Info

What's Ray Saying?

Raymond Christian's storytelling is born out of his own life experiences: inner city poverty, race relations, military, family, travel, and adventure.
RSS Feed
What's Ray Saying?
2021
April


2019
August


2018
December
June
February
January


2017
April
March
January


2016
December
September
July
June
May
April
March


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: Page 1
Apr 18, 2021

In this episode Ray explores the legacy of Black Children taken as slaves from Africa, growing up on Plantations and their social worth and  development in America

Aug 21, 2019

In this episode Ray explores the complex history and relationship between Black Americans and the Native people of America

Aug 6, 2019

Ray explores Black leadership from the 40s to present  its challenges and its legacy

Dec 21, 2018

Ray explores Black leadership from the emergence of an elite class, with varying perspectives and experiences.

Jun 14, 2018

In this episode part 1 of a 3 part series on Black leadership Ray explores the origins of Black influence and authority in America.

Feb 26, 2018

In this episode Ray explores the cultural and historical significance of Afro textured hair

Feb 11, 2018

In this episode Ray explores the history and complicated relationship with Black Americans and the police

Jan 31, 2018

In this episode Ray explores Black American association with the South and why Black are concentrated in urban areas of the country.

Jan 24, 2018

In this episode Ray talks about Black American naming practice, history, traditions and conventions from slavery to the 20th century

Jan 13, 2018

In this episode Ray completes the long journey of getting his stories heard, tells his life story and puts storytelling in context

Apr 17, 2017

In this episode Ray continues to explore his storytelling journey after the Risk show. He talks about his appearance on the Moth Radio hour, a story in Readers Digest and  his performance on Snap Judgment, the impact of this story and his reflections on storytelling.

Mar 29, 2017

This episode traces storytelling in African American culture, from its roots in Africa, through the Middle Passage and slavery, and continuing through time until today.  Ray touches on interesting topics like which stories White people hear and which stories are just for “family.”  The episode concludes with Ray’s reflections on his introduction to the art and the first steps in his own journey.

Jan 8, 2017

In this episode Ray looks at the origins of a false narrative of Black American  History, its racist origins, the founder of revisionist history regarding the Civil War and Reconstruction, along with its influence on American society today

Dec 30, 2016

In this episode Ray examines the nature of Black American assimilation into White culture

Sep 19, 2016

What, when, how, and why Blacks learned in the US as well as what others were taught about them, from the slave quarters to HBCU’s.

Jul 26, 2016

What happens after death?  Not in the metaphysical, existential sense. But quite literally, what happens after death?  The history of the handling of bodies of Black decedents has been filled with interesting twists and turns, from blatant desecration to unusual rituals. Explore this topic with me in this episode of What's Ray Saying?

Jul 18, 2016

This special episode marks a dividing line between the old and new, where you were and where you're going, what was and what will be.  Follow the journey from "seasoning" of slaves, to the life of a domestic worker in the 60's to current questions of assimilation and acculturation.

Jun 14, 2016

From the birth of this nation until today, this episode explores the complexities of life as a soldier of color in the US.

May 11, 2016

This episode is about food stamps and gov'ment cheese, what it meant, how it helped, how we felt about it then, and what we think about it now.

Apr 21, 2016

This episode is a literal discussion of skin color- the range of visual nuances of appearances that we consider "Black", how those divisions came to be and their many implications. From the paper bag test and one drop rule to Rachel Dolezal, who is Black and why?

Apr 2, 2016

In this premiere episode, Ray details the hardships that Blacks experienced after slavery and explores the themes and patterns of struggle that continued through the generations and into his own life.

This episode contains special music by Beej Gordy Brooks and cameo "appearances" by Kevin Allison and Kristina Wong.

Mar 26, 2016

Want to know what this podcast is all about? Listen to Ray, the host, share a little of his vision and focus for the show as well as a little about himself.

1