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I'd Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts

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From the host of Comedy Central's newest program, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, comes the first paperback reprint of his funny and provocative musings on race in America and other nightly topics--updated with new material for this edition.

Now boasting three new chapters and an introduction exclusive the trade paperback edition, I'd Rather We Got Casinos And Other Black Thoughts by Larry Wilmore gives Wilmore's on-screen character of the same name a place to voice his opinions on controversial topics in a way that anyone can find amusing . . . and eye-opening. Exploring various literary forms such as op-ed pieces, epistolary entries, graduation speeches, and long-lost transcripts, the result is a collection that the expanded audience from his successful Comedy Central program will enjoy, including: why black weathermen make him feel happy (or sad); why brothas don't see UFOs; letters to the NAACP; and more, including his frustration with Black History Month -- after all, can twenty-eight days of trivia really make up for centuries of oppression?"

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

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About the author

Larry Wilmore

5 books29 followers
Wilmore is a television producer and writer. He is currently a writer and recurring correspondent on The Daily Show.

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520 (34%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
Profile Image for Claire Hall.
67 reviews22 followers
March 30, 2009
There are some books that do more than just occupy space on a shelf--there are a precious few--The Wealth of Nations, the Federalist Papers, Uncle Tom's Cabin, among others--that transform the times in which they appear.

This is destined to be one of those books. "I'd Rather We Got Casinos" presents the thoughts of Larry Wilmore. These are not just thoughts. They are profound thoughts. And they are black thoughts--presented by the Senior Black Correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This book is thought-provoking, joyously politically incorrect...and very, very funny.

No summary can do justice to the contents of this volume, but you may get a flavor for what awaits you between the covers by learning that there are chapters on why black audiences talk back to horror movies, why it's OK to hate black people who work at McDonald's in airports, why fat black weathermen make Wilmore happy (and sad), and Wilmore's extended, ultimately futile correspondence with the NAACP, which attempted to persuade the organization to join his crusade to replace the descriptive phrases black and African-American with the far superior term, "chocolate." There's real humor here, but there are deeper meanings as well.

As a white (or in Wilmore's parlance, vanilla) guy, I may not be able to fully appreciate the profound depth of these thoughts--but I do know that I laughed out loud--many, many times. And this book stimulated thoughts of my own. Maybe not as profound as Mr. Wilmore's, but they were thoughts, nevertheless.
Profile Image for Sarah Sammis.
7,944 reviews247 followers
October 21, 2009
Larry Wilmore is currently the senior black correspondent to The Daily Show. He has written for The Office, The Bernie Mac Show and a bunch of other things I haven't watched except for clips here and there. I read his book, I'd Rather We Got Casinos because it was offered at a recent Bookcrossing meeting and I liked the title.

The book contains a collection of his "Black Thoughts" essays. They discuss important things (race, discrimination, profiling etc) and silly things (why UFOs are only interested in whites) with the same semi-serious semi-comedic tone. Put together these essays form a mosaic of what it's like to be black in the United States.

My only complaint is that some of the essays are repetitive. The same jokes and talking points show up in different essays. After the first half of the book I went from carefully reading to skimming. If I had been a regular watcher of The Daily Show or otherwise a fan of Larry Wilmore's work I probably would have enjoyed the book more than I did.
Profile Image for Deb Jones.
805 reviews104 followers
November 3, 2018
If you enjoy social commentary presented in a humorous way or if you like author Larry Wilmore, I feel it's safe to say you would enjoy this book.

