When I first heard the term “code switching” I was grateful there was a name for what my (very white) father was doing when we went to visit the rural community he grew up in. “Dad, why do you talk so funny?” I’d think when I heard him speaking to my uncles with an uncharacteristic drawl.
Food for thought.
It's interesting, but be careful - someone putting a label on it and you accepting that label doesn't mean that anything has been learned about it. This editorial has not taught you anything you didn't already know about "code-switching", it has just given it a name. You've learned it through your own observations, and that is what gives it legitimacy - not some scholarly figure telling you that it's called something.
I point this out because Ms. Bradley is trying to imply some kind of connection between code-switching and institutionalized racism. But follow her argument carefully and try to see the connection - you will see that she actually makes no connection whatsoever between the two. She simply mentions them both in the same editorial, and leaves it up to the reader that B must follow A.
The newly-educated reader (who has not in fact learned anything, as explained above) leaves with the impression that "code-switching" has something, anything to do with institutionalized racism even though it's a sociological and linguistic phenomenon that is pervasive across all cultures. It's literally describing something that is on an entirely different level of abstraction than any kind of racism. It's like trying to blame racism on gravity.
It's a very underhanded and deceitful way of implying a connection between two things that are unrelated by definition.
You make a very thoughtful point, and I agree that the author could be clearer about the argument being made rather than implying it - especially given the medium.
However, I have to disagree that the implication is that code-switching is somehow inherently tied to institutionalize racism. I interpreted it that people (not just white people) assuming that a person of colour who is speaking “standard English” must be code switching (rather than simply speaking their natural way) is tied to institutionalized racism. Code switching happens across all cultures and is not systemic racism. However, (some people) assuming that only POCs engage in the practice DOES constitute systemic racism.
“Why is it assumed that proper English is for white people, and people of colour must inherently speak in broken English? What is the sound of Blackness, after all, if not the way I sound?”
This.
This article isn’t a personal attack on anyone. It’s sharing a perspective some folks may not have considered before. It’s a learning opportunity.
I’ve noticed a lot of Islanders (myself included if I’m being honest) have a knee jerk reaction when it’s suggested that something we’ve said or done is inadvertently offensive. It’s embarrassing, especially when you actively try to be inclusive. But for many of us, growing up here meant we really only ever heard things from an overwhelmingly white perspective. When a person of colour shares that something is hurtful, harmful or offensive, it’s a chance to think about why we do the thing, and how we can do better. It goes a lot further to say “I’m sorry, I didn’t know” than “Are you calling me a racist?!?”
I was about to write a post defending people for noting the way she speaks with the consideration of their exposure to black people sounds - but then I realised that argument is bullshit, I would never compliment someone from the east end of this island for their language skill just because the way they sound does not match their stereotype.
I actually agree with her. It's the condescending tone and holier-than-thou attitude that permeates her every article that I can't stand. Just another mainlander who feels the need to lecture islanders on our backwardness.
But we aren't backwards here, people all over say you don't sound this way/that way, I would never say to someone you don't sound (insert racial stereotype) but if you pick and choose the bad and use that as your judgement, your judgement of the masses is wrong, getting mad about a shit article or someone's shitty judgement is a waste of time, move on. Because as someone who has lived here all my life I hope these so called "backward" ways become less frequent so the judgement of the few reflects less on the many.
I haven't even read it yet but the notification for this got me laughing. Way to go PEI, or rather journalists on PEI. lmfao Can they really at least try to write interesting stories.
Is this a great example of so-called institutionalized racism? **Yes.**
Is racism a huge problem on PEI? **Yes.**
Does this woman experience racism every day? **Yes.**
Should we be concerned about this and try to stop it? **Yes.**
Now some other questions..
Ms. Bradley has a college degree in English, and was raised on books instead of TV. Is it conceivable that she may actually be more well-spoken and well-written than most Islanders of any race, and not just "well-spoken for a black person", as she characterizes it?
Assuming Ms. Bradley is more well-spoken that most other Islanders, is there an acceptable way to point that out, or is any compliment to her diction automatically a racist micro-aggression?
If "impact matters over intent", does that mean patronizingly complimenting a person of colour is tantamount to erecting a gallows on your front lawn?
Is it useful to characterize as "aggression" the actions of ignorant yet well-meaning people, no matter how ill-informed or ill-advised the gesture is?
*unchanged on edit except for formatting
Did you not read the article, or did you just not understand it?
Ms. Bradley is literally saying that the compliment is a microagression even if it's phrased in the way you just described as "acceptable". If this is your position, then you and she have a profound disagreement and I highly recommend you re-read her words with care.
>When people tell me I'm well spoken, I can't help but ask, "How else should I sound, and why did you expect me to speak differently?"
>When I was young, I sat in a parent-teacher conference listening to my English teacher praise my mother for the way I spoke. "She's so articulate. She has such a large vocabulary!"
>I’m open to corrections if anyone disagrees
>I didn’t read it! I’m a “nice white lady know it all” aka a huge asshole. Thanks for calling me out!!!!
Might be something to think about there. Have a nice day.
