What’s Ray Saying? “Black in the Military”

Snap Judgment

Snap Judgment and PRX

Snap, Glynn, Storytelling, Wnyc, Society & Culture/personal Journals, Performing Arts, Washington, Society & Culture/documentary, Arts/performing Arts, Music, Arts

4.8 • 11.2K Ratings

🗓️ 25 February 2025

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ray looks back on his decision to join the army, unraveling a complicated history of Black military service and reflecting on the surprising changes the armed forces made in his life.

This episode contains explicit language. Please take care while listening.

This story comes to us from the incredible podcast, What’s Ray Saying? In each episode, Ray Christian, the award-winning storyteller, combat veteran, historian, and devoted father of six, invites you to become part of his community, as he shares stories from the scenic mountains of Appalachia.

Listen to What's Ray Saying? wherever you get your podcasts! To get all things Ray -- check out his website.

What's Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. What's Ray Saying? is supported by its amazing listeners, PRX, and The Moth.

Season 16 - Episode 8

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Snap Studios
0:02.0	SnapSys
0:06.0	Snappers
0:10.0	Snap's special correspondent of the surreal.
0:13.0	Dr. Raymond Christian, you've heard him jump out of an airplane while on an acid trip.
0:19.0	You've felt his elation stuck in burning man mud and you've walked with Ray of creaky
0:25.3	stairs in search of the unknown.
0:27.9	But did you know, the good doctor has his own podcast.
0:32.7	It's called What's Ray Saying?
0:34.9	Available on all podcast platforms and to close out Black History Month.
0:39.9	We want to visit Ray and hear about one of the most pivotal decisions of his entire life.
0:46.8	Joining the military.
0:49.6	Now, this story does contain explicit language.
0:53.7	Sensitive listeners are advised. What's Ray
0:56.7	saying? I should have known better. I should have known better than the owner car meant for the
1:03.5	Audubon in the damn mountains of Western North Carolina. All right, big dog. Come on. How many
1:09.8	rims have I broken?
1:11.6	Twice?
1:12.3	I have no reason driving my BMW on the bumpy-ass roads around my house.
1:18.4	This was the third visit to my mechanic in 18 months because of a rim repair.
1:23.1	It looks like we may have repaired that one before?
1:26.2	Yeah.
	...

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