If there was revenue for every-time I’ve heard one of my friends/family rag on me about me “telephone voice”, no doubt I’d be that someone who’s never heard of inflation. It’s not that I don’t like the ragging, I encourage it honestly. No, it’s truly just knowing they couldn’t even begin to understand how much code-switching is a daily routine. Let’s say I’m in an “all eyes on me” situation, I’m making sure the eyes on them can relate with mine before I start letting that home comfortability surface. I love where I’m from, as should the rest of US. Our culture is proud, and proud unapologetically. So why should we determine whether to let our pride fluctuate? When is the right opportunity to show it so they know it?
We’re trying to avoid unnecessary drama, daily. If the location doesn’t match my kind of situation, then you won’t get ME, I have goals I want to accomplish. Take it from a military veteran, there’s always a high possibility you’ll encounter someone who has never encountered YOU. Code-switching will have you trying to figure out what’s acceptable where you’re at, sure. It’ll save some people, too. My time in the service taught me a lot; stress management takes a hit every so often. I know I have some brothers and sisters here who can relate– this is that sign we were looking for to find each other. We must thrive to survive. That means code switching to US is essentially handling our risk management skills on a case-by-case basis. However, we have limitations. We know it’s unhealthy to care about what anyone thinks of us, with the caveat “easier said than done” will always be attached to this sentiment. Let’s eliminate the negative connotation to code-switching, put this rant into reverse, if you will.
Fact: it is important to get any environment that we exist in, comfortable with US. Our daily contributions to the community we chose should be celebrated together, not separately because of an assigned area code. This is truly not the day and age to keep accepting division; we’ve seen the playbook. The goal is to become comfortable where you’re at, make it home. We SHOULD be able to US, unapologetically at any given time or situation. Find confidence, practice it. If you’re from the South it should sing from you, let it resonate. If you’re from the North, they should love seeing it as much as they love hearing it. The coasts will never admit it, but they mirror each other; it should feel like the first time we see one of US, I’ll say it one last time, you know exactly what I mean.
There’s comedy to code switching, but there’s beauty in it too. It’s something to respect, even if not understood. One more superpower WE possess, and we can just add it to the list of our versatility and accomplishments to be celebrated. I’d like to think that some of us can say it allowed them to meet their lifelong friends; that mirrors what it’s done for me. I know it puts some of us in some prime positions, only secondary to the extra work and sleepless nights to get there; there’s accreditation to be admired overall.
It’s harder as a veteran coming to terms with the possibility it saved some of our lives. Friendly veteran advice: everywhere ain’t friendly. Let’s change it around, make it our benefit. Home should feel like home no matter where it is. Be the Blackest you can be in your city, there are people there that support it. Play your theme song before you go into work, you’ve still earned your respect. This world will always be a better place thanks to U.S., let’s not forget that. As always, WE are unbiased, unafraid, and unshakeable, so WE shall remain.