Fires in the Mirror is a book by Anna Deavere Smith about the Crown Heights riots. The book is a series of monologues based on interviews that Smith conducted with people who were involved in or affected by the riots.The Crown Heights riots were a series of riots that took place in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, in August 1991. The riots began on August 19, 1991, after a car in the motorcade of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the Lubavitch Hasidic community, accidentally struck and killed a seven-year-old black child, Gavin Cato. Hours later, a group of black youths attacked and killed Yankel Rosenbaum, a 29-year-old Hasidic Jew. The riots lasted for three days and resulted in the injury of nearly 200 people.In the aftermath of the riots, Smith conducted over 150 interviews with people from all walks of life who were affected by the riots. These interviews formed the basis for her book, which is structured as a series of monologues. The monologues explore the various perspectives of those involved in or affected by the riots, and offer a deep and nuanced look at the complex issues at play.Fires in the Mirror is an important work of documentary theatre that sheds light on a little-known moment in American history. It is a powerful and moving exploration of race, religion, and violence.