma.
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George is joined by Bob the Drag Queen to discuss his new novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, losing his mother right before filming the Emmy award-winning reality show Traitors, and why we need more class solidarity. This episode's Queer Artist Spotlight is on "Queen of the Underground", one of Bob's two original songs that come with the audio version of his new book.
This episode was edited and s...
George is joined by the iconic Gabrielle Union. An actress (Bring It On, The Inspection), producer, activist and author of three books, Gabrielle talks to George about on-set drama being dredged up from the past, how to get the best work out of her fellow creatives, and what it's like raising a trans child in Trump's America. This week’s queer artist spotlight is “Locked In” by Damez.
George is joined by New York Times Best-selling YA fiction author Nic Stone. Nic comes on to celebrate the release of her 14th book, Dear Manny, to talk with George about being banned authors, and how to continue creating during a period of heightened censorship and conservative backlash. This week’s queer artist spotlight is on “Amusement” by Victor Jackson.
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George is joined by Franchesca Ramsey, the actress, writer, activist and comedian extraordinaire. Franchesca's web series "Shit White Girls Say...to Black Girls" went viral in 2014, and ever since she has been balancing entertainment and activism as a true multi-hyphenate. She hosted a show for MTV, wrote a book called Well,That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist, and recently hosted a podcast looking...
George is joined Sabrina Strings PhD, author and professor at UC Santa Barbara. They discuss why dating feels like such a disaster, the history and meaning of DEI, how white supremacy has coopted rap music, and how romance has colonized love. This week's Queer Artist Spotlight is ‘The Front Row’ by Bang Garçon.
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George is joined by actress, director, producer and activist Erika Alexander. You know her from Get Out, American Fiction, and her legendary role in one of George's all-time favorite shows, Living Single. That character was so influential, it has its own name in social psychology: data has shown that her role inspired numerous Black women to go into law, a phenomenon known as the Maxine Shaw Effect. We talk to her about staying rel...
George is joined by author and producer Darnell Moore, whose debut memoir won a LAMDA Literary Award. Darnell was one of the first people to read George’s book proposal for All Boys Aren’t Blue, and has been a guiding force for many young authors. They get into the importance of Black mentorship, Black care, and Darnell reveals what it's like bringing his vision to Netflix. Todays' Queer Artist Spotlight is on “Li...
George is joined by Angelica Ross, the actress, musician, businesswoman and activist known for her iconic roles on Pose and American Horror Story. Angelica talks about holding her head high and keeping her integrity in Hollywood, or as Angelica calls it, "the industry of pick-mes." This episode’s Queer Artist Spotlight is on Angelica’s song “Grand Theft Lover.”
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George M. Johnson is joined by the journalist and producer Keith Boykin to talk about quitting the White House to write a memoir about being Black and gay, and the ways in which history is repeating itself right before our eyes. This episode's Queer Artist Spotlight is on "All Boys Aren't Blue" by Julian King.
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Author and activist George M. Johnson gets into the ring with some of today’s most talented and outspoken creative people who use their words to fight back against intolerance.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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