Slater Hayes Podcast

"Hostage"

July 24, 2022 Herman Veal Season 1 Episode 37
Slater Hayes Podcast
"Hostage"
Show Notes

It is my desire that the pieces that I share remain relevant. On this past Thursday I received a disturbing phone call from my sister. She informed me that my teenage nephew was, again, mourning the loss of another of his very close friends. Another victim of the rampant violence being perpetrated within the communities of Jackson, Mississippi.  My hometown.

It is beyond disturbing that our youth are resorting to armed violence to address teenage rifts. Rifts that will be deemed to be totally inconsequential if only they were allowed to become- just that.

Granted, there have been numerous efforts by both the public and private sectors to address the violence, drop-out rates and numerous other issues of topical concern that are adversely affecting our communities throughout the nation. In fact, I personally sought to address these issues by starting a non-profit mentorship program many years ago.

It is without question that our seniors and our youth are being relegated to the status of

"Hostage"

within their homes and within their minds by the persistent heinous acts that are robbing us of our rich heritage and our future.

No, I do not profess to have the panacea for the myriad issues that seem to lead to the perpetration of such acts.

However, I do know that conveying to our youth that they "ARE SEEN" when engaged in what is deemed as the mundane, as well as celebratory times may go a long way in preventing them from desiring to be seen when making their marks in ways that are non-beneficial to all concerned.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER-within our HOMES, within our community(ies) and the nation!!



OUR SPIRIT LIVES!!


PEACE!!!


______________________________________________________________________________________________







There are a number of thoughts that dwell within the recesses of my mind. Many have found their way to paper.

The prevalent issue that this piece addresses is the fear that our youth, and those that continue to exhibit youthful tendencies, are inflicting upon our communities.

The Spoken Word is about truth!
And we cannot continue to pretend that the level of palpable fear that is present due to the made for motion picture purge that is presently occurring is not real.


The manner in which we are conducting ourselves in our communities has left our seasoned members, our youth and the community at-large, to feel as if they are being held...

"Hostage"...
Grandparents are left to cower behind closed curtains, children relegated to playing outdoor games inside-afraid to venture outside because a teenager wants to express his anger towards a neighbor, a nemesis, with an extended magazine. Young men are enticed to submit to the lifestyle of a glorified gangster, simply because, in more instances than we care to admit, that is all they have to emulate.

They too, in a twisted sort of way, are being held hostage by a system that has subliminally and overtly enticed them to submit to the characterization that has been continually perpetuated in order to fulfill the purposes of others.

We must, once again, recognize our value -the importance of black men within the family and community in order for us to thrive.

I SEE all that of which we are capable.

I have also heard the dreams of black young men left to ruminate their ill-conceived actions as they serve 10 year, 20 year, LIFE bits from the dank confines of a 6 x 8 cell. Leaving them to express that they are being held hostage because of their choices... failing to understand that they are indeed hostages.

Hostage to their mind and those people, those things, that control it.

Yet...


Our Spirit Lives!!

PEACE!!!