This Is the Fire

What I Say to My Friends About Racism

By: Don Lemon

Narrated by: Don Lemon

Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In this "vital book for these times" (Kirkus Reviews), Don Lemon brings his vast audience and experience as a reporter and a Black man to today's most urgent question: How can we end racism in America in our lifetimes?

The host of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon is more popular than ever. As America’s only Black prime-time anchor, Lemon and his daily monologues on racism and antiracism, on the failures of the Trump administration and of so many of our leaders, and on America’s systemic flaws speak for his millions of fans. Now, in an urgent, deeply personal, riveting plea, he shows us all how deep our problems lie, and what we can do to begin to fix them.

Beginning with a letter to one of his Black nephews, he proceeds with reporting and reflections on his slave ancestors, his upbringing in the shadows of segregation, and his adult confrontations with politicians, activists, and scholars. In doing so, Lemon offers a searing and poetic ultimatum to America. He visits the slave port where a direct ancestor was shackled and shipped to America. He recalls a slave uprising in Louisiana, just a few miles from his birthplace. And he takes us to the heart of the 2020 protests in New York City. As he writes to his young nephew: We must resist racism every single day. We must resist it with love.

©2021 Don Lemon (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Poetic Voice in Our Life Today

Powerful message for all to hear today. Don Lemon has a wonderful voice for the listener and his emotions are well delivered. Only wish this book was longer.
EPC

100 Percent Fire!

This title was narrated by Don Lemon himself. Hearing the author speak authentically in his own voice was very moving. This book is perfect for people of color searching for meaning while trying to navigate the pitfalls of caste and racism. This book is also very pertinent for White people. I would definitely share this with people who have not experienced racism directly and are trying to understand Black experiences. It's perfect for when you don't know what to say to your Caucasian friend to help them understand why we are so angry and so tired. I pushed the Stars so hard that it ought to have left 10 Stars. Thank you Don Lemon for a very educational, thoughtful, and well written book. As a Black woman with a Black son the messages in this book were so powerful that it has given me much to share and discuss with my son. I lived through the Civil Rights era and he is living through Black Lives Matter and the re-emergence of White Supremacy. The author starts this book with a message to his nephew, this book is a love letter. Don Lemon has given me a love letter for my son, my daughter, and anyone willing to listen to this with an open mind and heart.

Aggressive and smooth tactics in this style on writing

I have been watching Don on cnn for a very long time!! First, I bought the book just to support. I wasn’t going to leave a message, I have been trying my hardest to contact cnn. I pray online every on Facebook for coronavirus everyday at 12 noon. Saying this, by learning such this profound education history by this book. I noticed that my prayers has advanced. Pronouncing myself on the prayer line with such clarity and fundamental style of diving deeper on topics. Simply because to read this book, I see that even if you think you have a topic stabilized. Don’s book just made me realize it’s many ways to look at an issue. So to not just have a book to read, but to learn something I really believe all African-American needs a copy of the style and the heart of this book. Really don’t think that the writers of these books see these reviews. However Don if you read this, I can truly appreciate how you help the world see how we as black people feel. You out done yourself in the knowledgeable pressing issues that we been going though since we got here. In closing, I think that if you want to know truth, trying to understand more of the black people. Yes, your black friends, employees,co-worker’s, and neighbors!! Check this book out before you prejudge. A lot of people instantly think black peoples are unpredictable. This book helps all to see what’s going on in the compressed notion of black’s moral. Good and very needful book of this times!!

Excellent. Wonderful job Don Lemon!

Really appreciate your analogies, hopefully helping to make our experiences clearer to others. Thank you.

Thank you

I appreciate Don being honest and vulnerable and sharing his story throughout this work. It’s a unique glimpse into the life of someone that comes into our homes each day, whom we believe we know. It calls the reader to see differently, react with a greater understanding, hopefully grow, evolve and act with greater consciousness. I appreciate how he opens our eyes thru his journey, a lens to a much greater vision.

I wonder why, when people write reviews, they become so ugly. Those reviews always show me whom they are.

This is an absolute MUST READ!!!

The incredible detailed research of historical ethnic treatment that isn’t taught in any school or college/university. And absolutely should be!!! The painful personal feelings of not only living through the current ethnic climate but also having to report on it professionally. The incredibly strong , solid family and at work support system is truly the key to this mans integrity, honesty and heart. We should all be so fortunate. Read and learn.

Love it!!!

Love how you spoke straight truth and did not hold back… loved it will recommend to all I know
Lidia Riggins

GOOD INSIGHT

Very articulate and thought provoking story. Great insight into the life and thoughts of a successful black male who happens to be gay and in an interracial relationship. While opinionated, it isn’t crass, insulting or demeaning. Very enjoyable.

Fully recommend to HS students

My elective class students read this book like a contemporary walk through of history. It did provoke shock especially when the ice cream truck enters the block 🤔 then shared experiences & now shared knowledge & empathy. #goodread #goodsound

wonderful

This was wonderfully written and read would read again. Don was wonderful with the historical info as well.