Dungeons 'n' Durags - One Black Nerd’s Comical Quest of Racial Identity and Crisis of Faith (Social commentary, Gift for nerds, Uncomfortable conversations)

In Dungeons ’n’ Durags, author, filmmaker, and self-admitted Blerd Ron Dawson tells his own “coming-of-age” story. Following the election of former president Trump, Dawson reckons with all intersecting aspects of his Black identity. Guided by an “angel” in the guise of Samuel L. Jackson’s character from Pulp Fiction, Dawson deconstructs parts of his life—faith, relationships, autonomy—with wit and comical social commentary.

List of contents

Foreword
 
Part 1
Chapter 1: Bro Log: A “Perfect Beginning”
Chapter 2: Blackness is my “Super Suit”
Chapter 3: Wypipo Trigger Warning
Chapter 5: Stupid Shit Trump Supporters Say
Chapter 6: All I Need Are Dreadlocks and a Sword
Chapter 6: Wonder Woman Was Black
Chapter 7: To All the White Girls on TV I’ve Loved Before
Chapter 8: Origin of a Blaxistential Crisis
Chapter 9: My First Times All Have One Thing in Common
Chapter 10: The Second Most Embarrassing Confession in this Book
Chapter 11: Black People Aren’t a Monolith
Chapter 12: Babysitters, Bad Words, and F-Bombs
Chapter 13: The First Time My Blackness Earned Me a Standing Ovatoin at My Predominately White High School
 
Part 2
Chapter 14: Break Dancing and Breakthroughs
Chapter 15: A Faker’s Dozens
Chapter 16: My George Costanza Moment
Chapter 17: Newsflash—America Was/Is Still Racist
Chapter 18: My Relationship with Facebook is . . . Complicated
Chapter 19: Positive Ron
Chapter 20: Waxing Philosophical
Chapter 21: There and Black Again
Chapter 22: “Mine” Yo’ Bizness
Chapter 23: Skool’d, Dazed, and Confused
Chapter 24: Spike Jonesing
Chapter 25: Hit ‘em Up—Politics and Evangelical Edition
Chapter 26: In the Dogg House
Chapter 27: He was a Fifth Grade and Grown-up, Nerdy Negro People Pleaser
Chapter 28: When Pigs Sigh
 
Part 3
Chapter 29: “Dude, where’s my church?” ~ Jesus
Chapter 30: Letters to a Trump Supporting Christian
Chapter 31: Wonder and . . . Awww!
Chapter 32: My Last Confession
Chapter 33: Reunited (and it don’t feel too good”
Chapter 34: Raith, Evolution, and the Unforgivable Sin
Chapter 35: The Other Unforgivable Sin
Chapter 36: Can I Get a Witness
Chapter 37: A Surprise Confession
Chapter 38: Closing Arguments
Chapter 39: Revelations
Chapter 40: The Verdict
 
Epilogue: A Brand New Day

About the author

Ron
Dawson is a satirical writer, filmmaker, self-admitted blerd,
managing editor of a major filmmaking blog, and author.

Chris Spencer is a versatile comedian and actor with irrepressible flair and commitment to his art. The Los Angeles native began his acting career at age six, starring in a national television commercial for Mattel's “Tuff Stuff” toys. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from University of California, Los Angeles, but decided to continue with his real love—performing.

Chris Spencer has co-starred on the television series Soul Food and had recurring roles on The Jamie Foxx Show and In Living Color. He has had starring roles in the NBC/Bravo show Significant Others and the feature films Two Can Play That Game, The Sixth Man, and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Juice in the Hood.

In addition to being an actor and comedian, Chris Spencer is also an accomplished writer. His writing credits include the popular book 150 Ways to Tell if You're Ghetto, the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2003 ESPY Awards, and the popular comedy specials Jamie Foxx Unleashed–Lost, Stolen and Leaked! and Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security.

Summary

Funny Stories About White Privilege and Black Identity from a Black Nerd’s PerspectiveAuthor and Ebony Magazine podcaster Ron Dawson lends his wit and comical social commentary to tell the story of how one of the “whitest” and nerdiest of black men finally woke up, found his blackness, and lost all inhibitions at dropping the f-bomb.
A coming-of-age story of black identity. In the suburbs of Atlanta, Ron was a black nerd (aka “blerd”) living very comfortably in his white world. He loved his white wife, worked well with his white workmates, and worshiped at a white church. On November 8, 2016, everything changed when Trump became POTUS. Ron began a journey of self-discovery that made him question everything—from faith to friendships.
Part social commentary and part fantastical narrative. This book goes where no blerd has gone before. In a psychedelic way, Ron is guided by a guardian “angel” in the guise of Samuel L. Jackson’s character from Pulp Fiction. Sam is there to help Ron, well, be more black. Ron confronts his black “sins” and wrestles with black identity, systemic racism, and what it means to be “black” in America. 
Uncomfortable conversations. Throughout this book, you’ll learn lessons from a man who deconstructs his faith and confronts personal demons of racial identity. Gain new perspectives through these funny stories that will reshape your current views on black identity.
Inside, you’ll find:

• The funniest social commentary on white privilege and black identity
• Political satire wrapped in funny stories of a man’s journey to confront the systemic racism and Christian hypocrisy around him
• Comical if not uncomfortable conversations about what it means to be black in America

If you liked You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, or I’m Judging You, you’ll love Dungeons ‘n’ Durags. 

