NPR's Book of the Day explores two distinct works that use humor to examine complex themes. The first is an anthology curated by Damon Young titled "That's How They Get You," which features comedic essays about Black American life. Through personal stories about parenting, marriage, and individual insecurities, the anthology's contributors demonstrate how humor emerges from vulnerability and serves as both a coping mechanism and a means of authentic expression.
The episode also covers Dennard Dayle's satirical Civil War novel, which follows a teenage flag twirler who switches sides between Union and Confederate forces. Through a combination of slapstick humor and cultural references, including an imaginative flag-twirling showdown with Betsy Ross's daughter, the novel uses absurdist elements to examine the complex perspectives that shaped the Civil War and its ongoing impact on American society.
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Damon Young has curated "That's How They Get You," an anthology of comedic essays that explores Black American life through the lens of vulnerability. Young asserts that Black American humor uniquely reflects the true nature of America, emerging from a place of honesty and vulnerability.
The anthology delves into personal topics like parenting, marriage, and individual insecurities, with shame serving as a recurring theme. Young believes that the most poignant humor emerges from exploring these vulnerabilities. The collection demonstrates how humor serves as both a coping mechanism and a medium for Black Americans to express authentic perspectives in a society that often demands stoicism.
The anthology features several notable contributions. Young's personal favorite essay explores his relationship with his teeth and Invisalign, weaving together themes of shame, class, and self-image. Hillary Crossley Coker contributes a powerful piece blending heartbreak and humor in her story about experiencing a miscarriage, while Dee Watkins reflects on parenthood and legacy through an essay about diaper duty and his father's struggles with addiction.
The discussion shifts to Dennard Dayle's satirical novel about the Civil War, which follows Anders, a 15-year-old flag twirler with delusions of grandeur. Through Anders' misadventures - including switching sides between Union and Confederate forces - the novel employs both slapstick humor and sophisticated cultural references. A highlight includes a flag-twirling showdown between Anders and Wendy Ross, daughter of Betsy Ross, which combines highbrow references with physical comedy. Dayle uses this absurdist lens to examine the complex perspectives and motivations that shaped the Civil War, suggesting that the struggle to form a "more perfect union" continues to evolve.
1-Page Summary
Damon Young curates an anthology of comedic essays titled "That’s How They Get You," crafted to encompass the diverse experiences and the unique humor found within Black American life, particularly stemming from vulnerabilities.
Damon Young asserts that Black American humor is unparalleled in its ability to reflect the true nature of America. The humor, as Young describes, is born from a place of honesty and vulnerability that offers a clear-eyed reckoning of life in America. This anthology is his effort to represent the range of this humor and show how it emanates from the depths of vulnerability.
The book delves into personal topics, such as parenting, marriage, and even the intricacies of Invisalign, always with an undercurrent of shame. Damon Young believes that great humor emerges from exploring and diving into personal shames and insecurities. According to Young, it’s within these explorations that the anthology’s contributors find their most poignant humor.
Purpose and Themes of "That's How They Get You" Anthology
Humor is not just a source of laughter; it also serves as a powerful tool for coping, communicating, and expressing authenticity, particularly for Black Americans dealing with difficult topics.
Humor can often diffuse the weight of reality and makes tough subjects more approachable.
Black American humor typically finds the levity and absurdity in adversity, serving as a coping mechanism and a medium to explore tough experiences. Young's objective with the anthology was to draw out stories that used humor naturally, allowing readers to find a sense of comfort and something to resonate with amid the gravity of serious life issues.
Damon Young highlights the contribution of Hillary Crossley Coker, who addressed the complexity of experiencing a miscarriage intertwined with reflections on marriage. He emphasizes the necessity of humor that springs from her experience, acknowledging the pain and difficulty of such moments. Despite dealing with loss, one still has to continue living, being present for loved ones, and fulfilling responsibilities. Humor becomes a mechanism to confront and manage the blend of emotions such as grief and anxiety, which are often associated with parenting and other aspects of personal life.
Humor In Exploring Tough Topics for Black Americans
The anthology "That's How They Get You" features essays that offer deep insights into the themes of shame, vulnerability, heartbreak, humor, parenthood, and legacy. Contributors like Damon Young, Hillary Crossley Coker, and Dee Watkins provide raw and resonant narratives that speak to universal human experiences.
Damon Young's essay stands out as his favorite in the collection, presenting a narrative that is both personal and universally relatable. Through his stream-of-consciousness storytelling, Young delves deep into his relationship with his teeth and his experience with Invisalign. His narrative weaves together themes of shame, class, and self-image, allowing readers to engage with the complexities of social perception and personal identity.
Hillary Crossley Coker brings a compelling blend of heartbreak and humor to her essay on experiencing a miscarriage. Her writing captures the resilience of Black Americans in finding levity amidst somber moments. Coker explores the dynamics of grief and the expectation to power through pain as she navigates her roles as a partner and colleague amidst personal tragedy. Her story provides a lens into the strength ...
Standout Essays and Contributors In "That's how They Get You" Anthology
"Dodging a Cannonball" is a satirical novel that humorously examines the Civil War through the eyes of its protagonist, Anders, a 15-year-old flag twirler with delusions of grandeur.
The protagonist, Anders, is a character with limited experience and skewed viewpoints, trying to make sense of the social chaos of the Civil War. He sees his role as a flag twirler, maintaining morale and performing for the soldiers, as the most critical aspect of the conflict. With a substantial ego, Anders sees himself as the Mozart of flagpole spinning. His desire to survive leads him to twirl for the Union, switch sides to the Confederates, and eventually rejoin the Union with an African American regiment.
The character of Anders, in his misjudgment about the importance of flag twirling, adds a comedic layer to the war's depiction in "How to Dodge a Cannonball." Dennard Dayle employs the absurdity of Anders' adventures to underline the Civil War's inherent absurdities.
Physical comedy is a prominent aspect of the novel, particularly in the showdown between Anders and Wendy Ross, an expert flag twirler and the daughter of Betsy Ross. Their encounter is portrayed through flag twirling maneuvers filled with both slapstick and highbrow references.
The spectacle between Anders and Wendy Ross involves highbrow and lowbrow elements. It features moves like "walk the eagle," a "varial flag spin," and a "Delaware crossing," echoing a dance battle that combines sophisticated cultural references with slapstick comedy. Dayle's description likens th ...
Satirical Novel "Dodging a Cannonball" and Its Main Character
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