Code Switching

Are you the same person at work as you are at home or around your friends? You probably aren’t. Workplaces almost always require a certain kind of attitude that reflects professionalism and respect. And there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with that! However, for many black, indigenous, and people of color, the need to alter who you are at work is essential to survival. Many BIPOC have developed strategies, which has collectively become known as code-switching, to help them navigate difficult workplaces. Here to talk to us about why code-switching exists and what effects it has on BIPOC is licensed social worker and mental health expert Kyaien Conner.