In order to exist as Black women in this society (or our workplace, or our school environments) we often have to struggle with code switching. It often underlies much of our engagement and undermines our ability to perceive ourselves as fully authentic and empowered.
Code switching can be broadly defined as altering the way you present yourself in order to be perceived as more acceptable in a given space.
Given that it is a survival tactic for many marginalized and/or minoritized individuals, code switching often happens on a subconscious level. It is something we often engage in automatically, learn from a young age that this behavior is expected of us, and accept as standard practice.
That is of course, until we begin to question the systems that thrive on our continued oppression.
Somewhere along the way, many of us came to understand that code switching is how you (attempt to) avoid being stereotyped and stigmatized for showing your true self in front of certain “company.”
So what does code switching look like?
The first thing that typically comes to mind in terms of code switching is altering your speech patterns, vocabulary, tone of voice/inflection, volume etc. under certain circumstances in order to “fit in”, blend into the background, or not draw undue attention to your differences from the rest of the group you are around.
However, code switching is also so much more than how you speak.
It can also include the name you choose to go by in certain places, or unspoken aspects such as how you style your hair and how you adorn your body (e.g. nails, jewelry, clothes, makeup). Code switching can also look like smiling more often than you ordinarily would/what feels natural for you and going out of your way to appear polite, friendly, and approachable- in other words, not as an “angry Black woman”.
For a quick visual, imagine yourself putting on a mask, squeezing yourself into a box that is too small/not the right shape, or leaving the most vibrant/valuable pieces of yourself in the car before you step inside your workplace.
In a more tangible example, many of us have had to agonize over the question “how should I wear my hair to this job interview?”
Many of us may have chosen to straighten or slick back our hair, as our natural coils have been categorized by mainstream society as unkempt, unprofessional, or radical. After we may have made this choice, there comes the further deliberation of when to introduce our natural hair to the environment after we have been hired. Either option comes with its own set of risks, whether it is the time and money spent if we choose to conform/perform, or the wondering in the back of our minds about how our Black womanhood is being perceived when we do not.
When and why code switching shows up
Code switching often seems to be the natural inclination when the expectations to perform up to the standards of professionalism are the strongest.
These standards are prone to becoming subjective and favoring Eurocentric, patriarchal, and heteronormative expectations- particularly as it pertains to speech, “politeness” or interpersonal interactions, and style of dress/personal expression.
It is important to acknowledge the distinction between “professional” and “appropriate”.
In some spaces it may not be “appropriate” to dress or speak or act exactly as you would around loved ones/when we are alone AND we can be curious about the origins of these social and societal norms.
We often don’t take time to really notice what we are doing, but we subconsciously hold on to and navigate these complexities.
Ask yourself, though- what do you fear that it says about you if you don’t code switch?
Commonly, we fear that it will reveal to the world that who we are is not enough- not smart or educated enough, not acceptable enough, not worthy; or alternatively that who we are is “too much”- too loud, too distracting, too “ghetto” (because somewhere along the line someone with power decided this is an adjective and not a location….)
This world values the mainstream/colonized knowledge more than our lived experiences, but you know and I know that they are still valid, and more often than not we are actually holding both concepts within us (ie the learned/taught and the lived).
It may seem as though any facial expression, tone of voice, or refusal to acquiesce an inconvenient social request could potentially count as another strike against you, or evidence that you are *insert any violent stereotype here* (maybe uneducated, angry, lazy, intimidating, threatening)… Thus, we may code switch to avoid being seen as the negative portrayals that exist of us, and to attempt to escape further ostracization.
One could argue that due to our position in society as Black women, Indigenous women, and women of color, these portrayals and perceptions will always be present to some extent (at least for now).
Therefore, let us imagine what could happen if we showed up naturally and authentically, or at least comfortably, from the beginning.
What if we decided to start now?
Consider this, is the fight to avoid being perceived as any of the harmful stereotypes that exist against us at all times a battle we can win?
People with more social power in mainstream society are most likely going to view you how they view you, but how you view yourself is what matters (for the most part!). We cannot completely dismantle/erase/reverse oppressive systems overnight. A first step that is within our control is to act in a way that you can be proud of or at least does not diminish your sense of self/worth.
Both options- to code switch or not to code switch- have consequences, but one path offers you internal freedom and authenticity regardless of the opinions of others.
The cost of code switching with no balance….
Many of us grew up hearing some version of the Black tax concept– or the expectation that we will always have to work twice as hard to get half of the respect of our white counterparts (and maybe even more so for Black women!). In the name of intersectionality, I’d like to give a shout out to my fellow Black women who are also introverts.
The performance of politeness can be uniquely exhausting for people who identify as introverts, as certain social interactions are often draining, and talking for the sake of talking can be frustrating and confusing. We must always be conscious of how we take up space- be (what others consider) polite, and speak up- but of course not too much- just enough for the comfort of others, at the expense of our own. We end up engaging in more labor than just doing our jobs at work. Further, people with additional intersecting identities, such as neurodivergence, have an extra load to carry in terms of code switching.
