Jaylene Clark Owens - My Voice, My Choice

Summary

Jalen Clark Owens delivers a powerful monologue exploring the complexities of voice modulation among black individuals, particularly women. The script critiques societal conditioning that compels them to alter their voices to appear non-threatening or more pleasing to others. Owens challenges the notion that one's voice should be suppressed or changed based on the environment, advocating for the authenticity and power of one's natural voice. The monologue serves as a call to embrace and own one's true voice, regardless of societal expectations or judgments.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The speaker, Jay Lee Clark Owens, intentionally alters their voice to make it sound higher and more pleasing, which contrasts with their natural, deeper voice.
• 🤔 There's an unconscious effort to suppress their authentic voice to gain trust and avoid being perceived as too harsh or aggressive.
• 🚫 The speaker critiques societal conditioning that leads women to adopt a weaker voice to appear less threatening and more agreeable, especially in professional settings.
• 🏴‍☠️ The script touches on the historical and cultural significance of voice, linking the 'ghetto' sound to ancestral African languages and the experience of being black.
• 👩‍💼 The speaker challenges the notion that one must 'code-switch' or alter their voice to fit into predominantly white or professional spaces.
• 🗣️ The narrative emphasizes the importance of owning one's voice, regardless of societal expectations or judgments, and advocates for its validity and power.
• 🌿 The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of breaking ingrained habits of altering their voice but expresses a willingness to try and let their voice be heard authentically.
• 🌆 The script highlights the pride in the speaker's Harlem roots and the unique, gritty voice that reflects their upbringing and experiences.
• 🚫 The speaker rejects the idea that their voice should be muted or modified to fit into someone else's comfort zone, advocating for self-expression and authenticity.
• 💪 The final message is one of empowerment, encouraging the speaker and others to embrace their natural voices and to not be defined by others' perceptions or stereotypes.

Q & A

What does Jay Lee Clark Owens imply by saying 'this is not my voice'?

Jay Lee Clark Owens implies that the voice they are using is not their natural speaking voice but one that is artificially elevated and softened to be more pleasing to the listener, which is a conscious choice rather than their usual vocal register.

Why does Jay feel the need to suppress their 'real me'?

Jay feels the need to suppress their 'real me' because they have been conditioned to believe that a higher, less harsh voice is more trustworthy and acceptable in certain social and professional settings.

What does the term 'Harlem' signify in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'Harlem' signifies the speaker's cultural and geographical roots, and it is used metaphorically to represent the authentic, unfiltered voice and identity of the speaker.

Why is the speaker's voice described as 'too flat' to be left 'sitting in the cut'?

The speaker's voice is described as 'too flat' to emphasize that their natural voice is not being utilized in certain situations, and instead, they are suppressing it to fit into societal expectations, which is likened to leaving something valuable unused or hidden.

What is the significance of the phrase 'as a woman we are conditioned' in the script?

The phrase 'as a woman we are conditioned' highlights the societal conditioning that women, including the speaker, face, which teaches them to be meek and less assertive to avoid being perceived as threatening or aggressive.

Why does Jay mention 'angry black woman' in the script?

Jay mentions 'angry black woman' to address the stereotype that black women are often labeled as angry, even when they are not, which influences how they are perceived and how they may feel the need to modify their behavior and speech to counteract this stereotype.

What does the speaker mean by 'eg our Louis Armstrong's'?

The speaker uses the phrase 'eg our Louis Armstrong's' to suggest that they can mimic a more soothing and non-threatening voice, similar to the jazz musician Louis Armstrong, to fit into environments where their natural voice might be perceived as too confrontational.

Why does Jay say that 'this voice is spectacular'?

Jay says that 'this voice is spectacular' to emphasize the beauty and power of their authentic voice, which is a pure expression of their thoughts and feelings, and should not be suppressed or changed to fit into societal norms.

What is the 'code-switching' mentioned in the script, and why is it significant?

The 'code-switching' mentioned in the script refers to the practice of changing one's language, accent, or manner of speaking to fit into different social or professional settings, often to be perceived as more acceptable or to avoid discrimination.

Why does Jay say 'this space is black 24/7'?

Jay says 'this space is black 24/7' to express that their identity as a black person is constant and not something that can be turned on or off based on time or place, emphasizing the importance of owning and embracing one's authentic voice at all times.

What is the final message Jay wants to convey about their voice?

The final message Jay wants to convey is that they will attempt to break the ingrained habit of suppressing their authentic voice and will strive to own and stand up for its validity and power, even if it means challenging societal expectations.