Quotes from Don Lemon

More often than not, we think of ourselves as black, white, Asian, or Hispanic pretty much in this country, but the real America is much more than that.

I was hired by the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' to do commentary that makes people think. I want my audience to feel like they are learning and not being pandered to.

In general, when I watch cable news during the day, it's frustrating because it reminds me of a game show. If I want to watch 'The Price is Right,' I'll watch 'The Price is Right.'

We aren't as divided as we think we are. We're not just Republicans sitting in one corner, and Democrats sitting in the other corner.

I abhor hypocrisy.

There's a degree of deception in silence.

There are features that African Americans have that are similar! There are features that white people have that are similar! Features that Hispanic people have that are similar!

In order to be transparent, you really have to be completely honest and open, so that's how I've lived my life, and that's where I am now. I am completely transparent. There's nothing that you can't ask me and nothing I won't talk about.

I am a big devourer of James Baldwin.

I do feel that Paula Deen should not have lost her job, and I've said this on the air. The marketplace should have decided. The marketplace decided something different. Her books are No. 1.

I think the Casey Anthony trial caught a lot of news organizations off guard.

When someone is in our tribe, I think it's particularly easier for us to tell them apart, because we're used to their facial features.

I don't consider myself a celebrity. I'm just a journalist.

I think young people don't really know that much about the Civil Rights Movement and about the history of African Americans in this country. It's not taught enough in school.

The truth is the truth is the truth. And as long as you tell the truth, you'll be okay in the end.

I don't know if I would have the same take on world matters and social issues if I were not gay.

Some people are saying, 'Justin Bieber is racist.' Is he? I don't know.

I know that some things are beyond our control, some illnesses are beyond our control, we get sick, we don't know why. But let's pledge to do whatever we can to avoid those high medical bills.

Any atrocity that's committed against one person affects us all, and we are becoming more of one society, of a global society, so something that happens in the Middle East or something that happens in Africa, something that happens in Asia, affects all of us.

I've never been one to take glee in anyone's demise, and when I saw Jerry Sandusky walk out in handcuffs, I did kind of feel a bit sorry for him, even though the jury found him to do some horrific things; I was like, 'His life is over.'

People all the time say to me, 'You look just like Don Lemon,' and I would go, 'I hear that all the time! 'And after a moment, I would go, 'I am Don Lemon!'

I think if I had seen more people like me who are out and proud, it wouldn't have taken me 45 years to say it - to walk in the truth.

If I had had someone like me who had chosen to live their lives out and proud, there would be no need for the Tyler Clementis of the world.

I think it would be great if everybody could be out. But it's such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that.