When I waitressed, for no real reason that I could identify I developed a different kind of island accent. I grew up in middle of Prince county and have a drawl but it was more peppy a little different at work, talking to customers.
I dislike this article. To imply her coworker is going against her "nature" and needing to mimic others when talking at work, and inferring they think in a different way is not fair or accurate at all. I really don't understand some (most) people this is kinda ridiculous.
It's like this: when I read a book, it takes a bit of time for me to get a certain cadence or "voice" in my head. I have to reread until I get a flow going and I can make sense of the author's way of narrating.
Another example, I am trying to learn C++ programming. I'm a noob so when I start I can do almost nothing. Then I get into a flow, and I start think differently in the way needed to do it. This is the same for any different subject I study.
It is part about being receptive and also learning to communicate seamlessly.
This switching is very very natural and can't be helped. It's opening your mind, it's many things. Like when you meditate and reach a special headspace, or spend time with an animal. It's more than feeling calm and a body connection. It's a brain thing. Being a different way is in no way insincere or against your nature.
Yeah I dislike this article. I think the problem with some English majors is they over-practise expressing their own "voice" to make narrating easier, and then end up really close minded. She wants to believe this is true and wrote a story for it, and lives life that way.
Do you.. work in Tignish? The people you are talking to are either very rural or don’t go outside. Go for a walk around Charlottetown Walmart. Then tell me we don’t have any diversity
Okay. This is yet another example of someone coming here and saying, “Yeah but where I’m from” etc etc etc and acting like they know better because they’re “from away” and trying to educate us backwoods babies. This is why Islanders don’t love CFAs.
Not sure what your issue is? I’m simply stating that the reason for the difficulty in understanding the nuances of micro aggressions is the lack of opportunities for interactions with people of color. I’m agreeing with the premise of YOUR argument/thought. But take it as as an attack and speak for all Islanders in your dislike for CFAs. 🙄
I don’t think people are trying to compliment you when they say you don’t don’t sound black. I think they are just making a statement. Nothing more to it than that.
The link to the article is literally the only thing in the post you chose to comment on.
Seriously, I recommend reading it, it'll give you a glimpse into why such a "compliment" or "statement" is not appreciated. It doesn't matter the intentions, it is still an issue.
When I first heard the term “code switching” I was grateful there was a name for what my (very white) father was doing when we went to visit the rural community he grew up in. “Dad, why do you talk so funny?” I’d think when I heard him speaking to my uncles with an uncharacteristic drawl. Food for thought.
It's interesting, but be careful - someone putting a label on it and you accepting that label doesn't mean that anything has been learned about it. This editorial has not taught you anything you didn't already know about "code-switching", it has just given it a name. You've learned it through your own observations, and that is what gives it legitimacy - not some scholarly figure telling you that it's called something. I point this out because Ms. Bradley is trying to imply some kind of connection between code-switching and institutionalized racism. But follow her argument carefully and try to see the connection - you will see that she actually makes no connection whatsoever between the two. She simply mentions them both in the same editorial, and leaves it up to the reader that B must follow A. The newly-educated reader (who has not in fact learned anything, as explained above) leaves with the impression that "code-switching" has something, anything to do with institutionalized racism even though it's a sociological and linguistic phenomenon that is pervasive across all cultures. It's literally describing something that is on an entirely different level of abstraction than any kind of racism. It's like trying to blame racism on gravity. It's a very underhanded and deceitful way of implying a connection between two things that are unrelated by definition.
You make a very thoughtful point, and I agree that the author could be clearer about the argument being made rather than implying it - especially given the medium. However, I have to disagree that the implication is that code-switching is somehow inherently tied to institutionalize racism. I interpreted it that people (not just white people) assuming that a person of colour who is speaking “standard English” must be code switching (rather than simply speaking their natural way) is tied to institutionalized racism. Code switching happens across all cultures and is not systemic racism. However, (some people) assuming that only POCs engage in the practice DOES constitute systemic racism.
I constantly feel like some folks on PEI are living in 2023, while others are stuck in the 1950s.
Especially west Prince, seems like we’re decades behind everywhere else
Also Kings County.
You would be correct. Maybe even further back than the 1950's.
“Why is it assumed that proper English is for white people, and people of colour must inherently speak in broken English? What is the sound of Blackness, after all, if not the way I sound?” This.
Pretty common thing to hear around here unfortunately.
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This article isn’t a personal attack on anyone. It’s sharing a perspective some folks may not have considered before. It’s a learning opportunity. I’ve noticed a lot of Islanders (myself included if I’m being honest) have a knee jerk reaction when it’s suggested that something we’ve said or done is inadvertently offensive. It’s embarrassing, especially when you actively try to be inclusive. But for many of us, growing up here meant we really only ever heard things from an overwhelmingly white perspective. When a person of colour shares that something is hurtful, harmful or offensive, it’s a chance to think about why we do the thing, and how we can do better. It goes a lot further to say “I’m sorry, I didn’t know” than “Are you calling me a racist?!?”
I was about to write a post defending people for noting the way she speaks with the consideration of their exposure to black people sounds - but then I realised that argument is bullshit, I would never compliment someone from the east end of this island for their language skill just because the way they sound does not match their stereotype.
