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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. It is... an acknowledgement of TIME!
That indescribable part of this journey that is left to be identified oftentimes through the occurrence of life altering events -be they happy or sad.

During those events we are entirely unaware of the changes that will ultimately manifest in our appearance and our abilities, or lack thereof, to appropriately address a specific event or those of a similar nature.

I oftentimes am left to wonder what specific event led to the increase in the depth of the wrinkles that adorn my forehead.  They were once smooth!!
I oftentimes wonder if the revisiting of past life circumstances will actually lead to the further deepening of those specific furrows or are those thoughts coalescing in other areas-CREATING even more wrinkles in other places.

There is one thing of which I am certain though, the wisdom contained within each would not be present if I had not come into the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST!!

Let those who KNOW, say AMEN!!


OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!!


PEACE!!!

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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 what was necessary to abate the movement that was confronting America during that time.

We were fortunate on that day, 28 months ago. Undoubtedly, on the day of the presidential election, some of those that appeared at the polls to cast their votes had a change of heart and decided that this experiment called democracy was worthy of continuing. So, they stepped into the ballot booth and voted for the person that more closely represented their idea of the America that was intended.

I was not of the belief that the fever that was prevalent was miraculously broken. Nor do I now believe that the malady that continues to inflict many and seeks to relegate certain segments of society to times past has been eradicated.

That day, however, could go down in history as the day that Americans actually LISTENED to what was being adamantly stated and inferred by those seeking to hold the highest office in the land. No, I do not wholly believe that their change in thinking was due to an act of altruism. Instead, it is my contention that a number of rational individuals realized that those things that were being propagated and carefully plotted were also designed to return them to a time when their individual freedoms would also be threatened and greatly limited.

My regret is that those who coalesced and breathed that fateful sigh did not blow hard enough to fully extinguish the raging fire of hatred and non-acceptance that is presently furiously engulfing the land.

I pray the proselytization efforts by those advocating hatred is an abject failure and that the hearts of those who have been previously indoctrinated are touched by a tremendous move of the HOLY SPIRIT.


OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!!


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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 and into my teenage years.

Throughout this time, as I recall, I never had the opportunity to witness any adult male within my family, or closely associated with me, shed tears, of joy or sorrow.

Within my community crying was looked upon as a sign of weakness-setting oneself up to be taken advantage of because of one's "softness". This way of thinking, as I remember, was prevalent throughout my community. And by community, I mean within homes, schools, churches and every other place that one commonly associates with community.

I wonder now how the ill-effects of this failure to show true emotion has negatively affected millions and millions of people , primarily BLACK MEN, along the way.

I ask, myself. "is it yet another remnant of the whip" that has been allowed to perpetually manifest throughout our community?

Am I unintentionally perpetuating this way of thinking?

What about you-what "wrong-headed" ways of thinking are you unintentionally passing on to your child?



0UR SPIRIT LIVES!!!


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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 and grace that are fresh and new each and every day.
My prayer is that we ALL take note of this special gift and the numerous memories that we have to enjoy as we travel along this journey.
ENJOY this piece as you take note of the change for which we are thankful...PEACE!!!

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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 what occurred. Concurrently, just as many were stating their rationale as to why it was incumbent upon the entirety of society to view the footage.

I decided to view the footage. I WAS ABSOLUTELY APPALLED by what I viewed!!
A group of police officers beating Tyre Nichols...to death!!

This young man, when realizing what was occurring to him screamed for the one person, that throughout our lives, we have been conditioned to believe will protect us...

"Ma-muuhh"
is a piece that is in recognition of the fear that was being experienced by Tyre during his senseless and brutal beating. Additionally, it is an attempt to put into words the tremendous pain and long-term suffering that is inflicted upon the thousands of mothers who have had to endure that which is unnatural....THE BURYING of one's child.

Our society in some way has hardened its hearts towards those who have experienced this pain. Whether the perpetrators are the police or, "yea, that one who grew up in the house with the purple doors right next to you (COLOR CODED)", the grief is the same.
Such grief is not something that one's acts of pride, cowardice, and selfishness should wantonly and callously inflict upon another...EVER!!

It is my prayer that the Spirit of Jehovah Shalom embrace all who have been left to endure such grief and that there is imminent healing within our land!!


OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!!


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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 of my church..." I was created to make something or SOMEONE better"

His name Maurice "Mo" Howard.  Mo, as he is known by many, is a Maryland Terp basketball legend and matriculated prior to my arrival. He is a gentleman with whom I communicate quite frequently, via DM.

