The book selection for Northern Michigan University's annual Common Reader Program (CRP) is Tourmaline's “Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson,” which was published this past May.
“Marsha” is a national bestseller about the revolutionary activist, considered one of the most important and remarkable figures in LGBTQIA+ history. It reveals her story, impact and legacy.
The book chronicles Johnson's life from her youth in Elizabeth, N.J., to her role in the Stonewall Riots and her activism for queer rights, homeless youth and those with AIDS. Tourmaline portrays her as a complex figure who was not only an activist, but also an artist, performer and community caregiver, aiming to reanimate her story beyond the myths surrounding her.
An award-winning author, artist, filmmaker and activist, Tourmaline's work is "dedicated to Black trans joy and freedom." She is a TIME 100 Most Influential Person in the World awardee and a Guggenheim Fellow. Her art is featured in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Tate and the Getty Museum.
Prior to her writing endeavors, Tourmaline previously worked with the activism groups Queers for Economic Justice and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. She also created the critically acclaimed film “Happy Birthday, Marsha!”, and has directed Pride campaigns for major brands such as Dove, Marc Jacobs and Reebok.
NMU's Common Reader Program (CRP) hosted a launch party in November to announce the book selection, and provided students with free copies, along with pizza and snacks. Marsha wll be incorporated in some curricula and the focus of related events next semester.
The CRP is a campus-wide initiative established in 2013 that focuses on reading as a means of social dialogue and change. For more information about the CRP, visit nmu.edu/crp.