The Adjustment Negro
As we roam this earth, interacting with this beautiful mosaic that we call The Human Race, we are constantly in search of true comfort. When you’re comfortable, you’re contented, safe and free of vexation. Just look at the proportion of notable historical events can be attributed to our desire for comfort. We find comfort in wealth, … Read more
The Land of No Code-Switch
The racial composition of my office is pretty diverse. This means that everyone employs some behavioral adjustments to better communicate with one another and exhibit some cultural sensitivity. Of course people slip up, which is why I’ve posted so much on this blog. It’s always interesting to witness people in specific demographics change their behavior when they are surrounded … Read more
It’s For You
When I walk into work, the professionalism is on full throttle. I even code-switch when I’m eating with my peers at lunch, because the way that I normally talk is really Black, peppered with expansive vocabulary of course. The majority of my White coworkers would literally not understand me if I spoke “normally”. Either that, or they’d spend … Read more
The Man on the Elevator
A month ago, I was waiting for the elevator in the first floor lobby at work. The entrance to the cafeteria is also on the first floor, so several people were walking towards the lobby with food in their hands. Their was a tall, middle-aged, Black man among the crowd. He was yelling across the … Read more
When the Tables Turned
Most people alter their behavior and vernacular according to the environment they’re in. Black people code-switch, or alter their behavior, to better communicate with the majority. Turning on the code-switch keeps Becky from being distracted by how you talk, and keeps her focused what you actually have to say. Even though I see and interact … Read more
The Black Nod
I was eating some breakfast in the break-room today. One of my Black coworkers, Tanya, walked past and said, “Hi.” In turn, I gave her a nod. A nod that was directed vertically, unlike the downward direction of the traditional nod. The Black Nod. I didn’t even think twice about it, but apparently Tanya … Read more