His recent post that states that one does not need vision to see parallels a piece that I entitled

"Vision"
I originally planned to publish this piece on February 26, 2023. I felt that I had to post it now because it is apparent to me that the message contained within Mo's post and "Vision" is a message that must be conveyed immediately in order to reach those that are in need of the inspiration contained within it.

Thank you Mo' for provoking me to publish this piece at this specific time.

Thank you for ALL you do!!!


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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 propagated within our community in order to further the levels of emotional and economic distress that are becoming more and more prevalent.

It is now easy to identify one who possess an unwillingness or reticence to provide assistance to that neighbor, relative or friend- deeming them "always in need of a handout".    Expressing that belief publicly was previously viewed as anathema within the Black community.

It seems that the mantra "It Takes a Village" has been thrown overboard.

This piece

"Word Power"
was written when it seemed as though I was being inundated by persons who were effusive in their belief that what they attained, or were in the process of attaining, was solely due to their individual efforts.

Yes, success oftentimes hinges on the amount of personal effort and commitment devoted to a specific desire or goal. However, one should never be deluded into thinking that one succeeds entirely due to individual effort.

Regrettably, the entire concept of "the village" may be becoming a thing of the past.


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Well, what we have oftentimes attributed to the white man has now found its' way into the public arena within our community.

The OPPRESSED have now publicly demonstrated that we have indeed become willing instruments of the OPPRESSOR.

Sure, we can point to periods throughout the annals of time that the black man has utilized force and other manners of brutality to exercise control over our own. However, there always appeared to be an  extrinsic reward that was proffered in return for our callous behavior toward one another.

In the matter concerning the Memphis Police Officers there appears to be no reward other than an intrinsic desire to inflict harm upon another. Some have speculated and conjectured that something other than what we verifiably know has to be a part of the equation that led to the brutal, and mob style beating that was inflicted on the young brother, Tyre Nichols. Only time and the continuing investigation of all concerned will adequately address those things.

"Round and Round"
is a piece that was not composed in the aftermath of the heinous act perpetrated in Memphis. In fact, I held back this piece as in order to share it during the celebration of Black History Month. However, I do not think that there is a better time to share it than NOW.
This is a piece that expresses how we as BLACK MEN have an obligation to demonstrate LOVE and RESPECT for ourselves and EACH OTHER.

Absent of those two factors, LOVE and RESPECT, we will continue to experience a culture that repeatedly finds US in the position of victimization that is inflicted by THE SYSTEM, but even more sadly, BY EACH OTHER.

It is incumbent upon US to demonstrate better through our actions.


OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!!


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Critical Race Theory, Loving, Voting Rights, Affirmative Action...all these and many more are now under scrutiny.

There are those that accuse me of tripping, of simply being the purveyor of hyperbole.

I think many, if paying attention, now see that the movement inspired by 45 has now become reality, due primarily to the judicial picks that were ramrodded through by the person occupying the seat of senate majority leader during his term.

The Dodd decision that determined that an uncodified Roe was unconstitutional is a precursor to years old decisions being brought back before the court with the probability of being overturned. This was something that was never before imagined. However, this current group of conservative justices is delivering a less than subtle message...

STARE DECISIS be damned!!

"Oz Revealed"
is a piece that was written that highlights a few of the sacred private parts of life that are at risk of being dramatically changed.
If anyone remembers, when ToTo pulled back the curtain and exposed Oz, it humbled him and brought him to the point of being willing to CHANGE. Unfortunately, this current MISCHIEF seems to crave the light -the exposure. Their actions are providing substance and fuel to a fire that is at imminent risk of burning out of control. 

Thus, further perpetuating the actions of those whose mindsets are engulfed with an insatiable desire to purposely impose their wills on all those who are not similarly aligned.

I pray that the FEVER SOON BREAKS


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Whether it be within neighborhood communities, the Capitol or the Halls of Congress, the trickeration of those who are seeking to hijack this experiment called democracy is real.

The sycophants have all exposed themselves and are hell-bent on maintaining their visibility and continuing in their craven desire to circumvent the will of the people, irrespective of the damage that it may create.

"Hiding No More"
is my way of calling them out. My way of letting them know that i am not deluded as to their intent regardless of their manner of dress.

Wake up America (Read as decent white folks) ...for you too shall become victims-collateral damage to those whose aspirational dreams do not include you in their visions of amerikkka.

And you know if they care LESS THAN A DAMN about you and your plight then WE ...WELLL!!!


***#ishallnotbebamboozlednorhoodwinked


OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!!


PEACE!!!