So Long Hokum

           The multitude of short stories and excerpts was an unexpected change. The six texts varied over content and time. The first, Book of Harlem by Zora Neale Hurston, dated circa 1921 and the last, The Mulatto Millenium by Danzy  Senna dated 1998. Each story approached race differently with unique intent and delivery. I found three stories in particular where I at least laughed once: Dirty Deceivers, The Wig, and The Mulatto Millenium.   

            Dirty Deceivers explored the relationship between two secretive lovers: Ferdinand Cortes and Lupe Rentera. Despite having a stable family, education, and job, Clefus left New York City to become a deck hand. Through a whirlwind life, Clefus became Ferdinand and became an interpreter on Ellis Island. I thought it was ironic and funny that Ferdinand was eager to leave America, and now he is the first stop for immigrants. I also found humor in the effort that Ferdinand and Lupe went to in covering up true identities. While I don’t think it is necessary to go to lengths to hide your true identity, or try to hide it in the first place, I found humor in the situation. A married couple hid the same thing from each other in fear of the other. Weekly, Ferdinand and Lupe traveled to Harlem, got a haircut, and explored the city. Neither ran into the other or had suspicions. Yet, when Lupe saw a letter his coat pocket, she couldn’t help read the letter. She was so happy at the discovery, she woke him. To top everything off, they are from the same town and are distantly related. I was not expecting them to be related so I found the whole exchange to be humorous. But, soon after the happy exchange, the couple begins to grow apart. Both became angry with the other for lying about his or her background. I loved the ending quote – “In fact, they got so mad at each other they quit speaking and are now suing for divorce on the grounds of false pretenses.’ I laughed out loud at this part; I loved the clever ending and thought it made the story more humorous.

            The excerpt from The Wig by Charles Wright was also funny. While I wasn’t laughing throughout the story, I thought there was situational humor. The excerpt begins with a large rat walking around Nonnie Swift’s living room. Nonnie was frightened and called Lester to help her. Lester begins to fight the giant, stubborn rat. I appreciated Nonnie’s piece of advice, “Call him Rasputin. They love that.” I found it to be unexpected and laughed when it actually worked for Les. After killing the first rat, Les tempts the other rats out of the walls. When they come, he battles them. I didn’t realize that Les wanted to save the rat pelt at first. I was surprised that this was prided upon. I was also surprised to find out that Nonnie and Les were not in a relationship. The tables quickly turned after Mrs. Tucker, the neighbor, came to congratulate Les on his kills. Nonnie says she is going to report Les for not having a license. As it turns out, rat killing is a manly sport. The whole cognitive shift of Nonnie turning, rat killing being a sport, and Les ignoring her was humorous. I enjoyed the change from the expected ending. Additionally, I was shocked at the ending paragraph. That was a whole other cognitive shift. I was not expecting Les to be dreaming about another woman so intensely. Despite the ending, I liked this excerpt.

            Overall, I enjoyed the reading selection this time. I haven’t found the majority of our readings from Hokum funny. I appreciated the change and the humor I was able to find for the final readings of Hokum.