Foreword

Social media numbers:

• Twitter: @BladeRonner, 5,000 followers


• Personal Facebook account: bladeronner, 4,855 friends


• LinkedIn: Over 2,400 connections


• Medium: ~ 1,100 followers


• Newsletter list: 1,400

Additional text

“My first encounter with Dungeons ‘n’ Durags was with the podcast Ron produces for Ebony's Podcast Network. It's funny, clever, and full of surprises. But nothing prepared me for what he had in store in the book. Ron does a masterful job at tackling provocative topics in a way that often feels uncomfortably raw. It’s a hilarious and biting commentary on not only white supremacy ideology, but also points a mirror at Black culture.”

—Lavaille Lavette, president and publisher at Ebony magazine

 

“As someone who grew up in a blended family that was wall-to-wall identity struggle (my own included), I tend to love stories about reckoning with who we think we should be. Ron’s profound and hilarious journey is like if Conversations with God had a baby with Hollywood Shuffle. And his love for cinema and popular culture makes it a great read for any cinephile and nerds everywhere. But Ron’s voice is wholly his own, and fantastically entertaining, endearing, and truthful. This book is tailor-made for anyone who wants to spend a few hours with a really great storyteller.”

—Mishna Wolf, author of I’m Down: A Memoir

 

“It’s so important that we tell our stories, and Ron does a masterful job telling his. The same kind of passion and biting wit he’s brought to An Injustice!, he expresses all throughout Dungeons ‘n’ Durags. He strikes a good balance of biting commentary on white supremacy ideology, as well as some aspects of the Black community, all while lacing it with a self-effacing humor that most people would find unable to share publicly.”

—Zuva Seven, founder/editor-in-chief of An Injustice! Medium Publication

 

“It’s not often you see Black men, or people in general, get this personal when sharing their stories. I appreciated the authenticity and vulnerability Ron shares in his experiences as a black man and how a white-dominated world influenced him, as well as his complicated faith journey. Lastly, as a fan of film trivia, how could I not love all the hilarious cinematic homages?”

—Nichelle Protho, SVP Loud Sis Productions

 

“Dungeons ‘n’ Durags is a hilarious, masterfully written love letter to us ‘Blerds’ and so-called ‘Oreos.’ Dawson uses humor to seamlessly highlight and unpack his personal experiences and insights as a Black man in America. This book will make you laugh out loud and think deeply about racial identity and what it means to be Black.”

—Brandee Blocker Anderson, CEO and founder of The Antiracism Academy

 

“Funny. Smart. Provocative. A hilarious page-turner that pulls no punches at addressing issues of white privilege and hypocrisy in the evangelical church.”

—Talicia Raggs, writer/producer The Equalizer, NCIS: New Orleans, and The Originals

 

“I love everything about this book. The way Ron uses popular culture, his excruciating honesty, his humor, and especially the confessions (there’s nothing an ex-Catholic likes more than a good confession). It’s a timely work!”

—Peter Crowe, writer and editor of the humor and satirical collection Dishonour the Right Thing

 

“Witty, sarcastic, hilarious, and, well, blerd-y, this must-read story affirms the diversity within the Black diaspora and reminds us there is room for Durags, D&D, and even, maybe, Ron.”

—Chrysta Wilson, racial justice and equity consultant, author of the award-winning cookbook Kiss My Bundt

 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are Trump supporters reading this book who are gonna think, ‘How the hell did this mutherf*cker get me to read this thing?’ Ron Dawson is Black Magic.”

—Chris Spencer, handsome comedian, writer, director, producer

Product details

• Authors: Ron Dawson, Dawson Ron
• Assisted by: Chris Spencer (Foreword), Spencer Chris (Foreword)
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 17.05.2022
• EAN: 9781642508758
• ISBN: 978-1-64250-875-8
• No. of pages: 304
• Subjects: Fiction > Comic, cartoon, humour, satire; Guides > Hobby, home > Games, quizzes; Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Folklore; History, Popular Culture, HUMOR / Topic / Celebrity & Popular Culture, HUMOR / Topic / History, HUMOR / Topic / Politics, United States of America, USA, Parodies and spoofs: non-fiction, Relating to African American / Black American people