68 - Between Two Voices: Understanding Code-Switching

Failed to add items

Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.

Add to basket failed.

Please try again later

Add to wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Remove from wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Adding to library failed

Please try again

Follow podcast failed

Unfollow podcast failed

68 - Between Two Voices: Understanding Code-Switching

Listen for free

View show details

Between Two Voices: Understanding Code-Switching Welcome back to Blended! Today, we're talking about code-switching. A couple of episodes ago, my panel and I were talking about intersectionality, this phrase come up and, I have to admit, I hadn't heard it before. It's one of the things I love about Blended, it always throws up something new. And I thought that, if it was new to me, it might be new to some of you as well. So we wanted to give code-switching its own deep dive. Today we'll be talking about what it means, why it happens, the hidden toll of sacrificing personal authenticity to fit in – and what we can do to create inclusive environments for everyone. IN THIS EPISODE: [00.54] Introductions to our Blended panelists. · Leah – Author · Jeff – Community Consultant and Executive Producer and Host of Beats, Rhymes y Comunidad podcast · Dr Lola – ERG Strategist and Founder and Executive Director at Immigrants in Corporate [06.22] The group explore what code-switching means and why it happens, and share some personal examples. · Inauthenticity · Altered: o Mannerisms o Dress o Language o Body Language Context · Perception · Acceptance · Bias · Conscious/unconscious · Professionalism/credibility · Intent · Stigma · 'Cookie cutter' mold in the workplace · Archetypes – European white male centric · Patriarchy · Impact of 'casual' tech CEO's · Raising children to code-switch · Awareness · Generational differences · Accountability · Too much, or not enough · Socioeconomic impact · Exhaustion · Diversity · Normalization · Fear of change – what are you really afraid of? · Ignorance · Courage to call things out "It's how you alter the way you show up, whether it's in a conversation or an environment, from your mannerisms, your body language, the way you dress. Anything that's an inauthentic version of yourself that you're presenting in an effort to gain approval or acceptance." Jeff "I was raised on it… It was expected of us. This is what you do to adjust, to do the best you can to eliminate bias and assimilate into what's acceptable." Leah "It's changing. I'm being more intentional about creating a code of my own, because there's been too much stigma around how we show up – especially in the workplace." Jeff "It's a burden, a backpack of rocks. But, after a while, we get used to it." Leah "As a black woman in America, you can't talk about this without talking about race and gender… Sometimes code-switching becomes armor… but it's exhausting." Dr Lola "Sometimes when we think about change it can get so big that you retreat, it almost feels impossible. Then I realized it just had to start with me... If you check yourself each time you're afraid and ask yourself, 'what about that bothers me so much?,' then you're creating an atmosphere that allows people to be themselves." Leah [42.13] The panel reflect on the mental health impacts of code-switching, and how it shows up in community. · Identity · Shrinking yourself · Belonging · Code-switching with ill-intent · Recognition · Permission · Setting the tone · Culture · Forcing people to conform "We talk about the word belong, but we don't actually interrogate what that requires." Jeff "How do we attract a different culture? If people are code-switching – intentionally or unintentionally – it's because something about that environment has told them they need to." Dr Lola [57.19] The group discuss responsibility and who should take ownership of code-switching. · Leadership · Safe spaces · Empathy · Grace · Understanding · Support · Curiosity · Allyship · Boundaries · Education · Open dialogue · Power · Visibility "The leader has a responsibility to set the tone. I think, as individuals, we're always going to need to code-switch to a certain extent, but you shouldn't have to code-switch consistently, to your detriment." Dr Lola [01.06.56] The panel share ideas for what leaders can do to tackle code-switching in the workplace. · Training · Impact of AI ...

No reviews yet