Slater Hayes Podcast

Send us Fan Mail There is a simple but sincere question at the end of this piece. NO, it is not rhetorical. I know that situations change and the environment in which they opoerate has become exponentially more complex. However, it still leads me to pose a question, even in the title... "Where, Oh Where" It seems that, attitudinally, those donning the shields of law enforcement, have bec...

Send us Fan Mail If one can remove SELF from situations, then it will allow for "a real understanding" of the needs of others and become sensitive to the fact that we ALL desire similar things. ___________________________________________________________________________________________  We have all heard the stories!! Whether they emanate from within your inner circle, or from that person...

Send us Fan Mail Oftentimes, life, irrespective of our current circumstances or condition(s), provides that thing that tugs at our heart strings or provides a constant reminder that the time is now for change. Throughout scripture the number... "8" is associated with new order, creation and resurrection. I pray that this piece provides further impetus for SOMEONE-that one listener who is...

Send us Fan Mail If this past week -past since whenever- is not indicative of the lack of concern for the everyday man/woman , then I don't know what is. The far right was prepared to bring the economy to a screeching halt simply because their puppeteer instructed them to do so.  They were prepared, among other things, to disrupt day care, end Meals on Wheels, delay airport travel, cease cour...

Send us Fan Mail As we look around us, we quickly take note of the melting pot of ethnicities that inhabit this land. If one is of a similar age and background as me, we also quickly recognize that there now exists a vast number of ethnically diverse couples. Some of us may quickly think-"my how times have changed".  Personally, I acknowledge what I see. However, I am left to ponder whet...

Send us Fan Mail The actions of that guy residing in the governor's seat of Florida, and others of his ilk, are blatant attempts to strip US of our heritage and the significance of the role that we played in the development of ALL facets of this society. It is truly astounding, IT'S REALLY NOT, that so many citizens of this society were lying in wait for a leader to give them the go-ahea...

Send us Fan Mail Now...add Ta'kiya Young to the litany of Blacks whose lives have been extinguished at the hands of those who are sworn to serve and protect. I must admit-my spirit is grieved and, honestly, the depressed part of my personal  diagnosis is seeking to arise. "In Their Arms" is again a piece that was written several years ago. I wish I did not have cause to continue to...

Send us Fan Mail clarence, clarence, clarence...UNCLE RUCKUS!!! Oh , now I have your attention. If you do not think the buffoon occupying that seat of authority is emblematic of the above description, THEN YOU ARE WRONG for not thinking so and perhaps you possess similar traits or are a member of the puppeteer class. He, and perhaps you,  may as well travel under the moniker of "Overseer&quot...

Send us Fan Mail This piece, as some who listen may deduce, is in tribute to those who have found their lives forever altered by the depraved desires of an authoritarian dictator, Vladimir Putin. Many within the boundaries of Ukraine once considered their bordering neighbors to be of one kinship, brothers even. Sadly, they have discovered this is the furthest thing from the truth. "Fratricide...

Send us Fan Mail Well... It has all come to a head. To fruition... The dismantling of all those things for which our ancestors so valiantly fought , suffered and shed blood are being ripped away-right before our eyes. Many in authority are diligently seeking to turn this place once referred to as that "shining light upon a hill" into a bastion of hate and non -acceptance. They are exposi...

Send us Fan Mail REPUBLISH ...because SOMEONE needs to hear this!! Though this piece could lead one to only focus on the the physical atrocities perpetrated against us, daily-MAKE NO MISTAKE, the atrocities that are carried out against US encompasses each aspect of our lives. If one would note, I repeatedly use the phrase "the atrocities of never-ending acts" or some form of it throughou...

Send us Fan Mail RE-PUBLISH I SHALL NOT be hoodwinked nor bamboozled by the effervescent smiles that perpetually don the faces of those participating in individual encounters. Smiles that inexplicably disappear and become smirks when in the presence of others that resemble them. OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!! PEACE!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Send us Fan Mail May 14, 2023 (RE-BROADCAST) May 8, 2022(RE-BROADCAST) This Episode is a yearly tribute to my mom. Irrespective of the occurrences of the world, and my life, THERE WILL ALWAYS be space and a place to pay honor to her memory.  Yes, I have written other pieces in her memory, but this piece captures her essence. I LOVE YOU, Mom!!!! Enduring Endearing Understanding Supporting All descr...

