Here for It
R. Eric Thomas
14 min
7 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Explore personal stories and humorous essays that tackle issues of identity, race, and navigating life in America, offering a fresh perspective on societal norms.
You'll learn
1. Dealing with life's ups and downs with a smile2. Loving yourself and owning who you are3. A peek into the life of modern-day African Americans4. The magic of sharing your life story5. Finding happiness in the little things6. The impact of faith on personal growth.Key points
01Using humor to tackle tough stuff
In "Here for It," R. Eric Thomas dives deep into the world of professional humor. Thomas, who wasn't exactly a tech whiz, stumbled upon success on Facebook. His funny takes on politics drew a crowd, and before he knew it, he was on ELLE.com's radar. But he soon learned that internet fame is a fickle friend. Even with a bunch of likes and shares, the internet's memory is like a goldfish's. If you're not constantly churning out content, you're yesterday's news. Thomas sees writing as more than just a job. It's an art that needs passion and commitment. Sure, getting paid for your creativity is a sweet deal, but if you're only in it for the money, you're not going to last. And having your work out there for everyone to see can mess with your head. You start questioning your audience's motives. Writing a column for ELLE.com was a real test of this. To stay ahead, he had to be the first to crack a joke about politics, which meant burning the midnight oil and waking up with the roosters to craft the perfect punchline. But despite the hurdles, Thomas keeps using humor as his lifeline. He believes that his knack for making people chuckle can bring a ray of hope to his readers. Thomas's journey, as he shares in his book, is a tale of finding himself and growing as a person. From a young guy grappling with his identity to a successful writer who's found his groove, Thomas's story is a nudge that we're not alone in our battles. His experiences offer a peek into the world of professional humor writing, shedding light on the ups and downs of this one-of-a-kind career.
02Life's not fair, but keep on fighting
Let's dive into the life of R. Eric Thomas, a man who learned early on that life isn't always fair, but that doesn't mean you stop fighting. As a kid, Thomas knew all about the struggle of making ends meet. His family had to stick to a shopping list, buying only what they needed, not what they wanted. It's a tough pill for a kid to swallow, but it taught him a thing or two about money management. Life isn't fair, right? Not everyone gets to be born with a silver spoon in their mouth. But Thomas' folks didn't let that get them down. They fought tooth and nail to give their kids a better life. They created a safe haven, a place where their kids could grow without worrying about the harsh realities of the world. That was their way of sticking it to life's unfairness. But as Thomas got older, he had to step out of that safe haven and face the world head-on. He had to figure out who he was, where he fit in, and how to deal with his own personal battles. It wasn't easy, and it sure as hell wasn't fair. But the lessons he learned from his parents - the importance of grit, resilience, and fighting against the odds - helped him navigate these challenges. So, what's the takeaway here? Life can be a real pain in the neck, throwing curveballs that seem impossible to hit. But the key is to keep swinging, to keep pushing through the tough times. That's a lesson Thomas learned from his folks, and it's a lesson he's carried with him ever since. In a nutshell, Thomas' story is a testament to the power of resilience and perseverance in the face of life's unfairness. It's a message of hope and determination, a reminder to keep fighting, no matter what life throws at you.
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03It's cool to feel all the feels
04Be brave, be happy
05Jokes can hurt the joker
06The secret to a good story? Be real
07Conclusion
About R. Eric Thomas
R. Eric Thomas is a renowned American playwright and author, best known for his humorous and insightful commentary on culture and politics. He is a senior staff writer for Elle.com where he writes "Eric Reads the News," a daily humor column. His book "Here for It" is a collection of essays.
