Officer Clemmons
Author: François S. Clemmons
Publisher: Catapult
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Note: Trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the full review.
Cover Description
Details the incredible life story of François Clemmons, beginning with his early years in Alabama and Ohio, marked by family trauma and loss, through his studies as a music major at Oberlin College, where Clemmons began to investigate and embrace his homosexuality, to a chance encounter with Fred Rogers which changed the whole course of both men’s lives, leading to a deep, spiritual friendship and mentorship spanning nearly forty years.
When he earned the role as “Officer Clemmons” on the award-winning television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Clemmons made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children’s program. A new, wide world opened for Francois — but one which also required him to make painful personal choices, and sacrifices.
From New York to the Soviet Union, Berlin to California, Clemmons has performed for audiences around the world, and remains a beloved figure. Evocative and intimate, and buoyed by its author’s own vivacious, inimitable energy, Officer Clemmons chronicles a historical and enlightening life and career of a man who has brought joy to millions of adults and children, across generations and borders.
TL;DR Review
Officer Clemmons is a moving, quick-reading memoir that offers so much more than another perspective on Fred Rogers.
For you if: You like memoirs in general, particularly those by queer people of color; you loved Mister Rogers.
Full Review
Thank you so much to Catapult and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy; this book will be published on May 5, 2020.
Officer Clemmons is a memoir by the man who played the character of that name on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, François S. Clemmons. And what an incredible life to describe — François grew up Black and gay in a segregated America with a traumatic family life. He went on to receive undergraduate, graduate, and honorary doctorate degrees in music and became a successful vocalist, touring the country in operas, winning a grammy, and founding the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble before eventually settling down to teach.
And so this book isn’t about Fred Rogers (although he plays a prominent role in the second half); it’s about François. Because, as François says in the book’s first few pages, we cannot understand the profound effect that Fred — professional mentor, dedicated father figure — had on François’s life without that other context first. In fact, I have only vague memories of watching the show, and I still loved this book.
And François does the story justice. He writes well. The parts of this book that take place before he met Fred are just a resonant and interesting as the parts after. I was particularly drawn in when he talked about his lifelong struggle with his gender and sexuality. He gives his story space while also moving the book’s pace along nicely; it’s not a super long book.
You should read this one; I think you’ll like it a lot.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic abuse
Suicide
Racism and homophobia
Statutory rape (mentioned)
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