I might have rated it four stars if it was a book I owned and could pick up at my leisure to read a chapter/scenario one or two at a time. However, I borrowed mine from the library and found that sitting through it in one or two single reads found my attention wandering after a while.
Profile Image for Donald.
28 reviews8 followers
December 4, 2012
Wilmore's my favorite part of The Daily Show right now. He's replaced Lewis Black as the moment of comedy that's going to make my week. The best pieces in here have the tone of his Daily Show pieces (notably, "Give Us the Superdome,"). But I ultimately found the book disappointing. There were some solid moments and a few really funny jokes, but a lot of it fell flat. Many of the pieces, especially the ones written as transcripts of his supposed radio show, felt like they were actually routines meant for another medium, generally audio. Also, the pieces felt too light, too brief. I know, "awful, and such small portions!" but I felt that if there were some longer pieces or full-on essays, if he'd carried some of the jokes out further, I'd have found it funnier. Also, I wanted more random black thoughts. There are only 4 in the book, each only about a line or two long, but they're like a sucker-punch of hilarity.
I had some high expectations for this book, and I'm sorry to say it fell short.
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 2 books20 followers
October 24, 2009
It's interesting that the library shelves this book in the 305s (social science) not the 817 (humor) as I feel it is a work of comedy (social satire) more than a documentary. The chapters on black Jesus and angry black churches were the funniest. The most wildly humorous section was the mock letter-writing campaign to the NAACP to change the term African-American to chocolate. A friend laughed when I told him about this. D. will be the first to correct you if you call him black instead of African-American. So remember these are Larry Wilmore's "black thoughts" and do not represent everyone's views. You will not be disappointed if you take it as a work of comedy yet the chapter on the Shetland Negro on TV was not funny. I really liked this book and encourage you to read it.
Profile Image for Gavin.
Author 3 books619 followers
August 21, 2018
(As in, “Are you in favor of Black History Month?
Hell no. Twenty-eight days of trivia to make up for centuries of oppression? I’d rather we got casinos.”)

Irreverent about stuff good people don’t tend to be: ‘community leaders’, the funeral for the 'n'-word, Jesus’ race, Katrina, Letter from Birmingham Jail, The Man.

His patter is sometimes pleasurably baroque:
A pudgy patron of society would suffer an indignity and cry out, 'This is unmitigated gall! Unmitigated gall, I tell you!'”…

the level of anger in a black church should be roughly equal to the level of anger in the brother attending said church. You’ll appreciate the attention to detail in the Afrocentric stained-glass windows as black Jesus, black Mary, and the black Apostles make even hard brothers nervous with their never-happy Ice Cube–like glares”…

“THE SIMPSONS: Not racist but not very brotha friendly.
FAMILY GUY: Racist but very brotha friendly.


Lines this good scattered throughout.
Profile Image for Lydia.
139 reviews13 followers
July 24, 2023
This was a fun read. It's comedian, writer, journalist's takes on being black in America. The book begins with the many variations that black people use to describe themselves. Mr. Wilmore makes his suggestions for change in his letters to the NAACP, which the comedian says go unanswered.

He also stages a trial on the use of the "n" word, which the author mockingly tries to defend in his show trial. Wilmore also takes on "The Man" as white men in authority are commonly called in the black community.

Lastly the black church comes under his eye, some might say "evil" eye. The book was fun and nice diversion from serious reading.
513 reviews7 followers
August 23, 2023
I have been a fan of Larry Wilmore ever since The Daily Show and his book reminded me why: because he's so smart and so funny and so original! It's written from the perspective of a character named "Larry Wilmore" who shares his opinions on everything from Black Jesus to changing what Black people are called to an explanation for why you never hear about Black people encountering aliens. It is a quick read, and I guarantee you will laugh out loud more than a little. Bring back The Nightly Show!!!
Profile Image for N..
237 reviews6 followers
March 4, 2020
Maybe I should describe more things as brotha friendly and not brotha friendly to paraphrase AAVE sometimes. i.e. my government is barely brotha friendly.

I found this in a yard sale and only got around to reading this now. I feel like someone made a spare list of things to publish from Larry Wilmore's notepads.
Profile Image for Bradley Morgan.
Author 3 books13 followers
October 7, 2015
Originally published in 2009 while Wilmore served as the senior black correspondent on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Wilmore’s essays and insights into contemporary black issues are witty and poignant. Essay topics include commentaries on the search for Black Jesus, why UFO sightings aren’t reported by black people, Wilmore’s texts from a Birmingham jail (a nod to MLK, Jr.), why it is acceptable to hate someone because of their profession, and Wilmore’s letters to the NAACP advocating that “chocolate” replace African-American as the preferred black nomenclature. This collection of Wilmore’s deepest thoughts and criticisms, while exaggerated, offer a valuable social commentary on the experience and plight of the black community.

