Issac J. Bailey | There’s nothing like a man’s voice

There’s something about the power of an adult male voice, particularly in the ears of a young man.

It resonates in a way no other voice can.

Maybe it’s biological or sociological or just something we’ll never fully grasp.

I can’t explain why that’s true, even though I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to convince myself that it isn’t.

It doesn’t mean young men don’t need the influence of women.

It doesn’t mean that countless single-mothers haven’t done an incredible job raising their boys and turning them into productive, loving, caring men.

And it isn’t a back-handed way to claim that there is only one right kind of family. The literature is clear, that the best families for children are stable and full of love, no matter who heads them or how.

It’s just a truth I can no longer discount, particularly after what I’ve learned only a couple of weeks into interacting with some of the participants of my wife’s non-profit Freedom Readers literacy program.

The program, like every other one charged with educating the young, has to rely upon committed adults dedicated to helping instill the skills students will need later in life to not only survive, but thrive. Volunteers are a godsend. I’m not sure they realize how important than are.

But it is impossible to instill those skills if the kids aren’t paying attention or are unruly. There’s no getting around that fact.

And that’s where I’ve seen a loving, but firm adult male voice make a difference. It probably also has something to do with the natural size advantage.

For some reason, it is harder for a young boy to ignore the commands of a man – when that man takes the time to establish a relationship and is consistent.

I’ll reiterate once again for clarity. I’m not suggesting that an adult woman’s voice doesn’t matter or can’t command such attention. It does everyday in countless classrooms and homes throughout the Grand Strand.

My kids need my wife’s voice just as much as they need mine.

Students in Freedom Readers or the fairly new after-school tutoring program in the Booker T. Washington neighborhood or in a variety of other programs iin other areas need multiple voices as well.

That’s where the problem lies. From everything I can tell through my reporting over the years, they are getting the woman’s voice, but in too many instances the adult male voice is missing.

Freedom Readers and other such programs need more men – black men in particular – to volunteer. Not enough of us do.

We say we want to produce better citizens and broaden the horizons of young people who might be growing up in tough, unfair situations.

We say we want the madness to end.

We have the power to make that happen … hidden in the sound of the voice God gave us.

All sorts of area non-profit and tutoring programs can make use of that talent.

Here’s another good way to get plugged in:

A local community group, United People Working Against Random Destruction, is sponsoring “Music Stops the Madness: A Rally for Peace,” from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Conway High School.

It is a musical showcase that will feature positive messages about peace, unity and non-violence.

Organizers have already secured the support of law enforcement officials, educators, business owners and others. And the Florida A&M Gospel Choir and Rose Rock are among those scheduled to make appearances.

Hopefully others, particularly men, will lend their voices to such efforts.

Call (843) 855-9268 for more information.