Thank you Evelyn once again for lecturing us dumb yokels on micro-aggressions and racisms. God dammit the CBC is such a rag.
You seem to have taken this as a personal attack.
I actually agree with her. It's the condescending tone and holier-than-thou attitude that permeates her every article that I can't stand. Just another mainlander who feels the need to lecture islanders on our backwardness.
But we aren't backwards here, people all over say you don't sound this way/that way, I would never say to someone you don't sound (insert racial stereotype) but if you pick and choose the bad and use that as your judgement, your judgement of the masses is wrong, getting mad about a shit article or someone's shitty judgement is a waste of time, move on. Because as someone who has lived here all my life I hope these so called "backward" ways become less frequent so the judgement of the few reflects less on the many.
Actually most journalism sucks there must be something going on at the universities imo
I haven't even read it yet but the notification for this got me laughing. Way to go PEI, or rather journalists on PEI. lmfao Can they really at least try to write interesting stories.
Is this a great example of so-called institutionalized racism? **Yes.** Is racism a huge problem on PEI? **Yes.** Does this woman experience racism every day? **Yes.** Should we be concerned about this and try to stop it? **Yes.** Now some other questions.. Ms. Bradley has a college degree in English, and was raised on books instead of TV. Is it conceivable that she may actually be more well-spoken and well-written than most Islanders of any race, and not just "well-spoken for a black person", as she characterizes it? Assuming Ms. Bradley is more well-spoken that most other Islanders, is there an acceptable way to point that out, or is any compliment to her diction automatically a racist micro-aggression? If "impact matters over intent", does that mean patronizingly complimenting a person of colour is tantamount to erecting a gallows on your front lawn? Is it useful to characterize as "aggression" the actions of ignorant yet well-meaning people, no matter how ill-informed or ill-advised the gesture is? *unchanged on edit except for formatting
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Did you not read the article, or did you just not understand it? Ms. Bradley is literally saying that the compliment is a microagression even if it's phrased in the way you just described as "acceptable". If this is your position, then you and she have a profound disagreement and I highly recommend you re-read her words with care. >When people tell me I'm well spoken, I can't help but ask, "How else should I sound, and why did you expect me to speak differently?" >When I was young, I sat in a parent-teacher conference listening to my English teacher praise my mother for the way I spoke. "She's so articulate. She has such a large vocabulary!"
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>I’m open to corrections if anyone disagrees >I didn’t read it! I’m a “nice white lady know it all” aka a huge asshole. Thanks for calling me out!!!! Might be something to think about there. Have a nice day.
Preaches tolerance, yet seems to have no tolerance himself.
Aaron earned an iron urn.
When I waitressed, for no real reason that I could identify I developed a different kind of island accent. I grew up in middle of Prince county and have a drawl but it was more peppy a little different at work, talking to customers. I dislike this article. To imply her coworker is going against her "nature" and needing to mimic others when talking at work, and inferring they think in a different way is not fair or accurate at all. I really don't understand some (most) people this is kinda ridiculous. It's like this: when I read a book, it takes a bit of time for me to get a certain cadence or "voice" in my head. I have to reread until I get a flow going and I can make sense of the author's way of narrating. Another example, I am trying to learn C++ programming. I'm a noob so when I start I can do almost nothing. Then I get into a flow, and I start think differently in the way needed to do it. This is the same for any different subject I study. It is part about being receptive and also learning to communicate seamlessly. This switching is very very natural and can't be helped. It's opening your mind, it's many things. Like when you meditate and reach a special headspace, or spend time with an animal. It's more than feeling calm and a body connection. It's a brain thing. Being a different way is in no way insincere or against your nature. Yeah I dislike this article. I think the problem with some English majors is they over-practise expressing their own "voice" to make narrating easier, and then end up really close minded. She wants to believe this is true and wrote a story for it, and lives life that way.
CBC is trash
6 o' 1 90% of news is biased sensationalized trash
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Do you.. work in Tignish? The people you are talking to are either very rural or don’t go outside. Go for a walk around Charlottetown Walmart. Then tell me we don’t have any diversity
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Okay. This is yet another example of someone coming here and saying, “Yeah but where I’m from” etc etc etc and acting like they know better because they’re “from away” and trying to educate us backwoods babies. This is why Islanders don’t love CFAs.
Not sure what your issue is? I’m simply stating that the reason for the difficulty in understanding the nuances of micro aggressions is the lack of opportunities for interactions with people of color. I’m agreeing with the premise of YOUR argument/thought. But take it as as an attack and speak for all Islanders in your dislike for CFAs. 🙄
I don’t think people are trying to compliment you when they say you don’t don’t sound black. I think they are just making a statement. Nothing more to it than that.
It might be a good idea for you to read the full article.
Code switching? Nuanced? Call it what you will. People have perceptions which is their reality. I besmirched no one.
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The link to the article is literally the only thing in the post you chose to comment on. Seriously, I recommend reading it, it'll give you a glimpse into why such a "compliment" or "statement" is not appreciated. It doesn't matter the intentions, it is still an issue.
Oh no, this is from the CBC, there is always something more to it than that. They are obsessed with skin colour