Read this in my ongoing effort to read books that are being banned. This was a bracing, direct, candid memoir of growing up Black and queer in America. The "manifesto" part is woven throughout as the message for the reader that they can also "live in [their] totality" (page 12). This is a book for young adults -- and I am not a young adult -- but I can easily imagine readers taking solace from Johnson's writing, being inspired by his words, and learning that they are not alone. Johnson reveals several painful episodes of his life that must have been difficult (and brave!) to write, but also reveals a family that surrounded him with love.