Today James Earl Jones is a famous actor. He’s known for his deep, booming voice. (You might know him as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies.) But at age 6, he stopped talking.

    James Earl was born in 1931. His first home was in Mississippi. His dad had left the family before James Earl was born. When James Earl was little, his mom moved away to find work. So he was raised by his grandparents John Henry and Maggie.

    On the family’s farm, James Earl played with his young aunts and uncles. They were close to his age. They were like brothers and sisters.

    John Henry and Maggie worried about the future. In the South back then, segregation made life hard for Black Americans. Racist laws kept Black people from voting or holding many types of jobs. Black kids had to go to different schools from White kids. These schools were often run-down.

    John Henry and Maggie wanted better lives for their kids.

    Today James Earl Jones is a famous actor known for his deep and booming voice. (You might know him as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies and shows.) But at age 6, he stopped talking.

    James Earl was born in 1931. His first home was in Mississippi, many miles south of Michigan. His father had left the family before James Earl was born, and his mother moved away to find work when he was little. So he was raised by his grandparents John Henry and Maggie.

    On the family’s farm, James Earl played with his young aunts and uncles. They were close to his age, and he saw them as brothers and sisters.

    John Henry and Maggie worried about their children’s futures. In the South back then, segregation made life difficult for Black Americans. Racist laws prevented Black people from voting or holding many types of jobs. Black kids had to go to different schools from White kids, and these schools were often run-down.

    John Henry and Maggie wanted their children and grandchild to have access to higher-quality schools and to more opportunities in general.

    In 1936, the family took a train up North. They moved to a new farm in Michigan.

    Like millions of other Black Americans during this time (1910-1970), they left the South in search of better lives. This movement became known as the Great Migration.

    For James Earl, the move was scary. He had many questions. Where was Michigan? Would he ever see his mom again? Soon after the move, he began to stutter.

    Scientists aren’t sure why stuttering happens. Most think it has to do with small differences in the brain. The disorder often runs in families. Sometimes it’s brought on by a sad or scary event. James Earl believes this is what happened to him.

    “I began to find it painfully difficult to talk,” he says. Like other people who stutter, he would stretch out or repeat sounds. His classmates laughed at him. So he stopped talking.

    But then came that night when he ran through the storm to save his uncle. He knew he had to speak. He forced his heart to slow down. He got the words out. The doctor was called. Randy got better.

    Still, it would be years before James Earl broke out of his silence for good.

    In 1936, the family took a train up North. They were moving to a new farm in Michigan.

    Like millions of other Black Americans during this time (1910-1970), they were leaving the South in search of better opportunities and better lives. This movement became known as the Great Migration.

    For James Earl, the trip brought fear and worry. His mind filled with questions. Where exactly was Michigan? Would he ever see his mother again? Shortly after the move, he began to stutter.

    Scientists aren’t sure why stuttering happens, but most believe it has to do with small differences in the brain. The disorder often runs in families. Sometimes it’s brought on by a very upsetting or frightening experience. James Earl believes this is what happened to him.

    “I began to find it painfully difficult to talk,” he recalls. Like many other people who stutter, James Earl would stretch out or repeat sounds. His classmates laughed at him—and so, little by little, he stopped talking.

    But then came that night in 1941, when he ran through the snowstorm to save his uncle Randy. Knowing that he had to speak, James Earl forced his heart to slow down and finally got the words out. The doctor was called, and Randy recovered.

    Still, it would be years before James Earl broke out of his silence for good.

    John Henry and Maggie’s hopes came true: The kids went to good schools in Michigan. In high school, James Earl read poems he loved. He began writing his own poems.

    He was a good writer—maybe too good. Reading one of James Earl’s poems, his teacher accused him of copying it.

    “To prove you wrote it, get up in front of the class and say it by heart, out loud,” the teacher said.

    Shaking with fear, James Earl stood. And the words came out smoothly.

    James Earl learned something: His stutter mostly went away when he said written words out loud. Knowing this helped him start to talk again. 

    John Henry and Maggie’s hopes came true: The kids went to good schools in Michigan. In high school, James Earl read poems he loved and began writing his own poetry.

    He was a good writer—maybe too good. After reading one of James Earl’s poems, his teacher accused him of copying it.

    “To prove you wrote it, get up in front of the class and say it by heart, out loud,” the teacher commanded.

    Trembling with fear, James Earl stood up—and to his astonishment, the words flowed out smoothly.

    After eight years of silence, James Earl had made a life-changing discovery: His stutter mostly went away when he said written words aloud.  This knowledge helped him begin talking again. 

1. Don’t finish the person’s sentence or fill in their words for them. Calmly wait for them to finish.

2. Avoid saying “Slow down,” “Relax,” or “Start over.” Even if you’re trying to be encouraging,  you may actually be making them feel pressured.

3. Make eye contact and nod when they’re speaking. This shows that you’re listening to what’s being said, not how it’s being said. 

4. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, simply say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that.” This is better than pretending you understood.

1. Don’t finish the person’s sentence or fill in their words for them. Calmly wait for them to finish.

2. Avoid saying “Slow down,” “Relax,” or “Start over.” Even if you’re trying to be encouraging,  you may actually be making them feel pressured.

3. Make eye contact and nod when they’re speaking. This shows that you’re listening to what’s being said, not how it’s being said. 

4. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, simply say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that.” This is better than pretending you understood.

1. Don’t finish the person’s sentence or fill in their words for them. Calmly wait for them to finish.

2. Avoid saying “Slow down,” “Relax,” or “Start over.” Even if you’re trying to be encouraging,  you may actually be making them feel pressured.

3. Make eye contact and nod when they’re speaking. This shows that you’re listening to what’s being said, not how it’s being said. 

4. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, simply say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that.” This is better than pretending you understood.