The title of the book is a not so subtle reference to Native American culture and their stake in the casino industry. In the introduction, Wilmore is asked about Black History Month and if it is relevant in educating the public on the accomplishments and struggles throughout black history. With a resounding “Hell, no”, Wilmore says he would have preferred the black community be given casinos. This perfectly sets the tone that weaves in and out of each essay; the systemic racism that continues to marginalize the black community and what can be done to ease the pain. Of course, a lot of the view points in the book cannot be taken literally but are offered in such a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Six years after publishing this book, Wilmore now hosts his own show. “The Nightly Show” allows Wilmore to continue addressing key issues that affect blacks and other minorities while often editorializing his own viewpoint to ease the tension and other a solution. Also joined by a panel with their own unique take on current day racial issues, Wilmore applies a process to tackling topics that is thought-provoking and funny. That is not to see that racism is a topic that should be taken lightly. It is a very serious issue. What Wilmore’s humor does is take an uncomfortable topic and finds a thread that can connect all people. Through humor, Wilmore can break down the tension and find unifying ways to address an issue. This belief that racial humor is funny but racist humor is not is nothing new. But what it does offer is a chance to identify and own our differences just as long as it doesn’t result in the systemic oppression of a particular group. Wilmore’s “black thoughts” focus on racial humor to both reinforce and raise a group of people. It isn’t quite politically correct, but that is fine. Besides, if you disagree with Wilmore’s point then that makes you a racist and he is judging you your cracker ass.
Profile Image for Colette.
654 reviews16 followers
February 18, 2017
"You always hear people say “racism is still a major part of everyday life.” Most people accept this premise without investigating it further. Mainly because they agree with it, and secondly, they don't want to challenge it for fear of seeming like the racist in question. They also feel there's nothing they can do about it. It's racism, you can't change it. My problem with this statement is that it is too general. By using words like "racism" or "racists", it keeps the notion distant and "out there." It feels like a problem to be contemplated and discussed like a philosophical construct instead of a problem that could use some concrete solution like a backed up sink."
1 review
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Profile Image for Mikayla.
99 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2016
Larry Wilmore is a superb television personality, television writer, and comedian. When an individual is this skilled, they're often approached to write a book showcasing their many talents. Often, these books are very funny, insightful, and well-written. Unfortunately, Wilmore's is not one of them - which truly is a shame. It battles itself, unsure of which genre it wants to be in. (Social science for the first quarter, humor for the second, memoir for the third, and just simply confusing for the final.)

Because it tries to blur genre conventions, it gets lost in a satire of all of them, which is especially confusing if you understand Wilmore's television career. While TDS was based on satire, TNS is more focused on raw humor. This book tried to do both, which makes sense, given it was published during Wilmore's post-TDS & pre-TNS career.

Nevertheless, there are indeed various LOL moments. In particular, Larry's effervescent and optimistic letters to the NAACP, in which he opined for the changing of the term "African American" to "chocolate" are easily the best pages in the book. But these passages are hidden beneath the many layers of confusing nonconformity and irregular use of the interview format to set up a joke or make a punchline. Confusing at best, bland at worst - Wilmore's book is nevertheless good nightstand reading material.
1,598 reviews40 followers
March 26, 2009
Not familiar with author previously, as we don't have cable TV, but the couple times I've seen Jon Stewart's show I thought it was funny, so when I saw this in library I decided to give it a try.

It was ok. Format is like standup comedy skits/riffs transcribed. Very very light reading -- maybe an hour for the whole book. Emphasis on wordplay. A couple things that seemed (to me) funny such as the list of reasons you can tell Jesus was a black guy, and the series of chapters consisting of imaginary correspondence with the NAACP encouraging them to take up the cause of replacing "African American" with "Chocolate" (they wouldn't have to change organization acronym, etc.).

This is totally subjective of course, but a lot of the rest of it seemed unfunny to me. As with "men are like this; women are like that" comedy, the "differences between Black and White habits/perspectives/experiences" thing is challenging at this point for comedians because it is so well-mined. Black people are more likely to talk back to movie characters? to not conjugate the verb "to be"? To show up late for stuff (if male)? To be exuberant in church? To have creative unusual first names? You don't say.


