Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.
– William Shakespeare
Many of us use code-switching daily. We code-switch by changing our language and suppressing our culture. African Americans are accustomed to being told we “can’t act that way” around specific people or at work. By “that way” it is meant that we cannot show our true selves because, if we do, we will not be accepted. African Americans are expected to change depending on the “company” cultural norms and terminology. We are outwardly told not to use that “‘hood’ stuff” in certain settings because the vernacular language and cultural norms of our community may not be embraced by others.
One common example of code-switching in the workplace is the potluck luncheon. In many workplaces, potluck lunches – where everybody brings a dish for all to enjoy – are the norm. In the African American community, however, many do not feel comfortable eating just anyone’s home cooking. To feel comfortable, we first want to see the cleanliness of your kitchen. We may then be perceived as being abrasive or not being “team players” at work. This scenario may cause African Americans to code-switch. Perhaps, for our lack of participation to be viewed as acceptable, we might say we are full. Or we might get a plate, select some items publicly, and later throw it away discreetly. I usually get a plate, shuffle the food around and, without ever tasting it, comment on its deliciousness.
We learn to code-switch at a young age. When I entered my first segregated school in Alabama in the 70’s my teachers repeatedly told me to speak “proper” English. By “proper” they meant not using slang or cultural colloquialisms, especially when talking to my white or non – African American peers. As a young person this felt like my community language was less than acceptable. Little did I know, I was being taught to code-switch – to change my behavior, language, and appearance in order to assimilate.
Code-switching is divided into two types: language-based and culture-based.
“Cultural code-switching is similar, but not only limited to language. It could refer to other cultural expressions as well—style of dress, physical mannerisms, and other forms of self-presentation.” For example, I wear a lot of Nike athleisure. Nike athleisure would be viewed as culturally inappropriate in a predominantly white work environment. I code-switch by dressing differently at work and other professional events. Strangely many at work say they cannot picture me wearing athleisure. Conversely, my African American friends often say they only know me to wear athletic gear.
Research shows African Americans and Hispanic Americans — particularly younger, college-educated African Americans — feel the need to code-switch or change their behaviors around their white colleagues.
What does code-switching do to your mental health?
We might think we can seamlessly code-switch without consequences. However, research shows that code-switching affects our mental health. Routine code-switching can also plant the seeds for chronic imposter syndrome.
“Webster’s dictionary defines imposter syndrome as ” “internal experience of intellectual phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement.” To put it simply, imposter syndrome is the voice in your head that says you’re not good enough and that you’re a fake, on the verge of being found out. This may sound like low self-esteem, but it is very different and more complex.
Imposter Syndrome is feeling “I don’t belong here”, wherever “here” is for you: the office, your college, in the boardroom leading a team. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are, how much experience you have or how many people give you positive feedback. With imposter syndrome, you can’t shake the notion that you’re just not as capable as others believe you to be and that you’re doomed to fail.
This isn’t just an imaginary voice in our heads. We receive almost daily messages from society that we don’t truly belong.
People of color, are particularly vulnerable to this debilitating feeling. For us, imposter syndrome isn’t just an imaginary voice in our heads. We hear it loud and clear when society indicates that we truly don’t belong.
This feeling of being a ‘unicorn’ or ‘purple elephant’ (in other words, something seldom seen) is a common occurrence in the workplace where, too often, there is only one African American.
When there is another person of color at a work conference, we beeline to meet each other, excited to have company that looks like us. This feeling of being “other” follows us all day, every day. We feel it when we are being followed by security while shopping. We feel it when we turn on the TV and can’t find an African American sitcoms. We feel it when we watch movies and do not see Black main characters (that is why Black Panther felt like such a phenomenon!). Countless times, my coworkers have recommended great books to read, but they are never written by African American authors and never feature African American characters and topics. The world ― both outright and subliminally― tells us we don’t belong and that we’re not good enough. The message is that our successes just happened to us, and weren’t because of merit or talent.
I recently heard an interview with André 3000 from Outkast. André said he didn’t think he was a great rapper. I was astonished, as he is considered by many to be one of the best rappers of all time. I wonder if he has imposter syndrome?
African Americans regularly deal with microaggressions from others. But we are also our own aggressors, filling ourselves with negative internal dialogue. Imposter syndrome causes us to so deeply internalize the lies society tells us, that we begin repeating them to ourselves.
If you are a person of color who is struggling with imposter syndrome, remind yourself of your achievements.
And if your brain will not yet let you believe in them, look at the achievements of in others from your background. It is likely you have superseded many of those. Recognize that you are experiencing widespread imposter syndrome and then reject it. Trust that talent and effort go hand-in-hand and that it takes hard work to succeed. Your success is largely the result of your hard work! Accepting this fact does not mean you lack humility. But it does enable the world to see your light and empowers others to follow.
“The first and most important person you must believe in is yourself.” – Toni Sorenson
