
This Is the Fire
What I Say to My Friends About Racism
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Narrated by:
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Don Lemon
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By:
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Don Lemon
About this listen
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.
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What listeners say about This Is the Fire
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- Slimsherri
- 03-19-21
Yes Don you told it like was
I’m glad to have did the audio because I would have not been able to say it like Don Lemon I love listening to him because the tone of his voice speak louder then his words
Thank you Don great listen
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6 people found this helpful
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- William
- 03-20-21
From Baldwin to Lemon
Amazing well written narrative with an important message that we all need to hear. A combination of personal heartfelt stories of love caring and heartbreak.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Jodie Mansuy
- 04-11-21
Enlightening Book
Perfect narration and a great book. It opened my eyes to many things that as a middle aged white woman I don't experience. The personal stories mixed in with modern events helped me better understand the continuing struggle with racism in the world.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Carmen B
- 03-31-21
Really Awesome Read
This book by Don Lemmon I loved. The author gave phenomenal advice & history for us to overcome racism. A gr8 listen!
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- Diamond
- 06-14-21
The Truth
Most memorable was when Don took his mother to Africa Also when Don purchased a cutting boards, return them plus when Don's Family were on the Bridge this moment to me brought them closer and their time of pain
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- Pat Mixon
- 07-08-21
Changed the way I see my world!
First and foremost, Don Lemon is the best narrator of a book I have ever heard. His voice is poetic and lovely as he reads his truth from the pages of this book. I have admired him on TV and knew he forced me to think more deeply than most reporters but, I was not prepared for the life changing words and challenges he laid at my feet. I will never see my world the way I did before I read, This is The Fire What I Say to My Friends About Racism. His lovely voice makes the tough truth he presents all the more painful for his readers. I was born in 1951 and vividly remembered the 60s and the shock of the loses we suffered because of hate. I thought I knew the truth about racism in the south. At 70 I realize I know nothing about the real history of racism! I have to now open my mind and have to rethink those years. I saw only my white truth which was all that was offered to me in those awful years. Thank you Don Lemon for writing this and for changing the way I see my world.
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Overall
- Anonymous User
- 04-14-21
This is the Fire
Absolutely loved it. I started listening on my morning walk & finished listening today. I pray that the change will come where black people can prosper equally in this USA & the world.
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- Stephanie A. Osburn
- 04-17-21
Excellent book!
So personal, yet so universal. Kudos to Don Lemon for both his writing & narration.
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- Janet
- 04-26-21
Beautifully written and performed
This is a wonderful book and great for the Audible format. I was struck by the vivid, dramatic language, artfully written and performed. Historic details and stories are interwoven with personal experiences and commentaries to build a stark and powerful picture of how we have become the country we are. As a white person, I appreciate the expression of hope, tempered with realism, that it is possible for our collective humanity to create a better today and tomorrow by understanding and accepting out past.
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- Erica Adkins
- 06-27-21
Awesome Book!
Very Well written! Really good read! I am a Huge Don Lemon Fan. I would recommend.
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