This Is the Fire audiobook cover - What I Say to My Friends About Racism

This Is the Fire

What I Say to My Friends About Racism

Don Lemon

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Society & CultureBiography & Memoir

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This Is the Fire
The 2020 Turning Point+
Deliberate Systemic Racism+
Empathy Deficit+
Justice System Reform+
Dismantling False Narratives+
Economic Roots and Solutions+
Actionable Steps+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the author, what does the 'fire' represent in the context of James Baldwin's 1963 prediction?
  • A. Apocalyptic destruction resulting from a failure to address racial injustice.
  • B. The burning of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • C. The passion and energy of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
  • D. The economic fallout resulting from boycotting racist businesses.
Question 2 of 7
How does the author view Donald Trump's presidency in relation to America's racism problem?
  • A. As an unfortunate anomaly that temporarily stalled the country's progress toward racial equality.
  • B. As a necessary symptom that forced the country to openly acknowledge its deep-rooted racism.
  • C. As the primary cause of the racial tensions that culminated in the 2020 protests.
  • D. As a calculated political strategy designed solely to distract from economic inequality.
Question 3 of 7
Why does the author argue that America's racist system was created deliberately?
  • A. Because early lawmakers explicitly wrote racist ideologies into the original draft of the Constitution.
  • B. Because it evolved naturally from the cultural differences between European settlers and enslaved Africans.
  • C. Because it was a conscious choice designed to dehumanize Black people for the economic benefit of white people.
  • D. Because early colonial leaders needed a way to justify their rebellion against British rule.
Question 4 of 7
What concern does the author raise regarding viral videos of racially motivated killings, such as the murder of George Floyd?
  • A. He worries that the videos violate the privacy of the victims and their families.
  • B. He questions when the public will become desensitized and stop needing images of Black suffering to mobilize for change.
  • C. He fears that the videos distract from the broader statistical reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • D. He believes that sharing these videos online ultimately empowers white supremacists.
Question 5 of 7
According to the text, why does the author disagree with the movement to 'defund the police'?
  • A. It is unrealistically simple and alienates potential allies needed for systemic change.
  • B. It would lead to a dramatic increase in violent crime in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
  • C. It violates federal laws regarding state and local law enforcement budgets.
  • D. It prevents police departments from purchasing the technology needed to monitor internal bias.
Question 6 of 7
How does the author suggest society should handle historical artifacts, books, and movies that promote white supremacist narratives?
  • A. They should be completely banned and removed to protect marginalized groups from further harm.
  • B. They should be 'canceled' and the creators should be boycotted to send a strong economic message.
  • C. They should be preserved in private collections rather than displayed in public spaces.
  • D. They should be consumed with necessary context, calling out the flawed tropes rather than destroying the artifacts.
Question 7 of 7
According to the author, what is the most effective way for Black people and their allies to combat racism in the economic structure?
  • A. By appealing to the moral conscience and remorse of racist business owners.
  • B. By establishing entirely separate economic systems that do not interact with traditional banks.
  • C. By using their spending power to boycott racist brands and filing lawsuits to make racism economically unsustainable.
  • D. By relying primarily on government grants and federal reparations to rebuild Black communities.

This Is the Fire — Full Chapter Overview

This Is the Fire Summary & Overview

This is the Fire (2021) highlights the current moment as a turning point for the fight against racism in the United States. Touching on the Trump presidency, police brutality, and the global pandemic, it explores the racist history, structures, and ideas that have long plagued America, and proposes ways of using this moment to create positive change.

Who Should Listen to This Is the Fire?

  • People who want to understand racism in America
  • Those interested in social justice
  • White people looking to become better allies

About the Author: Don Lemon

Don Lemon is an award-winning journalist and CNN prime-time anchor. He’s covered presidential elections, moderated political town halls, and was a leading voice during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Lemon is also an adjunct professor at New York’s Brooklyn College and the author of the 2011 memoir Transparent.

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