I'D Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts by Larry Wilmore

From Barnes & Noble

Larry Wilmore sees things that mere mortals don't. He's noticed, for instance, that brothas seldom see UFOs and that the CW functions as "the Negro Leagues of CBS." As the "Senior Black Correspondent" of The Daily Show, this Emmy- and Peabody-winning veteran writer tirelessly promotes his pet projects: causes like replacing "African American" with "chocolate" and trading away Black History Month for coast-to-coast casino rights. This uproarious (and sometimes disturbingly wise) book continues the good creative work that Wilmore did in the still underrated Bernie Mac Show.

From the Publisher

Within these pages are the musings, the revelations, the ruminations, and the reflections of the incomparable Larry Wilmore. Here, collected for the first time, all in one place, are his Black Thoughts. From why black weathermen make him feel happy (or sad) and why brothas don't see UFOs to his search for Black Jesus or his quest to replace "African-American" with "chocolate," Wilmore has finally relented, agreeing to share his unique (black) perspective. Soon, you too will have the ability to find racism in everything. Bring back the Shetland Negro and do away with Black History Month! After all, can twenty-eight days of trivia really make up for centuries of oppression? In Wilmore's own words, "I'd rather we got casinos!"

Publishers Weekly

As "Senior Black Correspondent" on cable TV's The Daily Show, comedian Wilmore provides some of the program's most hilarious moments while turning its satiric edge on his (largely white, middle-class, left-leaning) employers and audience, as well as his own people-retaining the full measure of his cynicism even in the midst of Obama-mania. In this collection (including essays, fake radio show transcripts, letters and wisecracks), readers get a tour of Wilmore's smart, sarcastic approach to race, media and the modern American psyche (perhaps most efficiently captured in back-to-back thought pieces, "Black Weathermen Make Me Feel Happy" and "Black Weathermen Make Me Feel Sad"). Part of Wilmore's appeal is the straight-faced mix of conviction and arch absurdity-more Steve Colbert than Jon Stewart-that's sometimes lacking without his deadpan, vaguely deprecating delivery. Still, fans will find consistent laughs, even if some of his longer, one-note pieces could have been better balanced with more of his goofy one-liners ("Random Black Thoughts"). Several of Wilmore's modest proposals, like his ongoing campaign to replace terms like "African-American" and "Black" with "Chocolate" ("everybody loves chocolate!") display a classic satirist's ability to convince, confound and compel in equal measure.
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Product Details

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Table of Contents