Send us Fan Mail ***REPUBLISH The scourge of the Covid pandemic has been officially declared over by the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Let the celebrations begin!!! However, let us all be cognizant of the fact that some of our youth were unable to participate in those events for which we are now exhausting exorbitant amounts of money and resources. Let us be aware of the pain endured by those who mis...

Send us Fan Mail Nawwww, this is not a tribute to the mighty STEELER NATION!! Nor is it intended to pay homage to the musical genius Wiz Khalifa whose popular song "Black and Yellow" had heads rocking throughout 2010. Instead, this piece is intended to focus attention on the Minnesota Police Officer, Kimberley Wright, who committed an act of murder due to what she deemed an honest mistak...

Send us Fan Mail The actions we are now witnessing, (as if they are fresh and anew) in Tennessee, Oklahoma and throughout this land parallel the thought of what is expressed in this piece that was written after thinking of an experience that was previously conveyed  to me. However, there is no need to replay the actions and words that poured forth from the floor of the Tennessee legislature nor fr...

Send us Fan Mail Childhood...that time when everything imagined is within reach...not short-circuited by life's experiences nor observations. Too often as we proceed  through this journey of life we allow those things that have occurred during life to rob us of our youthful enthusiasm and excitement for ideas that are oftentimes GOD"S gift for us.  We then find ourselves filled with a ne...

Send us Fan Mail The crucifixion, the tomb, the RESURRECTION. Those three occurrences are the epitome of sacrifice...GIVING!!! We oftentimes equate the act of giving to those things that are easily identifiable through the purchase and exchange of elaborate gifts. Fortunately, the GIFT that we received from the events that occurred 2023 years ago were conveyed to us, freely. "The Second Word&...

Send us Fan Mail And just like that, in what seems like a blink of an eye, those things that you once traced on mom's or dad's face-their hands-are suddenly appearing on yours. Coursing their way into areas that were once taut, well defined-oftentimes never even noticed. "Topography" is my tribute to those who have been shown God's grace and mercy through the gift of time....

Send us Fan Mail This piece was written at the conclusion of the 2000 Presidential election. Those who had seemingly expressed their acceptance of the hatred that was consuming America had reached a rolling boil and was set to erupt. All in anticipation of an election result that would declare that 45 had won a second term. "Your Fire Too High" is a depiction of what was occurring and wh...

Send us Fan Mail The lessons taught and learned "Along the Way" are too numerous to capture in one short piece.  Lessons are oftentimes thought to be only dispensed by parents, teachers and others who possess positions of authority within one's life. I ruminated on this piece after it was composed. It led me to consider the number of things that I observed throughout my childhood an...

Send us Fan Mail 62 and GOD IS INDEED GOOD!!! It's my birthday--the BIG 6-0. As the years have flown by I find myself taking note of the things that I can no longer do--AS WELL. However, I also find myself able to do things with more proficiency and with less effort. The journey of life is indeed something that I give honor to GOD for on a daily basis. I continue to thank him for his mercies...

Send us Fan Mail This piece was composed while sitting on the 4th floor balcony of a hotel in Thailand. I was overwhelmed by what I was reading and seeing on all the social media platforms regarding a reprehensible beating inflicted by those of the Memphis Police department. Many were providing their rationale as to why African Americans should not read the articles nor view the camera footage of...

Send us Fan Mail Mid -week Post!!! I am a firm believer that there is NO coincidence with Christ. This piece was penned at the outset of the journey that is now Slater Hayes, Productions. I was scrolling through my Facebook page and came across a post from a man whom I consider a great father, inspiration, community advocate, believer in our youth. In general a person that personifies the mantra o...

Send us Fan Mail During this month of Black History, I think it important that we seek a better understanding of a mindset that is becoming more and more pervasive within OUR community. That of which I speak is the notion that we are SELF-MADE individuals that can traverse this journey without anyone else providing anything necessary for the ride. This mindset seems s to be intentionally propagate...