Why black people won’t go anywhere in their careers without code-switching

Code-switching is when an outcast of a group changes the way they act in order to fit into that group. This can be an unconscious decision as well as a conscious one. When you read this the first thing that might come to your mind may be kids when they’re trying to be cool, or people at work when they’re trying to be cool.

Black people often do this in the workplace because… well, we don’t have a choice. If we were to be ourselves then we’d be in a minimum wage warehouse job. In order to survive a white workplace we have to act a little white.

Don’t talk black

You can use slang sometimes but it better not be that shit that comes out of the hood. If people hear you say that shit then they’re going to assume you’re from the hood, even if you live in a nice neighbourhood and went to a fancy school.

They’re also not going to take you seriously. Using typical black slang will make people think you’re unprofessional, even when the in the office white people are swearing and using slang as well.

If you want to be respected in a white workplace then you’re going to have to speak as they do. They see it as the proper way to speak, and anyone who communicates differently is seen as dumb in their eyes no matter what…