The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta is in the Grand Haven High School library. RatedBooks.org gives the book a rating of 3 which is equivalent to an R rated movie. GHAPS administrators say these books are saving lives.
Michael, a mixed-race Greek/Jamaican Londoner who is gay and loves to dress up in drag finds himself in this story. The first half of the book focuses on identity experiences at home and at school. In the second half of the book Michael is studying in the University and the book focuses on interactions with friends and potential boyfriends especially at nightclubs.
Michael notices how everyone dresses, purchases high heel shoes, smokes lots of weed, attends the drag society and visits gay night clubs. The book sends many messages including, smoking weed is normal, gender confusion is normal, one-night stands are normal, and white people think they are entitled. Like many books that seem to be showing up in school libraries across the country, this book undermines two-parent households. On page 85 Daisy says, “You’re lucky to have one parent. Two is a nightmare.” In addition, there are numerous derogatory references to skin color; “white fear”, “That’s just their general entitlement and privilege.”, “restricted by family expectations and childhood reputations.”
There is explicit sexual content.
p. 255
I ask him, “Can I kiss you?” and he says “Yes.”
I ask him, “Can I touch you?” and he says “Yes.”
I ask him, “Will you use a condom?” and he says “Yes.”
I ask him, “Will you stay the night?” and he says “Yes.”
p. 130
“I’m high on weed, about to lose my virginity in a graveyard. He hands me a small glass bottle full of liquid.”
I unscrew the top. “Do I drink it?”
“No, you hold it under your nose, like this, and inhale; it helps you to relax.”
……….. and on page 223 the title reads “Some Men Have Vaginas”…………….
Here’s a link to the RatedBooks.org review and many more quotes from the book.
Overall the book gets a rating of 3C.