Profile Image for bup.
731 reviews71 followers
November 26, 2010
This quick read mostly concerns itself with what I'll call meta-racist humor. It's not racist, but it's about racist humor almost exclusively.

Some of it is great, some of it so-so. That's what you get with comedy. If some of it didn't miss, it's probably because the person wasn't trying anything new.

Particular highlights included the trial for the "n" word (Wilmore felt that the metaphorical burial of the "n" word a few years ago was premature without a trial), Wilmore's speech campaigning to be the new self-appointed black leader (it skewers the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the world pretty well), arguments that Jesus was black (among the evidence - his parents didn't get to stay at the inn in a situation that makes you go "hmm"; he didn't get a fair trial, and he had a posse), and the final essay on recognizing a category of things that maybe aren't racist, but are not 'brotha friendly.'
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Profile Image for Anna.
632 reviews89 followers
Read
August 4, 2011
I'd Rather We Got Casinos and Other Black Thoughts, by the Daily Show's Chief Black Correspondent Larry Wilmore, isn't something that I would have spent money on, but I did check it out from the library and got a few hearty chuckles. The book is a collection of essays, (completely fake) interviews, and random thoughts on race, some of which are amusing, some of which are a little head-scratching, and most of which go on a little too long. However, there are some hilarious moments, such as Wilmore's repeated attempts to get the NAACP on board with his plan to change "African-American" to "chocolate" ("At least four out of five black people like it and an impressive five out of five nonblacks do. In other words, everybody loves chocolate!") and the intriguing essay "How Come Brothas Don't See UFOs?"
Profile Image for Stefanie.
587 reviews7 followers
July 23, 2014
A quick read and pretty funny insight into the mind of Larry Wilmore, most known for his role on the Daily Show as Senior Black Correspondent. A fun read, but not actually as insightful as I would have expected. Wilmore talks a lot about race relations on TDS, and it's usually a delight satire on modern sympathies. Though his pieces here still contained sort of his token wit, they were a bit lacklustre, and missing a certain spark that I've come to expect from him. It was a quick, easy read, so I wouldn't discourage anyone from tackling it, but I think for me personally, a combination of not being fully able to relate to the material (which isn't terribly surprising) and yet not being confronted with some of the hypocrisies of modern racism (which was sort of surprising) made this book fall short of what I expected.
Profile Image for Carol Storm.
Author 28 books236 followers
September 19, 2011
Mildly amusing at best -- he's funnier on the Jon Stewart show.

The only two sketches that really show potential here are the one about UFO's -- and why black people don't see them -- and an interview with "the Man," the shadowy authority figure who always keeps black people down.

What Larry Wilmore really needs is more edge -- much more edge. I was looking for an interview with Nat Turner, for example. Or a list of white women in Hollywood most desired by black men behind bars. Something that would shock, jar, and possibly even enrage the mainstream audience.

Unfortunately, this collection of black thoughts is closer to malted milk balls than it is to ribs and collard greens.
Profile Image for Schnaucl.
993 reviews29 followers
April 20, 2009
I didn't have any laugh out loud moments, but that might be because I head Wilmore interviewed about the book and in the interview he discussed what I thought were some of the funniest essays. I may not have laughed out loud, but I was bother entertained and amused.

I like the idea of going from African-American to "chocolate" and white/Caucasian to "vanilla," with modifiers as needed. I also like the idea of reparations appropriate to the thing they're for.

A couple of the essays didn't really work for me, particularly the two about black weathermen essays but generally I was entertained.
Profile Image for Gil Bradshaw.
410 reviews3 followers
April 12, 2012
This book is uncomfortably racist, which is the whole point and why it's funny. Wilmore comically explores topics such as:

-Why Jesus might actually be black (including the fact that he wasn't given a fair trial);
-Why black people talk to characters in horror movies and how it can change the outcome;
-Why fat black weathermen make us happy;
-Why fat black weathermen make us sad;
-He declares the death of the "N" word and then holds a eulogy;
-He realizes the "N" word was killed without a trial and then holds a trial.

