A review by lixard
Officer Clemmons by François S. Clemmons

reflective slow-paced

3.5

You taught me forgiveness and love. For you, forgiveness and love were action verbs, and it was imperative to live their true meaning one day at a time. 
I'm glad I read this. Though it's a simplistic retelling of a lot of  Clemmon's life, it's definitely a worthwhile life and perspective to read from - a gay male classically trained singer living through post-WW2 era until now. Very frustrating, the roadblocks he must've faced, I felt even as an observer, not even mentioning the constant fear and anxiety he must have endured for decades.

As a piece of literature, I would've preferred if it had been written not as a recount, but maybe a series of essays, perhaps each with a central theme. It may have been easier to read through if there was a driving force behind the narrative. Instead, it felt a bit boggled down by all of the people he's met and all the places he performed at. For example, one section on the people he met at uni, and what those relationships meant to him,
leading to him and Nicky declaring their love for each other OR his friends helping to entertain his mom when she visited so that he wouldn't have to face her alone, etc.
Though, it is definitely his (VERY IMPRESSIVE) life and he deserves to tell it the way he prefers.

I was definitely not of the era who watched Mr. Roger's on tv, but I could feel his energy, his vibe, just through the way people online and in his personal life talked about him. He really did believe in his show and providing children with good role models on tv and in their own lives. After I watched (and bawled at) his 2018 biopic last night, I could feel his sincerity and how it carried over to the other people in his life, as well as those who had the opportunity to interact with him, however short. His commencement speeches in particular ripped out my heart <3. 
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