Black Guy White Guy Talking

BGWGTalking

5.0 (14)
SOCIETY & CULTURE

Good friends talk about race and race relations.

03/14/2024

#21 - Yusef Komunyakaa

In this episode, we welcome the distinguished poet Yusef Komunyakaa, celebrated for his poetry exploring African American identity, his experiences of the Vietnam war, and a writing style influenced by jazz and blues. We begin by discussing one of his latest projects, the comic series Jupiter Invincible, before diving into his poem-writing process. Komunyakaa also reflects on his upbringing in Louisiana, as well as thought-provoking topics like the concept of racism as a mental illness and Christ as a socialist. An excerpt from this interview can be found in the Georgia Review here.

37 min
03/02/2023

#20 - Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

In this episode we have an informative conversation with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, as we discuss the impact of Black Homeownership and the impacts that banks have had on generational wealth for black people.

34 min
01/26/2023

#19 - Gabriel Bryant

In this episode, we have an enlightening conversation with Gabriel Bryant about the state of the black community, the external and internal forces that impact the community, his ongoing service to the people that exist within it, as well as the importance of collective responsibility to ensure its growth. We also discuss the efforts and significance of past and present leaders within the black community.

47 min
11/19/2020

#18 - Nell Irvin Painter

In our season finale, we welcome leading American historian and author Nell Irvin Painter. We start by discussing the current political climate, why so many Americans voted for Trump, American exceptionalism, gentrification, political mobilization, and disenfranchisement. Nell reflects on the connection between being an artist and a historian, her encounters with Malcolm X, religion, and the meaning of race. Also, we talk about the impact of the summer BLM protests, capitalizing ‘White,’ hope for the future, and so much more. Episode links: Painter’s NYT article, It Shouldn’t Be This Close. But There’s Good News, Too: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/opinion/election-voting-violence.html Painter’s Washington Post article, Why ‘White’ Should Be Capitalized, Too: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/22/why-white-should-be-capitalized/ Painter’s book, Creating Black Americans: https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Black-Americans-African-American-Meanings/dp/0195137566 http://www.nellpainter.com/publications/creatingreviews.html Painter’s book, The History of White People: https://www.amazon.com/History-White-People-Irvin-Painter/dp/0393339742 https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/books/review/Gordon-t.html Painter’s artist book, American Whiteness Since Trump: https://jamesfuentes.online/nell-painter-american-whiteness-since-trump Painter’s artist book, From Slavery to Freedom: http://www.nellpainter.com/art/slaverytofreedom.html Biden’s ‘you ain’t black’ comment in interview: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/22/politics/biden-charlamagne-tha-god-you-aint-black/index.html

56 min
11/12/2020

#17 - Healing from Trauma in Philadelphia with Brother Robb Carter

In Episode 17, we welcome Brother Robb Carter, a leading expert on African and African American history and culture, racial socialization, and the effects of trauma and white supremacy. We ask Brother Robb Carter about his experiences with healing from the trauma of racism, working as a mentor for young men, connecting to the younger generation, and much more. We talk about why trauma is a taboo topic, the stigma around mental health and therapy in the Black community and recovering from dehumanizing situations. Also: the N-word, Trump, implicit biases, the police, microaggressions, spirituality and poetry. Episode Links: Police take a Black toddler from his family’s car and use his picture for propaganda: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/10/30/philadelphia-fop-posts-toddler/

1h 1m
11/05/2020

#16 - Community & Religion with Terrell McCray

In this episode we welcome Terrell McCray, a Baptist minister and senior human resources manager, to have a conversation with us about community and religion. Terrell tells us what motivates him to serve as a minister, what it’s like to perform burial ceremonies and give eulogies with COVID-19 restrictions, the importance of seeing the world, and much more. Also, we talk about faith, spirituality, holding the Church accountable, and religion as a cause for connection but also strife.

35 min
10/29/2020

#15 - Reparations Part 2

In Episode 15, we visit the Point Breeze neighborhood in South Philadelphia to speak with local residents about their feelings on reparations. We hear people’s opinions on if they think Black people are owed reparations, who specifically should get them, and why. Also, we ask the respondents an interesting question: what annoys them most about white and Black people. We reflect on each person’s response and weigh in with our own opinions and experiences.

22 min
10/22/2020

#14 - John Murillo

In this episode, we invite distinguished poet John Murillo to talk about his poetry, storytelling, social justice, how Black people are portrayed in the media, and much more. We also discuss police community relations, being a poet of witness, our society’s obsession with filling silences, and the importance of solitude. Episode links: John Murillo’s book Up Jump the Boogie: https://www.amazon.com/Up-Jump-Boogie-John-Murillo/dp/0981913148 John Murillo’s book Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry: https://www.amazon.com/Kontemporary-Amerikan-Poetry-Stahlecker-Selections/dp/1945588470/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&qid=1611080922&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+Murillo&s=books&sr=1-4&text=John+Murillo

33 min

5

out of 5

14 Ratings

Deep Dive

07/30/2020

NoDocument

Truly thoughtful conversations between two amazing individuals.

Good friends talk about race and race relations.

Creator

BGWGTalking
Years Active

2020 - 2024
Episodes

21
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025 Black Guy White Guy Talking
Show Website

Black Guy White Guy Talking