I like Wilmore. If you are actually racist, please do society a favor and skip this book.
Profile Image for DeAnna Rigney.
187 reviews20 followers
March 16, 2009
This is witty & funy commentary from the senior black correspondent of The Daily Show. His satirical essays cover such topics as why brothas don't see U.F.O.s and how it's okay to hate black people who work at McDonald's at the airport (and that this doesn't make you racist.) I particularly enjoyed the idea of the "Roker Effect" and the antithetical "Reverse Roker Effect." A very entertaining read.
1,104 reviews8 followers
April 28, 2009
A humorous, candid, and surprising look at how blacks see themselves, and in some ways, how he asserts they keep discrimination alive themselves.
I especially appreciated his powers of observation and willingness to speak the unspoken: Intro xi,"The Man" Talk p15 and interspersed, street cred p 53, chocolate p 76 and interspersed to p 174, In Search of Black Jesus p 93-98.

He did a nice job with the acknowledgements, too. Note: some raunchy language.
Profile Image for Patricia.
211 reviews97 followers
July 7, 2009
I almost don't want to believe this was written by Larry Wilmore, because I know that he is a hilariously funny man and this book just wasn't up to par. There were parts where I definitely had a good laugh, or even read aloud to my friend, but those parts were few, and mostly in the first half of the book. The title is so very promising...sigh. And I can't say that the book was highly offensive. It just wasn't funny.

I do want to say that I REALLY enjoyed his interview with The Man.
Profile Image for Theophilus (Theo).
290 reviews24 followers
August 19, 2009
Funny, funny, funny. A very good adult read. Tactful profanity (when taken within his writing personna). Not vulgar. He narrates a book about himself, and includes excerpts from a radio show he hosts with fictitious guests. Wilmore was one of the creators of the "Bernie Mac Show" and is a frequent contributor and guest on "the Daily Show with Jon Stewart". I learned there is someone with a more cerebrally, twisted sense of humor than me.
Profile Image for marymurtz.
221 reviews
March 28, 2011
Some great laugh out loud funny moments ("Queen Latifah has officially become Pearl Bailey") and chapter headings ("Why Brothas Never See UFOs") and it really helps if you've watched Larry Wilmore on "The Daily Show." What I liked was that the humor was not the same familiar jokes other comedians have trotted out for years; instead, his humor is more off-kilter and unexpected. A quick read, and good brain candy between other books.
Profile Image for Jessica.
175 reviews
September 1, 2013
Who'd have thought a book containing a trial of the n word and an explanation of the distinction between not being "brotha friendly" and being racist would be so darn funny. I should have known, there are few times Daily Show correspondents steer me completely wrong. Enjoyed, though at 127 pages it was barely long enough to consider itself a book. Felt like it would have worked better as something watched vs. read.
Profile Image for Scott.
36 reviews
April 8, 2015
Certainly entertaining, but like with most comedy books, it was incredibly uneven. Larry gives us a sometimes silly, sometimes flat look at race relations in America. Certain chapters made my sides ache, but others left me wondering how many pages I had left to read. if you are a fan of Larry's work, it is worth a peek. The book's small size, combined with the ease of reading makes this something you can finish in a day or two.
682 reviews12 followers
January 12, 2016
This is an example of the kind of humor that is funny but changes shape, so to speak, and you say to yourself it's also sad or frustrating, or rage inducing. I enjoyed Wilmore when he was on The Daily Show and now, even more, on The Nightly Show. He is able to "Keep it 100" more often than not.

I read this alternating with chapters of the Shakespeare 1599. Actually there are many societal similarities, especially a pathetic need for some people to step up by stepping on.
Profile Image for Amy.
175 reviews52 followers
February 24, 2016
Sigh. Larry, Larry. Weak tea, my comedy news crush. If you love The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, this book will be a let down. Sure, I can hear his voice and it's in the same county as his sense of humor but this book is flatter than a plain crepe compared to any single episode of The Nightly Show.

4th book read in Amy's 2016 Reading Challenge (#5 on the list - Read a book about race). http://this-strenuous-life.com/2016/0...
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