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.

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)

Learn more about the Heal Our Culture project on HealOurCulture.org.

In this heartfelt video, Wes Fryer delves into the critical need to heal our culture amidst today's polarized climate. As a middle school STEM and media literacy teacher, Wes emphasizes the importance of becoming "culture healers" instead of "culture warriors." Through three personal stories, he illustrates the power of community, family, and media literacy in bridging divides and fostering understanding. From his experience with emergency preparedness and media consumption to a moving church service for a Nicaraguan friend and a discussion about the impact of institutional racism, Wes advocates for intentional, positive engagement in our communities. He invites viewers to join the Heal Our Culture project, which aims to promote uplifting content and meaningful connections, encouraging everyone to contribute to cultural healing.

This epsiode is also available as a video on YouTube. More information is available on: https://HealOurCulture.org More ways to learn with and follow me (Wes Fryer) are available on: https://www.wesfryer.com/after/

Reflections and takeaways by Wesley and Shelly Fryer from the Racial Healing Retreat hosted by Caldwell Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The retreat was facilitated by Kimberlee Yolanda Williams, author of “Dear White Woman, Please Come Home: Hand Me Your Bias, and I'll Show You Our Connection.” Her website is engagingacrossdifference.com⁠. The retreat was sponsored by ARCC (the Anti-Racism Council at Caldwell.) Access referenced episode links and show notes on HealOurCulture.org.