I heard a Bible Teacher say once, I have a loud voice because God gifted me to teach. I speak loudly not because I am gifted to teach, and I do, but because I am from a big family and when we get together we talk over each other. Over the years, I have noticed Black women who talk loud when it is not necessary. The Bible Teacher was speaking in an arena with a microphone that was linked to many speakers, the audience in the hallway would have heard her speak.
How many people told me I was talking to loud before I realized I, a Black woman, was talking to loud? I started monitoring my conversations, I wanted to be heard because my words were important, not so someone would tell me to lower my voice. There were times when I talked in a softer lower tone: when I visited certain family members, when I was relaxed and when I was on the phone at work. Also, when I lacked confidence in the validity of what I was saying, I did not speak loudly. I can control my voice volume.

1 Kings 19:11-12 (KJV)
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

When we speak loud and forceful, like the wind; people bundle up, hear our voice but don’t pay attention to what we are saying. When we shout, when we are loud and wrong, like a fire; people protect themselves from the burn, perceived harm of the words. In order to get someone’s attention we, I, need to speak in a non-combative way, a still (calm) voice; a loving voice.

Yelling is indicative of anger, fear and/or defensiveness. I suspect there are a lot of angry Black women in the United States of America, many identify as Christian but lack unconditional love.. I firmly believe when the anger is replaced by the love of God (1 John 4:7-11) there will be calmness and peace (Philippians 4:17) within her soul; the shouting will go away.

WRITTEN BY: Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

1 John 4:7-11 (KJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.