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A Story That Goes Where No Blerd Has Gone Before
Ron Dawson was a Black nerd (a.k.a. “blerd”) living very comfortably in his white world. Then on November 8, 2016, Trump was elected POTUS and everything changed.
Dungeons ‘n’ Durags is part social commentary and part fantasy. Ron is visited and guided by his guardian angel (or devil?) in the guise of Sam Jackson. Sam is there to help Ron be more “Black.” The Voice of Morgan Freeman (just the voice, not the man) also chimes in. Throughout his journey, Ron confronts his Black “sins” and wrestles with personal demons, faith, and what it means to be “Black” in America.
This is the true(ish) story of how a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a president and the inanity of duped evangelicals led one of the “whitest” and nerdiest Black men on the planet to wake up, find his Blackness, and lose all inhibitions at dropping the f-bomb. It’s an emotionally moving, politically poignant, and often hysterical coming-of-age story. Except the age is fifty.
Price: $19.99
Pages: 304
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Imprint: TMA Press
Publication Date:
17 May 2022
Trim Size: 8.50 X 5.50 in
ISBN: 9781642508758
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
Popular culture, History, Humour
“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
“What is truly GREAT and sets Ron apart is his sincere and ongoing willingness and pursuit of self-examination and laying bare what some might deem his shortcomings, honestly to himself and for all to witness. That pursuit is always aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the truths of his own humanity and behaving and interacting with others in accordance with that truth. If only there were more like him walking around in the world, it’d be a better place. But the book isn’t just about Ron taking his medicine. It’s actually spectacularly relatable and entertaining. In fact, as a producer, I know gold when I see it. I’m bound and determined to make it a hit TV show.”—Yolanda T. Cochran, Film & TV Producer/Academy member
“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
“What is truly GREAT and sets Ron apart is his sincere and ongoing willingness and pursuit of self-examination and laying bare what some might deem his shortcomings, honestly to himself and for all to witness. That pursuit is always aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the truths of his own humanity and behaving and interacting with others in accordance with that truth. If only there were more like him walking around in the world, it’d be a better place. But the book isn’t just about Ron taking his medicine. It’s actually spectacularly relatable and entertaining. In fact, as a producer, I know gold when I see it. I’m bound and determined to make it a hit TV show.”—Yolanda T. Cochran, Film & TV Producer/Academy member
“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
Foreword Part 1Chapter 1: Bro Log: A “Perfect Beginning”Chapter 2: Blackness is my “Super Suit”Chapter 3: Wypipo Trigger WarningChapter 5: Stupid Shit Trump Supporters SayChapter 6: All I Need Are Dreadlocks and a SwordChapter 6: Wonder Woman Was BlackChapter 7: To All the White Girls on TV I’ve Loved BeforeChapter 8: Origin of a Blaxistential CrisisChapter 9: My First Times All Have One Thing in CommonChapter 10: The Second Most Embarrassing Confession in this BookChapter 11: Black People Aren’t a MonolithChapter 12: Babysitters, Bad Words, and F-BombsChapter 13: The First Time My Blackness Earned Me a Standing Ovatoin at My Predominately White High School Part 2Chapter 14: Break Dancing and BreakthroughsChapter 15: A Faker’s DozensChapter 16: My George Costanza MomentChapter 17: Newsflash—America Was/Is Still RacistChapter 18: My Relationship with Facebook is . . . ComplicatedChapter 19: Positive RonChapter 20: Waxing PhilosophicalChapter 21: There and Black AgainChapter 22: “Mine” Yo’ BiznessChapter 23: Skool’d, Dazed, and ConfusedChapter 24: Spike JonesingChapter 25: Hit ‘em Up—Politics and Evangelical EditionChapter 26: In the Dogg HouseChapter 27: He was a Fifth Grade and Grown-up, Nerdy Negro People PleaserChapter 28: When Pigs Sigh Part 3Chapter 29: “Dude, where’s my church?” ~ JesusChapter 30: Letters to a Trump Supporting ChristianChapter 31: Wonder and . . . Awww!Chapter 32: My Last ConfessionChapter 33: Reunited (and it don’t feel too good”Chapter 34: Raith, Evolution, and the Unforgivable SinChapter 35: The Other Unforgivable SinChapter 36: Can I Get a WitnessChapter 37: A Surprise ConfessionChapter 38: Closing ArgumentsChapter 39: RevelationsChapter 40: The Verdict Epilogue: A Brand New Day