Ep 3: James Baldwin as a Culture Healer

James Baldwin’s timeless ideas on race, identity, and healing are more relevant today than ever. In this third episode of the “Heal Our Culture” podcast, I (Wes Fryer) discuss Baldwin’s lasting legacy and why his centennial is a crucial moment to revisit his work. Drawing from personal experiences and recent cultural discussions, I share eight resources that I am personally committing to reading, listening to, or watching in the weeks ahead. These include Baldwin’s iconic essays like A Talk to Teachers and the transformative documentary I Am Not Your Negro. These works offer profound lessons for those seeking to foster understanding and healing in our divided world. Listen in to discover how Baldwin’s legacy can help us all engage as culture healers.

This podcast episode (28 min) is available as both an audio recording on Spotify and a video on YouTube.

The eight essays, books, podcasts and videos referenced in this episode are:

1. CBS Sunday Morning: “James Baldwin at 100” (5 min)
2. The Teacher’s Forum Podcast from 3 Sept 2024: “James Baldwin at 100: Teaching Race, Identity, and the Power of Truth” (56 min) – David Harris, Dr. Yven Destin and Tyron Dandridge
3. WikiPedia article on James Baldwin (English)
4. On Hulu: “I Am Not Your Negro”
5. “A Talk to Teachers.” Article by James Baldwin. October 16, 1963.
6. “James Baldwin: The Last Interview” (PDF)
7. “Here be Dragons” by James Baldwin (PDF)
8. “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin (book)