Code Switch | Hard conversations that need to be had.

"You're looking at the launch of a new team covering race, ethnicity and culture at NPR. We decided to call this team Code Switch because much of what we'll be exploring are the different spaces we each inhabit and the tensions of trying to navigate between them. In one sense, code-switching is about dialogue that spans cultures. It evokes the conversation we want to have here / We're looking at code-switching a little more broadly: many of us subtly, reflexively change the way we express ourselves all the time. We're hop-scotching between different cultural and linguistic spaces and different parts of our own identities — sometimes within a single interaction." - How Code-Switching Explains the World By Gene Demby

Code Switch is a weekly podcast focusing on "The overlapping themes of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture" published by NPR. It is cohosted by Shereen Marisol Meraji and Gene Demby it also stars the voices of Karen Grigsby Bates, Leah Donnella, Steve Drummond,  Jess Kung, and Natalie Escobar. For a list of Cast and Crew.

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are three unnecessary deaths in a much larger trend. Simply speaking police brutality is one of many byproducts of a society that was built on the notion of white supremacy. For too long have many white Americans, myself included, been ignorant of the systemic oppression of BIPOC among other minorities. Breaking down the systems of oppression so that we can live in a egalitarian society is a difficult and arduous path but is one that we must take for a better society. Because of this I wanted to use my voice and my Platform not only to lift up Black voices but also to find ways to educate myself and others about the issues that BIPOC face in America. I understand that some dislike "political" discussion but these issues expand further then partisan rhetoric. For more podcast recommendations I suggest this fantastic article by Elle.com

Like many other talk shows on the web like Flash Forward or Adam Ruins Everything code switch focuses on a singular topic per episode but manages to touch on a variety of subjects throughout its catalogue.  From unpacking the invisible rucksack in "Can we Talk about Whiteness?" to the lack of Asian representation on television in "I don't know if I like this, but I want it to win". CS manages to deal with the racial issues of many different ethnicities. CS also deals with both modern issues(such as the Pulse Nightclub Shooting, ("How LGBTQ People of Color Are Dealing With Orlando"), and the recent BLM protests, ("A Decade of Watching Black People Die")), as well as historical looks into the lives of historical POC ("Re-Remembering Mohammed Ali", "I'm Not Black, I'm OJ" ). Along with discussing modern issues there is a fantastic focus on intersectionality discussing how the hosts and guest different identities play into are perceptions of Race, Gender, Sexuality and Class. Code Switch runs the gambit in racial issues and history.

Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji are both complex, fascinating hosts and it is always a pleasure listening to their thoughts and experiences. I also enjoyed hearing from senior correspondent Karen Grigsby Bates, (who reminds me of Delilah weirdly enough). CS has several editors and interns all who make their appearances but for most of the episodes involve either Demby and Meraji. Another great aspect of the show are their guest stars and correspondents from Activists and Civil Servants to Reporters and Editors, (I particularly enjoyed Bilal Qureshi's Interview). CS also features notable POC in a few episodes such as Feminist Author Mikki Kendall ("What does 'Hood Feminism' Mean For A Pandemic") and American Chef Samin Nosrat ("Salt Fat Acid Race"). NPR is a household name in the fields of journalism and reporting and you can see that the quality of the show lives up to the name.

Code Switch is a thoughtful and nuanced look into many of the racial issues and experiences in America. Fantastic Hosts, thought provoking journalism and its topicality all provide a excellent podcast for a diverse and egalitarian America.

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All Lives Won't Matter until Black Lives Matter.

If you can please consider donating to the cause. Provided below are a variety of links for Donation, Self-Education, and Support

https://blacklivesmatter.com/
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13881522/this-list-of-books-films-and-podcasts-about-racism-is-a-start-not-a-panacea
https://www.manrepeller.com/2020/06/black-lives-matter-resources.html
https://youtu.be/WKo8OrBdLz8
https://blackoutbuddyread.com/