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This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism

This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism

by Don Lemon

Little, Brown and Company ·2021 ·224 pages
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
62/99
Maybe Someday

35/99

Critics' Rating Index

Top of the Pile

90/99

Readers' Rating Index

n/a

Scholars' Citation Index

77/99

Volume of Reviews

82/99

Volume of Reader Ratings

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About This Book

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 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 We must resist racism every single day. We must resist it with love.


Reviews

"Relatively young, a short 20 years ago, the CNN anchor was almost unknown."

Michael Henry Adams· The Guardian Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"They seem to be mainly White people."

Tre Johnson· The Washington Post Read review ↗ Maybe Someday

"a forthright, historically supported examination of the racial divisions that have plagued our nation ..."

Wesley Lowery· The New York Times Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Throughout, the author demonstrates an impressive ability to loop it all together and make it stick."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"he meanders across well-trod ground, losing some of the thrust of his arguments."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Maybe Someday

"His dismay and anguish are laid bare with a fervor that is authentic and hard-won."

Carol Haggas· Booklist Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Recommended for those interested in trying to enact systemic change."

Rebekah Kati· Library Journal Read review ↗ Near the Top

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