Code Switching: A Matter of Self Preservation by robin holder

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Code Switching is an innovative, often obligatory, strategy of successfully navigating a society which is dominated by "White" references, privileged and empowered. We edit our speech patterns and tone, modify our vocabulary, lessen our exuberance, pare down our body language and change our hair styles.

robin holder

Code Switching: A Matter of Self Preservation

Monoprint, archival inkjet print, drawing, digital collaging

50 x 30 x 0 in

Signature: bottom front of image

Our society’s parameters and conventions for acceptable conduct largely mirror the behavior of Caucasian American culture who are largely unaware of the complexities of prejudice and discrimination that most BIPOC and immigrant people regularly encounter.
Almost all successful people of color practice code switching. It is an innovative strategy of successfully navigating the workplace, society and social platforms. We shift our vocal tonality, grammar, so as to not intimidate or be stereotyped as “less than”. We self-edit our speech patterns and tone, modify our vocabulary, lessen our exuberance, pare down our body language and change our hair styles.

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From robin holder

Code Switching: Necessary For Success

Monoprint, archival inkjet print, drawing, digital collaging

50 x 30 in

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Code Switching: Necessary For Success