I get it, we all need to “get this bread” to exist in the unfortunate capitalistic hamster wheel that has become our society. What is somewhat objectively appropriate for work or school may not always be what is the most comfortable or authentic for us, and some trade offs and balances will always have to be made. That is to say, we may always have to put on a little bit of a front, or do a little bit of shifting during work hours in order to keep the jobs that are required for us to earn a living in the current societal structure.
However, the extent to which we code switch, or hide valid parts of our identity, culture, and humanity, is always a choice that is ours to make.
This is why these days so many Black women are proudly saying that they prefer to work from home, for themselves, or in the company of others with shared identities- and I love that for us.
Alternatively, if we do not have such luxury yet, the practice of code switching may offer us momentary protection or comfort, or at least the ability to fly under the radar enough to survive/live to fight another day. However, there are consequences to code switching which are similar to the costs of overall not being your authentic self. These consequences can range from emotional, to spiritual, to financial.
Sometimes, the costs of extreme code switching outweigh the benefits of attempting to blend into the background.
Weighing the costs and benefits and determining the sacrifice you are willing to make is a completely personal and contextual decision.
You have several options in determining your course of action. Do you want to just “do you” at all times and make sure that you become real familiar with HR in your environment, or is it easier to just go through the motions and not make waves at work/school for the most part? Not everyone deserves to know and be in the presence of the “real” you and that is always fine.
Do you want to speak out against systems that are harmful and unfair in the establishments you are a part of?
Do you want to be a trail blazer and break barriers for those who will come into these spaces behind you?
Or will you cultivate your own garden first and just make it through the day?
Any of these choices are valid.
Understanding your capacity so that you can continue on is important. Further, the reality is that there is often a little bit of it all along our paths.
Important navigational questions when determining the place of code switching in your life can include:
—Do you want the approval of someone or something that requires you to alter the core of your identity to be accepted? Is what you gain worth your “soul” (in many aspects of the word)?
—Something I consider for myself is, do my actions/what I allow/what I am seeking equate to sitting at a table Jesus would have flipped?
Truthfully there is no right (or wrong) answer.
The point is simply not to lose yourself in the performance.
Make sure that whatever you do, at the end of the day when you take your “public” mask off, that you are able to like and accept and hold and be proud of who remains/ you see…that you hold her gently and regard her highly— balance, authenticity.
Maybe you hadn’t considered that there is a cost.
So take a moment to reflect on the last time you were in this situation, where you code switched.
What did it feel like?
Where do you notice that in your body?
What do you need to do to relieve the pressure?
What is most important is that you get some insight into your current experiences and choices, and then use that insight to improve your relationship with yourself, others, and this world.
So what can you do instead of or in addition to code switching?
Gaining insight into our actions can help empower us to own up to those choices or choose differently.
**Disclaimer/acknowledgement– it isn’t always safe and it may not always feel safe to be your full authentic self- systemic oppression is unfortunately still real in our society, historical trauma is valid. We know this and it is always ok to protect yourself…
Therefore, maybe you aren’t ready to or it is simply not feasible to quit code switching cold turkey— it takes a lot of vulnerability to display your full self to people and spaces that might not accept you. You can take a smaller step by considering how to offset the impact of consistent/pressured code switching. Here is a hint- (everyone’s tolerance is different and that is ok!!)
Let me reiterate- it is ok to not always be your full self at work because you have created a work life balance where your needs are fulfilled outside of that space.
Take some time to notice/reflect on the following… 
-What is your first introduction to code switching?
-How did you feel about yourself in that moment?
-How do you feel about yourself when you do it now (do you still notice)?
-How do you feel about the fact that in some spaces it is “necessary”?
All reactions and feelings are valid and worthy of care and attention.
Sometimes, we might be the only one of “us” (whatever identity is immediately salient) that some people know in real life, it is reasonable to feel pressure to combat stereotypes in the media.
It is a lot of pressure to stand up to hundreds of years of societal conditioning/determination to only hold you with a certain regard AND this does not have to be your job.
You do not owe it to anyone (your oppressor or anyone who has determined within themselves to misunderstand you) to educate them or to be who/what/how they want you to be for their comfort.
You can be you and that is enough.
Authenticity and empowerment is not simply the opposite of code switching.
In actuality, life is more like a continuum.
You don’t have to navigate the world defenseless.
If code switching is a means of survival and a protective measure, in certain situations, it may be enough to acknowledge when you are doing it and to take ownership of this decision and then offset the cost by being as free as possible in all of the spaces that support you doing so.
You don’t have to do this alone!
This is why it is so important to find a therapeutic space where you do not have to keep up appearances, prove yourself, or hide. Gaining insight and confidence in these spaces are a way to work on showing up in your everyday life without as much code switching– or determining the balance that is right for you to offset the cost you pay when you do engage.
I would be happy to hold that kind of space for you and go on this journey with you.
The Worth, Wisdom and Wellness Center provides Trauma & EMDR therapy, Therapy for Perfectionism and Low Self-esteem, Therapy for Anxiety and Depression, and Faith-Based Therapy to Black women and Women of Color.
If you are located in the state of Georgia* and interested in starting your healing journey, you can follow any of the steps below.
- Contact us to schedule your first appointment and learn more about our services.
- Review our About Us page to learn more about our trauma trained providers.
- Review our FAQs page to learn more about therapy at our center.
We look forward to being a part of your healing journey.
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