Us and Them by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is an American humourist, author, and radio contributor. His essays and short stories are often about his family life, middle-class upbringing, and other autobiographical details. 

David Sedaris's short story "Us and Them" is a humorous and poignant exploration of class and social differences. The story follows David, a young boy who moves to a new neighbourhood and meets the Tomkeys, a family of hillbillies who live in a trailer park. David's family is middle-class and they view the Tomkeys as being "other." They are often rude and condescending to them.

However, David is fascinated by the Tomkeys. He sees that they are kind and loving, even if they are different from his own family. He also learns that they face many challenges, such as poverty and discrimination.

As David gets to know the Tomkeys, he begins to see that they are not so different from his own family after all. They are all just people trying to make their way in the world. In the end, David realizes that there is no such thing as "us" and "them." We are all just people, and we should treat each other with respect, regardless of our differences.

The story is told from David's point of view, which allows the reader to see how his perception of the Tomkeys changes over the course of the story. The story is full of humour, but it also has a serious message about the importance of understanding and respecting people who are different from us.

The story is set in the 1970s, a time when class and social differences were more pronounced than they are today. However, the story's message is still relevant today. We live in a world where people are often divided by class, race, religion, and other factors. "Us and Them" reminds us that we should not judge people based on their appearance or their social status. We should all be treated with respect, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

The story is also a commentary on the role of television in our lives. The Tomkeys do not own a television, and they are often baffled by the things that David and his family talk about. They see television as a waste of time and a distraction from the real world.

In contrast, David's family is constantly watching television. They use it as a way to escape from their own lives and to avoid dealing with real issues. The story suggests that television can be a harmful force in our lives if we allow it to become a substitute for real human interaction.

"Us and Them" is a thought-provoking story that challenges us to think about the way we view people who are different from us. It is a reminder that we should all be treated with respect, regardless of our class, race, religion, or any other factor.

Themes from the story "Us and Them":

Class and social difference: The story explores the ways in which class and social differences can shape our perceptions of others. David's family is middle-class and they view the Tomkeys as being "other." They are often rude and condescending to them. However, David is fascinated by the Tomkeys and he eventually comes to see that they are not so different from his own family after all.

The importance of understanding and respecting people who are different from us: The story reminds us that we should not judge people based on their appearance or their social status. We should all be treated with respect, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

The role of television in our lives: The story suggests that television can be a harmful force in our lives if we allow it to become a substitute for real human interaction. The Tomkeys do not own a television, and they are often baffled by the things that David and his family talk about. They see television as a waste of time and a distraction from the real world. In contrast, David's family is constantly watching television. They use it as a way to escape from their own lives and to avoid dealing with real issues.