Ron Dawson - Dungeons n Durags: One Black Nerds Comical Quest of Racial Identity and Crisis of Faith (Social commentary, Uncomfortable conversations)

Praise for Dungeons n Durags

My first encounter with Dungeons n Durags was with the podcast Ron produces for Ebonys Podcast Network. Its 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. Its 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 Ebon y 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. Rons 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 Rons 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 sto ryteller.

Mishna Wolf , author of Im Down : A Memoir

Its so important that we tell our stories, and Ron does a masterful job telling his. The same kind of passion and biting wit hes 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 P ublication

Its 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 P roductions

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 f ounder of
The Antiraci sm Academy

Funny. Smart. Provocative. A hilarious page-turner that pulls no punches at addressing issues of white privilege and hypocrisy in the evangelica l 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 (theres nothing an ex-Catholic likes more than a good confession). Its a tim ely work!

Peter Crowe , writer and editor of the humor and satirical collection Dishonour the R ight 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, ma ybe, Ron.

Chrysta Wilson, racial justice and equity consultant, author of the award-winning cookbook Kis s 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, itd be a better place. But the book isnt just about Ron taking his medicine. Its actually spectacularly relatable and entertaining. In fact, as a producer, I know gold when I see it. Im bound and determined to make it a hit TV show.

Yolanda T. Cochran, Film & TV Producer/Acad emy member

I wouldnt be surprised if there are Trump supporters reading this book who are gonna think, How the hell did this motherf*cker get me to read this thing? Ron Dawson is Bla ck Magic.

Chris Spencer , handsome comedian, writer, director , producer

Dungeons
n Durags

One Black Nerds Comical Quest of Racial Identity and Crisis of Faith

Ron Dawson

Co ral Gables

Copyright 2022 by Ron Dawson.
Published by Mango Publishing, a division of Mango Publishing Group, Inc.

Cover Design & Art Direction: Elina Diaz
Cover Photo: dmLemattre Photography
Layout & Design: Katia Mena

Mango is an active supporter of authors rights to free speech and artistic expression in their books. The purpose of copyright is to encourage authors to produce exceptional works that enrich our culture and our open society.

Uploading or distributing photos, scans or any content from this book without prior permission is theft of the authors intellectual property. Please honor the authors work as you would your own. Thank you in advance for respecting our authors rights.

For permission requests, please contact the publisher at:
Mango Publishing Group
2850 S Douglas Road, 4th Floor
Coral Gables, FL 33134 USA

For special orders, quantity sales, course adoptions and corporate sales, please email the publisher at or +1.800.509.4887.

Dungeons n Durags: One Black Nerds Comical Quest of Racial Identity
and Crisis of Faith

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2022931108
ISBN: (print) 978-1-64250-875-8, (ebook) 978-1-64250-876-5
BISAC category code HUM006000, HUMOR / Topic / Politics

Printed in the United States of America

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view

Atticus Finch, To Kill a Moc kingbird ,
by Harper Lee

Table of Contents

Stupid Shit Trump
Supporters Say

All I Need Are Dreadlocks
and a Sword

To All the White Girls on TV
Ive Loved Before

My First Times All Have One
Thing in Common

Babysitters, Bad Words,
and F-Bombs

Breakdancing and
Breakthroughs

NewsflashAmerica Was/Is
Still Racist

My Relationship with
Facebook IsComplicated

Hit em UpPolitics and
Evangelical Edition

He Was a Fifth-Grade and
Grown-up, Nerdy Negro
People Pleaser

Dude, wheres my church?
Jesus

Letters to a Trump
Supporting Christian

Reunited (and It Dont
Feel Too Good)

Faith, Evolution, and
the Unforgivable Sin

Definitions

Dungeons & Dragons : a fantasy role-playing game cocreated by Gary Gygax in the 1970s filled with dungeons and dragons (duh), paladins, fighters, wizards, orcs, elves, and a whole assortment of fantastic creatures and characters. Played by only the nerdiest of nerds.

Durag : a silk-like scarf with a tie and small flap hanging down in the rear worn by African Americans (usually men) as a fashion statement. Worn in the 80s to create some fly waves.

What can be said about one of the kindest, charmingest, brightest human beings Ive ever met? First, we must start from the beginning.

In the 80s, I had two sistersone biological and one stepsister, who usually stayed with us two weekends a month. Even though I loved them immensely, I always wished I had a younger brother. That wish came true in 1984 in a double gift called the Dawson boysRon and Brandon. We had already been family friends, but their parents bought a new home in Hollywood Hills, and they didnt want to leave the South Pasadena school district where we attended school. So they came to liv e with us.