Being a Black man who stutters creates emotionally exhaustive pressure

Kaleb Brown

Submitted photo/Kaleb Brown

Growing up, I never saw many Black men who stuttered. I didn't have a mirror to look into or someone who looked like me and shared similar experiences. There was a lot of isolation that came with that.”

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The National Stuttering Association Conference 2027 is scheduled for July 7-11, 2027, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. To learn more about speakers, workshops, social activities or to register, visit westutter.org/nsa-annual-conference-2027.

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OPINION — The weight of being a person who stutters is a lot to carry on your shoulders. There are days when it takes up so much space in your life that it can become emotionally exhausting. It can be difficult to navigate, and, at times, feel like an uphill battle.

The weight of being a Black man who stutters brings another level of weight. It can feel like constantly having to prove that you belong.

Think about situations that many people may never consider. Have you ever thought about what might happen if you were pulled over by a police officer and began to stutter while answering questions?

Would your speech be misunderstood? Could your hesitation or repetitions be interpreted as nervousness or suspicious behavior? Would you be given the patience and grace to communicate, or would assumptions be made before you could finish your sentence?

Pressure to be the best

Being Black in America, you recognize the history of how far Black Americans have had to come to gain equal opportunities, leadership positions and seats at tables where we have historically been excluded.

You feel the pressure to be the best at what you do because you understand how much sacrifice and perseverance it has taken for Black Americans to gain access to those opportunities.

You may find yourself constantly trying to prove that you belong. You want people to recognize your abilities, intelligence and contributions rather than focus on how you communicate.

Over time, that constant pressure can become exhausting. You can become emotionally drained and eventually experience burnout from always feeling like you have something to prove.

Growing up without a mirror

Growing up, I never saw many Black men who stuttered. I didn't have a mirror to look into or someone who looked like me and shared similar experiences. There was a lot of isolation that came with that.

One of the stories in the Bible that I always found myself going back to while growing up that gave me a lot of encouragement was the story of Moses in the book of Exodus.

Moses struggled with his speech and expressed concerns about his ability to communicate. He questioned whether he was the right person for the assignment God had given him.

Yet God still chose Moses.

That story has always encouraged me because it reminds me that our perceived limitations do not determine our purpose.

As I surrendered my life to Jesus, it meant I had to surrender my identity to Him. I learned to see myself through the lens of who God says I am rather than how I sometimes would perceive myself or how the world perceives me.

Step into your God-given identity. I have learned that my identity is not defined by my stutter. Our voices have purpose, our testimonies have meaning and God has wonderfully crafted us.

Glendale native Kaleb Brown is a Peoria High and University of Oklahoma grad who is on staff at Phoenix-based nonprofit First Place AZ. He wrote this for Independent Newsmedia as part of a monthly series dispelling myths about stuttering as the Valley prepares to host the 2027 National Stuttering Association Conference. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to azopinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.